Swine in Minnesota

Best of Leman: Igor Paploski and Mark Wagner – Impacts of boosting immunity pre-farrowing on antibodies and PRRS dynamics in nursery pigs

This is our most popular series on the blog. Once a month, we are sharing with you a presentation given at the Allen D. Leman swine conference, on topics that the swine group found interesting, innovative or that lead to great discussions.

Want more? Find previous presentations in our Best of Leman archives.

This presentation was given by Igor Paploski of the University of Minnesota and Mark Wagner of Fairmont Veterinary Clinic during the 2025 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference.

Epidemiological Shift of Aujeszky’s Disease in Argentina: from backyard persistence to endemic threats in large-scale integrated pig farm systems

This is our Friday rubric: every week a new Science Page from the Bob Morrison’s Swine Health Monitoring Project. The previous editions of the science page are available on our website.

In today’s Science Page researchers L. V. Alarcón, M. Machuca, F. Evangelista, P. M. Negrelli, P. Cipriotti, M. Mayr, V. Regalado, M. C. Villat, L. Benito, E. Ortega, R. Ravone, M. Dibarbora, S. M. Serena, H. R. Sanguinetti, M. G. Echeverría, C. J. Perfumo, and E. Mateu share their results of their study looking at Aujeszky’s disease in Argentina.

How do we move the needle on biosecurity?

This article was written by Montse Torremorell of the University of Minnesota for the National Hog Farmer.

At the 2026 meeting of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) I was given the task to present on biosecurity and what we need to do as an industry to “move the needle”. More specifically the ask was about presenting on biosecurity practices that we do, should do or should stop doing to control endemic diseases in pigs. This was not an easy task since the interplay between biosecurity and disease occurrence is complex.

Here are a few messages I shared.

Fourth of July Wishes (and Leman Conference Abstract Reminder)

The UMN Swine Group wishes you a joyful and relaxing Independence Day!

As a reminder, abstracts for the Leman Swine Conference are due one week from today, July 10. We look forward to hearing about your latest research at this year’s conference!

Dr. Perle Zhitnitskiy recognized with the Zoetis Distinguished Teaching Award

Dr. Zhitnitskiy of the UMN Swine Group is at the forefront of integrating new technology into her classroom, a trait that recently earned her the Zoetis Distinguished Teaching Award, the most prestigious teaching honor bestowed by the CVM. Each year, the winners are chosen by faculty and veterinary students.

Two women smile and hold up a framed Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award in a classroom. — Perle Zhitnitskiy (left) accepts the Zoetis Distinguished Teaching Award from College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Laura Molgaard.