Swine Practitioner
Where can you find the money for doing field research?
(7/1/2006)
Research has become a major aspect of pork production these days, but it can be a challenge for veterinarians to find funding to pay for the research.
Will needles soon be a thing of the past?
(7/1/2006)
The financial incentive to switch to needle-free injection protocols may still be a little muddy right now, but rapidly increasing identification and traceability requirements could soon change this.
Managing diagnostic information in today's veterinary clinic
(7/1/2006)
With the continued changing swine industry and improved diagnostic technology, managing and communicating diagnostic information has become a more critical role for swine veterinarians.
Optimizing gilt reproduction and development
(5/1/2006)
A panel of experts addressed gilt reproduction problems, such as low fertility and breeding challenges, during a roundtable discussion in St. Paul, Minn.
Attracting and training swine veterinarians
(5/1/2006)
In an effort to meet future demand, veterinary colleges have implemented systems to identify students with agricultural backgrounds or interest in food animal production early in their Bachelor of Science programs.
Facing the challenges and changes in the future pork industry
(5/1/2006)
A veterinarian, pork producer and packer/processor representative shared some of their thoughts about future challenges and changes in the pork industry during this year’s AASV Annual Meeting in Kansas City.
Part 2: Optimizing gilt reproduction and development
(3/1/2006)
What performance criteria are important to assess specifically for gilts?
15 lessons learned in eradicating PRRS
(3/1/2006)
A PRRS eradication project started by Cargill Pork in 2001 has proven successful so far.
This was an electrifying case
(3/1/2006)
Many nutritional, pathological, and metabolic issues were raised and investigated in an effort to diagnose the cause of a “puffer sow” syndrome; stray voltage proved to be a main contributing factor.
Is Haemophilus parasuis on the increase?
(2/1/2006)
Diagnostic laboratories report a high prevalence of H. parasuis; PRRS virus, naïve pigs may be factors.
Optimizing gilt reproduction and development
(2/1/2006)
During a recent roundtable discussion, swine veterinarians and swine reproductive experts agreed that even though gilt reproduction and development are getting more attention, there is still much room for improvement.
Water: How critical a component in pig disease and mortality?
(2/1/2006)
Although the water source may be easily visible, it often is overlooked in modern swine confinement systems when disease processes are present.
Revisiting AMDUCA regulations
(1/1/2006)
The increased scrutiny of the use of pharmaceutical products in food animals makes it important for food animal practitioners to take the lead in maintaining options for quality medical decisions.
An evidence-based medicine approach in swine practice
(1/1/2006)
Evidence-based medicine is practiced somewhere in between the extremes of making decisions based upon only well-documented evidence and making decisions based upon selective memory and the most recent technology.
Ileitis: Clinical quagmire or practice builder?
(1/1/2006)
While significant challenges continue in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of ileitis, this complex disease can also provide opportunities for you to better serve your clients.
Developing a practical philosophy for antibiotic use
(11/1/2005)
A philosophy based on science, proper use and economic consideration could go a long way toward helping to ensure the continued use of antibiotics in pork production.
Current methods for disease eradication
(11/1/2005)
Whichever methods are used for attempting disease eradication and/or control, they all need to be fit to the unique aspects of each farm and owner.
Researchers look for ways to bolster immunity in pigs
(11/1/2005)
Spray-dried plasma and fish oil show promise in research studies to improve growth and help prevent disease.
The primary boar stud PRRS risk factors
(11/1/2005)
A major study by Illinois swine veterinarian Joe Connor looked at a broad-based compilation of procedures and processes that may be primary risks that contribute to PRRS virus introduction into boar stud populations.
Swine disease eradication: Eight methods in use today
(11/1/2005)
There are many factors that cause health status changes in pork production systems, and swine veterinarians need to be ready with protocols that will help adapt to these changes.
Implement workable biosecurity
(10/1/2005)
Consistent and thorough execution of basic biosecurity priorities on a daily basis is a key to success.
How to measure boar stud performance
(10/1/2005)
There is not just one right way to assess boar stud performance, but generally, information from site audits, product monitoring, customer feedback, production efficiency and economic indicators can be used.
PRRS losses exceed $560 million per year in the United States
(10/1/2005)
This is the conclusion of a major in-depth study of PRRS costs to the United States pork industry.
Finding the right ethical road
(10/1/2005)
Our changing society and the new pork production industry present some complex and not-so-easy-to-answer ethical questions to swine veterinarians and others involved in service to the industry.
C. perfringens type A is still an elusive foe
(9/1/2005)
Even though it is one of the leading causes of diarrhea in neonatal swine today, it remains difficult to reproduce experimentally and it lacks distinct diagnostic lesions.
Can SWINE® strategy help get a grip on PRRS?
(9/1/2005)
Despite the continuing frustrations about PRRS control, an internationally recognized veterinary virologist believes there is hope for the future in the form of a more effective vaccination strategy.
New study identifies keys to finanacial success for swine veterinarians
(9/1/2005)
The AVMA-Pfizer Business Practices Study was released earlier this year and presented at the American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting in Toronto.
Finding scientific answers for animal stress
(7/1/2005)
A team of scientists with the Agricultural Research Service is trying to determine if current production practices are stressing food animals.
Looking at the science of environment on pig production and health
(7/1/2005)
Environment has the ability to affect, among other things, how pathogens spread through a barn, survival times of pathogens in the pig environment, exposure levels of pathogens in the barn and concurrent stress levels in the animals
Case studies
(7/1/2005)
Field problems and observations of edema disease
Achieving 30 weaned pigs per mated female per year
(7/1/2005)
A high level of excellence is needed when planning, implementing and managing genetics, nutrition, health, housing, reproduction and environment.
PRRS, PRRS and more PRRS
(5/1/2005)
Mass vaccination, biosecurity, serum therapy, research updates, diagnostics and just about anything else relating to the pork industry’s most costly disease was discussed at this year’s AASV annual meeting in Toronto.
Veterinary researchers continue to hunt for PMWS answers
(5/1/2005)
The number of PCV2-associated diseases, including pneumonia and PMWS, increased dramatically between 1998 and 2002 but may have peaked since then, according to data from the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
Searching for ways to reduce odor in pig buildings
(5/1/2005)
Purdue University researchers are working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Pork Board to ensure that food animal farms are as odor‑free as possible and safe for animals and people.
Genomics will be raising the bar on pork quality
(3/1/2005)
It is quickly becoming a preferred tool to help the pork industry meet increasingly higher demands for pork quality, according to leading swine genetics experts.
Ileitis: It remains a misunderstood foe
(3/1/2005)
Feed-grade antibiotic programs, the use of vaccine and a combination of diet, antibiotics and vaccine continue to be used in protocols to fight this disease in swine production systems.
The evolution of improved biosecurity in today's large systems
(3/1/2005)
As North American pig production continues to evolve into a global meat supplier, maintaining a competitive advantage will require improved strategies to eliminate and prevent disease.
New detection methods help to improve food safety
(2/1/2005)
Government scientists are developing quicker, more reliable and cost-effective methods to test for contaminants in food.
A whole-genome approach can unlock value for pork industry
(2/1/2005)
Leading researchers and animal geneticists who participated in a roundtable discussion held in conjunction with the 2004 American Association of Animal Science meeting agreed that there are definite benefits from learning more about the pig genome.
AASV releases official position on swine welfare
(2/1/2005)
The AASV Pig Welfare Committee prepared the statement in response to the ongoing discussion and review of gestation stalls being led by the American Veterinary Medical Association
How to manage pig transportation biosecurity risks
(2/1/2005)
Managing biosecurity during pig transportation is an increasingly important part of comprehensive biosecurity plans for pork production systems.
Vaccine shortage focuses attention on flu research
(1/1/2005)
Because pigs can be infected with both avian and human strains, they may be a “mixing vessel” in the transmission process, scientists say.
Disease control protocols: How they can fit in prrs elimination efforts
(1/1/2005)
Area, or regional, elimination of costly swine diseases -- especially PRRS -- is possible with currently available disease control and eradication technology.
The causes and costs of out-of-feed events in grow-finish pigs
(1/1/2005)
According to animal scientists, there are three major causes for out-of-feed events in grow-finish facilities that can have serious economic and animal welfare consequences.
Using water disappearance for predicting pig health
(11/1/2004)
In most pork production facilities, water disappearance is a better predictor and monitor of performance and health than feed use.
PRRS: A four-point plan for its elimination
(11/1/2004)
University of Minnesota PRRS researcher Scott Dee outlined his plan for the pork industry, academia and the swine veterinary profession to come together for the sole purpose of eliminating PRRS virus from North America.
How young do we need to recruit?
(10/1/2004)
Interest in food animal and rural veterinary medicine often begins as youngsters and continues on into vet school. Here’s how you can help recruit more new grads into the profession.
How to manage high sow mortality
(10/1/2004)
Research to date has not been able to pinpoint a single cause of high sow mortality, but there seem to be some basic causative elements that can be recognized. Sow mortality continues to be a major challenge in breeding herds.
Finding the right ethical road
(9/1/2004)
Ethical performance of veterinarians has not really been an issue in the past, but this paradigm may be challenged as the pork industry faces a new era.
How to help your clients establish practical biosecurity protocols
(9/1/2004)
Although many traditional biosecurity practices are scientifically sound and effective, PRRS virus has caused the industry to rethink traditional biosecurity measures.
