Protecting herd health is always a top priority for pork producers, but despite scientific advances and improved biosecurity measures, disease prevention, as well as timely detection and mitigation, remain constant concerns, perhaps more than ever before.
“The importance of biosecurity has never been greater,” says Dr. Derald Holtkamp, a professor in the Department of Veterinary Diagnostics and Production Animal Medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. “At the same time, as the industry has consolidated and become more dependent on employees and contracted services, practicing effective biosecurity has become more complicated and challenging.”
The author of more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and a sought-after speaker at industry conferences in the U.S. and around the world, Holtkamp will share valuable insights about biosecurity at United Pork Americas in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 7-9, 2022.
A New Way of Thinking
“To make and sustain progress in reducing the risk of biosecurity failures and the frequency of outbreaks requires identifying the most significant biosecurity hazards on swine farms,” Holtkamp says. “Given the complexity, assessing biosecurity risk is essential to identify where to prioritize investments in biosecurity control measures.”
At United Pork Americas, he will offer pork producers ways to do exactly that. “In my presentation, I will introduce a new way of thinking about biosecurity hazards and control measures,” he says. He will explore how to apply traditional management tools to swine-system biosecurity, ranging from risk assessment to audit application. He’ll also describe approaches for identifying biosecurity hazards.
“In the U.S., the most significant issue for the pork industry is preventing and preparing for African swine fever virus and other trade-limiting diseases,” Holtkamp says. “The second most important issue is sow and growing pig mortality and the associated waste of valuable resources.”
He believes that the most important reason for pork producers to attend United Pork Americas is to learn. Given the unique challenges facing the industry, producers need all the information they can get in order to sustain the success of their operations.
Things You May Not Know About Derald Holtkamp
Favorite pork dish: Ribs
Education: He received his doctorate in veterinary medicine (DVM), master’s degree in agricultural economics, and bachelor’s degree in agricultural business with a minor in statistics all from Iowa State University.
Favorite pastimes: Gardening and landscaping
Favorite country to visit: Australia
Favorite theme park in Orlando: Animal Kingdom
Hear from Dr. Holtkamp and other industry experts during United Pork Americas. Register today at www.UnitedPorkAmericas.com.
Register now for a PRE-SYMPOSIUM event on Wed., May 25 at 9 a.m. CT to discuss Global Markets: The Americas Opportunities for Future Advancements in Exports, Quality, Health and Profitability with Nathan Losey of Ag Resource Management, Richard Herzfelder of Gira, Clinton Griffiths of AgDay TV and Jennifer Shike of Farm Journal’s PORK.
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