What’s Top of Mind for Swine Veterinarians in 2023?
From PRRS to PEDV, the health challenges facing swine farms add insult to injury during tough economic times. Farm Journal’s PORK asked five veterinarians to share their perspectives, including what they would encourage pork producers to pay special attention to right now regarding swine health what diseases are causing the most problems in their part of the country.
The veterinarian experts include Attila Farkas of Carthage Veterinary Service in Macomb, Ill.; Tom G. Gillespie of Performance Health PC in Battle Ground, Ind.; Jason Hocker of AMVC Management Services in Audubon, Iowa; Randy Jones of Livestock Veterinary Services in Kinston, N.C.; and Taylor Spronk of PIPESTONE in Pipestone, Minn.
Q. What is one of the most important things producers need to be paying attention to now regarding swine health?
AF: Biosecurity. Even though warm weather is upon us, do not underestimate pathogens. The Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Report for the month of May provides information about the increased prevalence of porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome (PRRS) as well as porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCOV).
TG: Biosecurity. Yes, biosecurity does have a cost, but poor health in my professional opinion is more costly.
JH: The most important thing to pay attention to is biosecurity – both internal and external. In the current market climate, production efficiencies are incredibly important and health challenges can erode the pig’s ability to grow and convert efficiently.
RJ: Cost of production is top of mind for most producers. Within that metric, I am sure animal health and production play a huge role. Healthier animals have better production and cost less to produce. Managing input costs are also very important.
TS: While we all understand the importance of sow biosecurity and starting a healthy pig, often wean-to-finish biosecurity is overlooked. I hear producers saying ‘Oh well, if I get disease, I get disease’ when there are many simple, effective steps producers can take to keep their pigs healthy. Producers can improve health by being disciplined in implementing easy, everyday tweaks to their routines like how they enter farms, working toward flows with all-in-all out production, site sanitation, etc.
Q. What swine disease is causing the greatest problems for producers in your area and why?
AF: PRRS continues to cause significant economic and production losses in sow farms as well as wean-to-finish animals.
TG: PRRS and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) continue to plague producers.
JH: Unfortunately, PRRS and PEDV continue to be the dominant diseases that are a regular challenge. Sometimes these diseases are preventable, and we should focus our efforts on preventing the diseases that we know we can impact. In the absence of PRRS and PEDV, influenza and secondary bacterial diseases such as Streptococcus suis, Glasserella parasuis and Pasteurella multocida continue to create challenges. E. coli either as a primary or secondary pathogen continues to be a challenge as well.
RJ: PRRS is still the most costly and devastating disease producers fight. It disrupts all phases of the production cycle. A close second is enteric coronaviruses. These viruses are very contagious and elude our biosecurity efforts. They are also changing and becoming more pathogenic and able to move easier.
TS: PRRS is a constant challenge due to its high prevalence and aggressive transmission.
Q. What’s been the biggest surprise from your perspective in terms of swine health for the first half of 2023?
AF: At the 54th annual meeting of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, Dr. Paul Yeske shared that we are coming up on two years without transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) in the sow herds in the diagnostic databases.
TG: The biggest surprise has been the degree of economic loss this industry has taken over the past few months. On top of this, the frustration of a disease challenge can be devastating to the production and management teams.
JH: The level of PEDV still working through the industry. The continued presence of PEDV is a direct challenge to the swine industry’s biosecurity readiness and we have considerable work to do. PEDV is the ultimate tattle-tale virus and it is exposing our weaknesses on a continual basis.
RJ: The biggest surprise has been the lack of demand for pork domestically. This has been a negative on pork prices as well as the slow export market.
TS: As more and more of my sow farms adopt a feed mitigant, I am surprised by the impact this has made on PRRS prevalence. While no single biosecurity intervention is perfect, this has been so effective for farms I work with.
Q. What’s one tip you could offer a producer looking to improve their biosecurity plan?
AF: Minimize the number of supply entries to the farm to once a month. Place supplies in a heated disinfection room attached to the farm and quarantine them for seven days at room temperature prior to introducing them into the farm.
TG: Biosecurity programs need weekly reminders, and these programs needs to become a part of their “culture.” Appointing a member of the production team as the biosecurity lead has been successful in most cases.
JH: Assess your operation’s weak points – specifically evaluate how mortalities are removed from barns and where people and supplies enter farms. We can very efficiently move diseases around with improper biosecurity practices, and I believe we do so in an unintentional manner. Proper biosecurity practices can and do break disease cycles, but they must be implemented and not just live on paper.
RJ: A biosecurity plan is only as good as the execution of that plan. Engage your employees in the design and implementation of the plan. If they have ownership in the design, they are more likely to buy into its implementation.
TS: Call a knowledgeable veterinarian and ask their opinion on your biggest opportunities. Much of a swine vet’s value is that we see many, varied operations, and can pass along thoughts on what others are trying that might help you.
Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve heard lately?
AF: Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Maya Angelou said, "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."
TG: I am not sure if I read this or heard it, plus I will paraphrase the comment: “Leaders obviously need to be at their best every day in today's competitive swine industry. They must think critically, make sound decisions and motivate their teams; therefore, they are under a lot of pressure. To achieve all this on a daily basis, leaders need to “level up.” Leveling up is about more than increasing their skills and knowledge. Leveling up is also about being more present, more engaged and more personable. Leaders have to be effective and ready for the next challenge!“
JH: “Nothing cures low prices like low prices.” Hopefully this continues to hold true, and we see a rebound in domestic demand for pork. In the current environment, we have to remain positive and control the key production aspects that we can directly influence. The markets will come around.
RJ: Stay engaged in the industry to understand the trends that could affect you and your farm.
TS: This isn’t new, but it’s something I’ve thought about often lately: “Some days you’re the windshield and some days you’re the bug.” This was my dad’s way of reminding me life is variable and a bad day isn’t a bad life.
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