Summary: The evaluation of an artificial intelligence system for estrus detection in sows

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 this week’s Science Page, researchers Steven Verhoeven, Ilias Chantziaras, Elise Bernaerdt , Michel Loicq , Ludo Verhoeven and Dominiek Maes share the results of a study done on the accuracy of estrus detectus using AI technology on three commercial Belgian farms.

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Breeding herd Senecavirus A infection: understanding its persistence

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.

This week, Dr. Guilherme Preis, PhD candidate working with Drs. Cesar Corzo and Fabio Vannucci, shares his latest results about Senecavirus A persistence in sow farms after an outbreak.

Key points

  • Senecavirus A (SVA) continues to be responsible for an important number of FAD investigations.
  • SVA continues to circulate in breeding herds for up 21 weeks after clinical signs had been detected.
  • Heat check boars may contribute to population persistence of this virus. 
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Development of an automated model to capture and analyze whole-herd parameters associated with wean-to-finish mortality

This week, Dr. Linhares’s team from Iowa State University is proposing a model to analyze wean-to-finish mortality based on whole-herd parameters such as farrowing rate, PRRS status or even management factors.

Key Points

  • An automated model was developed to consolidate multiple data streams from weaning cohorts to their respective closeouts.
  • Sow farm productivity and health are highly associated with wean to finish mortality.
  • Sow farm-related data explained 74.1% of the variation observed on wean to finish mortality.
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PRRSv ORF5 difference from VR2332 by herd type

This week, the MSHMP team assessed differences in ORF5 sequences compared to VR2332 based on the type of farm, the sequence was collected at.

Key points

  • Breeding herd sequences differ 8%-16% while in other herd types they differ 1%-15% from VR2332 at the ORF5 level. 
  • The larger nucleotide identity (%) range compared to VR2332 in growing pigs suggests a higher viral diversity within this group.
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Science Page: Assessing the relative vulnerability of swine breeding herds to the introduction of PRRS virus

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.

This week we are sharing a report by Dr. Daniel Linhares’ lab at Iowa State University. The report summarizes the findings of his study regarding the factors making a sow farm vulnerable for PPRS introduction. 

Key Points:

  • A model to quantify and identify biosecurity vulnerability in breeding herds is now available.
  • Events related to swine movements, transmission by air and water, and people movements were the variables most associated with PRRS outbreak.
  • Biosecurity vulnerability scores may help producers/veterinarians prioritize biosecurity investments.

Study Summary:

Herd-specific biosecurity assessments are needed to determine herd-specific risk for PRRS outbreaks. Thus, we developed and validated a biosecurity vulnerability score (BVS) that measures the relative vulnerability of swine breeding herds to PRRSv introduction. The BVS was based on a multi-criteria decision algorithm that ranked risk events associated with outbreaks. A comprehensive biosecurity assessment was used to obtain information of the biosecurity practices from each participating herd. The practices performed in each herd were weighted by the relative importance of each event obtained from an expert opinion panel resulting in a score that identifies the events that should be prioritized. In two independent data sets, the scores consistently revealed that farms with higher scores had a higher frequency of PRRS outbreaks. In addition, results suggest that events related to swine movements,transmission by air and water, and people movements should be prioritized.

Follow-up study:

We are developing a new screening tool to validate the minimum number of questions associated with frequency of PRRS outbreak. Study farms will be asked to fill out a short survey. This can help producers and veterinarians to identify sites at relatively higher risk of PRRSv introduction.

To enroll or to request additional clarification please contact: Gustavo Silva at Iowa State University (gustavos-at-iastate.edu)