National Hog Farmer – Swine in Minnesota

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.

Invest in a full set of comprehensive processes to fully understand African swine fever risk

To better understand the ASFv spread risk to/from US pork harvest facilities, the Secure Food Systems Team at the University of Minnesota, consisting of Drs. Cesar Corzo, Marie Culhane, Carol Cardona and Timothy Goldsmith, has embarked on a pathway analysis as the first step in that risk assessment process. This first step is required when tackling the often complex and variable methods of moving pork, pork products, byproducts and waste from a harvest facility.

Tackling flu in piglets – What’s your gameplan?

In the January/February issue of National Hog Farmer, University of Minnesota faculty Montse Torremorell and Marie Culhane, along with graduate research assistants Gustavo Lopez and Chong Li explore farm plans to tackle influenza in pigs.

Environmental footprint of pork production discussed

This article was written by Dr. Pedro Urriola, faculty member at the University of Minnesota, published on the National Hog Farmer website on October 14th, 2021.

Days started to be shorter and cooler as the fall season was upon us and with that came the Allen D. Leman Swine Conference and the Minnesota Nutrition Conference. This year, both conferences expanded discussions on the topic of environmental and business sustainability in the pork industry, among other relevant topics. Critical conversations are happening at public institutions, among investors, packers, retailers, and as consumers are demanding a reduction in the environmental impact of animal protein production. This reduction in the environmental footprint of pork production is a goal well understood and actively pursued by pork producers.