News from the National Pork Board – May 2014
The National Pork Board has announced additional funds earmarked for research in the fight against the further spread of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), which was first identified in the United States last May. The funds, US$650,000 through supplemental funding approved by the Pork Checkoff at last week’s board meeting and US$500,000 through a new agreement with Genome Alberta, will provide new opportunities for research.
“This has become one of the most serious and devastating diseases our pig farmers have faced in decades,” said Karen Richter, a Minnesota producer and president of the National Pork Board. “While it has absolutely no impact on food safety, it has clear implications for the pork industry in terms of supplying pork to consumers. Our number 1 priority is to address PEDV.”
Additionally, the Pork Checkoff announced a new collaboration with a number of industry players, including the National Pork Producers Council, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, the American Feed Industry Association, the National Grain and Feed Association, the National Renderers Association, and the North American Spray Dried Blood and Plasma Protein Producers, which is made up of five member companies throughout the United States and Canada.
For more information, contact Paul Sundberg at PSundberg@pork.org or 515-223-2764.
Dr Maynard Hogberg
Industry honors Dr Maynard Hogberg with Distinguished Service Award
The National Pork Board honored Maynard Hogberg, PhD, as the recipient of its Distinguished Service Award on March 8. Hogberg is professor and chair of the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University. The award was presented during the National Pork Industry Forum, the industry’s annual business meeting. The award is given annually to recognize the lifelong contribution to the pork industry by an outstanding leader.
“Dr Hogberg has provided extraordinary leadership to the pork industry,” said Sam Hines, Michigan Pork Producers Association executive vice president. “He has brought segments of the industry together to find sustainable solutions that have benefited pork producers nationwide.”
Hogberg began his career at Michigan State University, where he was a professor and led the development of swine extension activities. He eventually went on to serve as the chair of the Department of Animal Science. While at Michigan State, he helped grow the state’s pork industry by working with the Michigan Department of Agriculture to create Generally Accepted Management Practices for manure nutrient management. Following his time at Michigan State University, Dr Hogberg became professor and chair of the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University.
For more information, contact Chris Hostetler at CHostetler@pork.org or 515-223-2606.
Checkoff stresses “line of separation” for PEDV mitigation
Biosecurity measures protect your herd day in and day out, but the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has upped the ante. Among the steps that need renewed attention is implementing a strict line of separation within swine production sites. “That is drawing a line for non-farm personnel to remain on one side and farm personnel to remain on the other side,” says Lisa Becton, DVM, Director of Swine Health and Information for the Pork Checkoff. “The line must apply to any and all service providers.” Becton provides examples of how to establish various lines of separation within a hog farm, as well as updates on research projects and resources available to help producers develop management strategies to address PEDV.
For more information, go to www.pork.org/pedv or contact Lisa Becton at LBecton@pork.org or 515-223-2791.
PQA Plus certifications grow
In 2013, the Pork Quality Assurance Plus program hit an all-time high in number of certifications. The National Pork Board thanks the veterinary community for its role in helping the industry achieve this level of success.
For more information, contact Dinah Peebles at DPeebles@pork.org or 515-223-2795.
2014 TQA Advisor Training Workshop dates and locations
If you need to get certified in the revised Transport Quality Assurance program, choose from one of these times and locations: April 17, St Louis, Missouri; April 22, Columbus, Ohio; May 14, Des Moines, Iowa; July 10, Des Moines, Iowa; October 21, Des Moines, Iowa.
If you do not see a training that fits your needs, please call the National Pork Board server center at 800-456-7675, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Central Time, to obtain assistance in finding a training to fit your needs.
For a brochure on 2014 TQA Advisor Training Workshops, go to www.pork.org/filelibrary/TQAAdvisorsTrn15.pdf. For more information, please contact Mary Wonders at mwonders@pork.org or call the Service Center at 800-456-7675.
Checkoff research drives science-based knowledge
To better determine the return on investment made by America’s pork producers, the Checkoff reviewed the research projects funded from 2006 to 2010. As part of this effort, Checkoff contacted 267 researchers who worked on 389 Checkoff-funded projects during these years. They reported that Checkoff helped them to increase the industry’s research value by 97%. In addition, the study found that Checkoff research was cited 3808 times in 938 publications during those years.
For more information, contact Mike King at MKing@pork.org or 515-223-3532.
Checkoff helps prepare for PEDV ahead of show season
As swine show season starts to get underway, it’s time to think about how to deal with the many questions and challenges associated with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). Although the virus has less impact on the older, growing pigs headed for a show ring, the potential to spread PEDV and other pathogens rises as the pigs are commingled at weigh-in and the exhibitions themselves. Regardless of PEDV’s presence, though, certain measures should always be a priority for anyone involved in swine shows.
For more information on PEDV-related fact sheets, including those about exhibitions, go to www.pork.org/pedv for the entire catalog of items.