With the goal of improving the diagnostic value of tongue tips for PRRS surveillance, a study led by Dr. Onyekachukwu Henry Osemeke from Iowa State University aimed to optimize protocols to increase the likelihood of recovering live PRRSV isolates from tongue tip fluids. Successfully isolating PRRS viruses from post-mortem tongue tips enhances their diagnostic value […]
Category Archives: Animal Health
New Biosecurity and Disease Resources
The Pork Checkoff has developed new tools to help pork producers strengthen their foreign animal disease preparedness and biosecurity practices. These resources are designed to be practical, easy to access and relevant to producers and those involved in swine exhibitions. These resources are available digitally, and printed versions can be ordered through the Pork Store or by calling […]
Research RFP – Pathogen Management and Prevention: Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus
The National Pork Board Swine Disease Research Task Force has identified three research priorities for requests for proposals related to pathogen management and prevention. Submission Deadline: October 18, 2024. The Swine Disease Research Task Force has identified three research priorities for requests for proposals. Endemic enteric disease continues to challenge the industry on a day-to-day […]
SHIC Invites Input for 2025 Plan of Work
The Swine Health Information Center annually solicits input for its Plan of Work which guides its activities. Now being developed, SHIC is requesting ideas for its 2025 Plan. SHIC’s five strategic priorities include 1) improving swine health information, 2) monitoring and mitigating risks to swine health, 3) responding to emerging disease, 4) surveillance and discovery […]
SHIC Engages in Industry’s North American African Swine Fever Forum
When African swine fever was diagnosed in China in August 2018, the North American swine industry immediately began actively monitoring its status and subsequent efforts to control the outbreak. Knowing the consequences of an ASF diagnosis in North America would be catastrophic, collaborative efforts among stakeholders in the US, Canada, and Mexico began immediately. The […]
WEBINAR: Minimizing the Impact of Emerging Disease Threats in Swine Through Research Funding Partnerships
On October 22, 2024, at 2:00 pm CT, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research will host a webinar to discuss the benefits of collaborative approaches to protect the US swine herd from emerging disease threats. Click here to register. The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) supports research that improves animal health and […]
SHIC Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity: New Projects Funded to Investigate Pathogen Contamination of Trailers at the Harvest Plant and Mortality Disposal Structures on Farm
The Swine Health Information Center’s Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Research Program, funded in collaboration with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and the Pork Checkoff, has recently funded two new projects to advance biosecurity of US swine farms. The newly funded projects include: 1) quantifying trailer contamination rates at the harvest plant interface led by Dr. […]
October Domestic Disease Monitoring Report Now Available
The Swine Health Information Center’s (SHIC) October Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Report is available. This month’s Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Report includes a survey which asks for your input on the SDRS Strategic Plan. SDRS reports increased PRRSV activity in Iowa, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. The overall PEDV percent case positivity remains low at 4%. However, […]
Michigan State University Student Awarded 2024 Morrison Swine Innovator Prize
Savannah Thomson, a second-year student at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, received the 2024 Morrison Swine Innovator Prize, an award given to veterinary students who want to make a difference in swine health and production. The award was presented on Sept. 23 at the annual Allen D. Leman Swine Conference hosted by the University of Minnesota […]
USDA Adding HPAI to Dairy Beef–Surveillance Programs as Virus Continues to Spread
The outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI, more specifically avian influenza type A H5N1), continues among U.S. dairy cattle after its initial discovery in that species this spring. Since March, H5N1 outbreaks have been confirmed in dairy cattle in over 200 herds. This includes 34 dairy cow operations in California, making it 14th state with dairy […]