National Hog Farmer – Swine in Minnesota

Pigs: A host for a vast array of viruses

By Tom Molitor, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota

The swine industry has changed significantly since 1980 with intensified swine systems, early weaning approaches, three site production systems, AI, (both artificial intelligence and artificial insemination), facility filtration systems and overall enhanced biosecurity. Throughout this time we have witnessed consistent and recurring emerging and reemerging diseases that have impacted the health of swine and affected profitability.

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.

Chasing a moving target

Rapid evolution, molecular surveillance of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.

By Kim VanderWaal, Nakarin Pamornchainavakul, Cesar A. Corzo, Mariana Kikuti, Albert Rovira and Igor Paploski, University of Minnesota

When talking to practitioners, they will tell you that porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome control feels like a moving target. Despite ever-growing investments aimed at preventing between-farm spread, PRRS incidence at the national scale remains relatively steady year-over-year. However, underneath this apparent steady-state, epidemic-like spread events occur every few years with the emergence of novel genetic variants (Figure 1). For instance, the Lineage 1A 1-7-4 virus (blue line) emerged in ~2014 and rapidly spread throughout the country.

U of M researchers lead major African swine fever breakthrough

University of Minnesota researchers recently led successful efforts to work on African swine fever virus (ASFV), developing and validating a surrogate virus for ASFV that will help develop effective mitigation strategies to control ASFV and keep it from entering North America. The disease has devastated pig populations and pork production in countries around the world.

Re-examining lameness

When you think about a sow with lameness, what image leaps to your mind? The classic view is of a sow that is limping as it walks. I would argue that a more accurate portrayal of the lame sow is one that is not walking and is reluctant to get up and walk. Examining the gait of a sow can still predict real problems, but sows are also capable of hiding their lameness or showing different levels of lameness over time.