February 2024 – Swine in Minnesota

Characterizing dead animal facilities, structures, practices in sow farms

By Brenna Wachtendonk, Igor A.D. Paploski, Dennis N. Makau, Mariana Kikuti, Cesar A. Corzo, and Kimberly VanderWaal, University of Minnesota

Pigs on sow farms die of various causes including some highly contagious diseases. Studies have shown that the odds of a porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome outbreak in farms that perform rendering as a disposal method for dead animals are higher than in farms that perform composting.

Characterization of the dead animal facilities, structures, practices and procedures is then needed to mitigate the risk associated with dead animal removal in sow farms.

Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project (MSHMP) 2023 Summary

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.

We hope you had a great holiday season. Dr. Corzo has summarized some of the MSHMP accomplishments throughout 2023 as well as interesting observations regarding our monitoring work.

Drs. Kikuti and Deen discuss their paper on Processing the Litter-ature

The Swine Disease Eradication Center is proud to present another episode of “Processing the Litter-ature”: a podcast in which peer-reviewed papers are docked, clipped and supplemented with a field perspective.

Drs. Mariana Kikuti and John Deen discuss their paper “Sow mortality in a pig production system in the midwestern USA: Reasons for removal and factors associated with increased mortality.”

Dr. Maria Pieters honored with 2024 Distinguished Service Award by MVMA

Millions of people pass through the CHS Miracle of Bith Center (MOBC) at the Minnesota State Fair each year, likely unaware of the colossal effort it takes to ensure the health and safety of the hundreds of animals born in the exhibit.

Maria Pieters receives the 2024 Distinguished Service Award. Photo credit: Ryan Tibbitts.

Among those caring for animals and supporting more than 100 veterinary students and dozens of volunteer veterinarians on hand to help is Dr. Maria Pieters, an associate professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine. For her dedicated involvement with the exhibit and her passion for its mission, Pieters received the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association’s 2024 Distinguished Service Award.

Join us at the 2024 AASV!

The University of Minnesota will have a strong presence at the 55th American Association of Swine Veterinarians Annual Meeting! Join us in Nashville, Tennessee later this month and hear from these great UMN speakers.