Of the money that pig producers pay into the pork checkoff program, a portion goes into swine health research. The Swine Health Information Center launched in 2015 to protect the U.S. swine herd from animal disease threats.
On their radar these last few years has been the Japanese encephalitis virus, which can infect both pigs and people. Lisa Becton is the associate director of the Swine Health Information Center, which has recently funded six new projects to enhance prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and response capabilities for JEV.
JEV is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitos. It can cause reproductive failure, abortions, and stillbirths or weak piglets in swine breeding herds. Becton explains that while the U.S. does not have a case of JEV, Australia was hit hard in 2022 when it spread from Asia. The country did not expect to see the virus, and it brought mortality and abnormalities among the hog population.
Wean-To-Harvest Biosecurity Program
Meanwhile, SHIC has created a Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program. It explores biosecurity priorities in three areas: keeping disease off the farm, keeping disease from spreading from the farm, and preventing disease in transit.
Fan Covers
The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various exhaust fan covers in reducing airborne particles that carry swine respiratory pathogens. Research results show that a Fan Sock was the most effective in reducing airborne particle quantities at 1 meter from the fan.
Learn more: https://www.swinehealth.org/wean-to-harvest-biosecurity-program-research/
Manure Application
Due to its fertilizing value to the soil, pig manure is spread in fields surrounding pig sites for the grain crop. However, it poses risks to animal health due to the gases and pathogens that may recirculate.
Studies showed that manure pumping practices were associated with Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome outbreak and spread. The odds of an outbreak within a 4-week window were greater when the site was pumped and near a field receiving manure. The odds of a PRRSV-negative barn becoming PRRSV-positive increased significantly after manure pumping. This information enables veterinarians and producers to justify strategies for biosecurity and biocontainment associated with pumping manure out of sites or when a site is near a field receiving manure.
Learn more: https://www.swinehealth.org/wean-to-harvest-biosecurity-program-research/
Washing Trailers
The goal of this study was to determine the most effective and cost-efficient way to clean market haul trailers that transport pigs. The research found that washing 100 percent of trailers significantly reduced the number of infected farms, with an average of 23.13 infected premises. Washing 60 percent of trailers was identified as a cost-effective strategy, achieving a significant reduction in disease spread at a lower cost of about $32,956 per farm.
Learn more: https://www.swinehealth.org/wean-to-harvest-biosecurity-program-research/
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