Latest News From Hog Health

A new feature in AgView may be just what you are looking for to save time and be more efficient on the farm.

Scientists have taken a major step forward in understanding how African swine fever virus genes are controlled and expressed, helping the global pork industry advance understanding of this deadly disease of swine.

Understanding potential impacts of JEV on pork production is critical to protecting the health of the U.S. swine herd as well as mitigating the risk of this emerging disease. Here's what the pork industry is doing now.

Why is the U.S. pork industry living with PRRS? Pipestone's Cara Haden believes this virus is making it challenging for the U.S. to claim to be the "absolute best in the world." She says it's time to do something.

Swine producers are caught in belt-tightening measures testing the limits of their resourcefulness. Don't let the need to save money blind you to the importance of biosecurity for your operation. Here are ways to save.

The latest MetaFarms reports show sow death loss in 2023 was at an all-time high at 15.3%. That’s up 1% from a year ago – a trend that continues to move in the wrong direction. 

Veterinarian advocates are urging congressional offices to support and cosponsor the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act and include the Healthy Dog Importation Act in the new farm bill. Here's why.

ASF has been detected in over 50 countries in recent years, and it continues to spread. Although this deadly disease may seem miles away, the urgency to protect the U.S. from ASF has never been greater.

Research provides critical information and resources to help pork producers as they face emerging disease challenges in their swine herds. Here's a look at the RFP Research Priorities as included in SHIC’s Plan of Work.

The hallway chatter is what makes events like the Iowa Pork Congress so meaningful for pig farmers. It's those conversations that bring people back year after year to one of the industry's largest winter shows. 

CIRCUMVENT CML, a product of Merck Animal Health, has been awarded the Best New Food Animal Product from S&P Global Animal Health.

The latest Veterinary Wellbeing Study shows greater levels of job satisfaction and pride in work across veterinary teams, but challenges like student debt and a shortage of qualified veterinary team members remain.

Antibiotics delivered via water as a route of administration (ROA) continue to increase in usage. From 2011 to 2020, water as an ROA grew 4%. In 2020, water as a ROA represented 30% of antibiotic administration.

While the 2023 Progress Report provides a review of the Swine Health Information Center’s activities and accomplishments, the 2024 Plan of Work outlines projects to address its strategic priorities in the new year.

Research trials show Efficor helps improve growth performance and feed efficiency in growing and finishing pigs.

Large investor groups are putting increased pressure on major food service organizations to reduce antimicrobial use in their protein supply chains. Can gene editing help reduce antibiotic use?

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) recently submitted comments noting their criticism of FDA’s draft guidance on the duration of use of certain antibiotics in food animals. 

“Lean and healthy” isn’t just a label on packaged pork in the meat case at your grocery store — right now, it sort of describes the U.S. swine industry.

PRRS has been holding the pork industry hostage for far too long. A new study shows improvements in swine herd biosecurity can reduce the incidence risk of PRRS.

Antimicrobial resistance is not a new concern, but it's a concern that continues to grow, reports the World Organisation for Animal Health.

There's no question the Swine Health Information Center got a lot done in 2023, and plans are underway to make 2024 even more productive. Here's an inside look with SHIC executive director Megan Niederwerder.

Megan Niederwerder, DVM, took over the reins as executive director of the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) on Jan. 1, while Lisa Becton, DVM, began her tenure with SHIC as associate director.

Although Paul Sundberg, DVM, is always one to turn the spotlight onto others, the pork industry wants to say thank you for his years of devotion to helping pork producers and pigs thrive.

A new study confirms the difficulty in eliminating viral RNA from a contaminated feed mill post-introduction and highlights the need for continued emphasis on biosecurity for preventing pathogen entry.

It was a challenging year for the pork industry, without a doubt. However, we've found some highlights over the past 12 months that the pork industry found particularly helpful in areas of production.

Here's a look at five research projects the Swine Health Information Center is funding to better understand the potential use of tongue tips for monitoring emerging diseases.

Former basketball coach John Wooden and swine health leader Paul Sundberg share at least one thing in common. They both define success by “never quite getting there.” Sundberg says trying to "get there" makes life fun.

Effective Nov. 22, 2023, and until further notice, the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services is restricting the importation live swine, swine germplasm and unprocessed products and by-products from Bangladesh.

The Swine Health Information Center’s Standardized Outbreak Investigation Program is now available online. It was introduced as a Word-based form to conduct outbreak investigations. Here's what you need to know.

Infectious diseases such as PED, PRRS and influenza can be transmitted through contaminated airborne particles. A variety of industries use technologies to control aerosolized emissions. An extensive review is now out.

Pathogens that cause swine respiratory disease and ileitis taunt pork producers daily. Veterinarians share how water-soluble antibiotics may help.

What do you need to know about Strep. zoo?

 The House of Representatives passed the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act on Tuesday. It will help fight illicit use of the product in humans while preserving access to the drug for animals.

Visual inspection is insufficient to ensure cleanliness and eliminate disease transmission risk due to microscopic viruses and bacteria. Here's what could help.

When it comes to preventing a FAD at your operation, remember you are not on your own. There are three levels that must work together to achieve success.

Nutrition has long been documented to have an impact on how an animal responds to disease. At times, certain conditions can become present associated with nutrients within the feed or feed itself. Here are five to watch.

USDA has lifted an order that required sows from one Manitoba assembly yard to be certified free of Seneca Valley virus before crossing the border. 

The animal health industry continues to face challenges of new and emerging diseases as well as improvements in current commercial vaccines. Here are 5 things Mike Roof wants you to know about mRNA vaccines.

For the U.S. swine industry, 2023 has been a year most farmers would like to forget. However, this time, it's not because of disease issues. Here are three predictions for pig health in 2024 by Pipestone's Joel Nerem.

Pipestone's Karyn Havas wants to develop a protocol that tracks antibiotic use across large-scale commercial swine production systems and compares it in real-time with its respective on-farm antibiotic use. 

The U.S. pork industry has learned its lesson about paying attention to disease outbreaks in other countries. That's why a new website has been created about Japanese Encephalitis Virus that wreaked havoc in Australia.

An analysis combining the results of 14 studies from around the globe has uncovered some common patterns in how the piglet microbiome, specifically the gut bacteria, changes over time, Purdue University reports.

As swine producers, you all pay a health tax at the end of the year, whether you know it or not. This tax is paid on every pig and reflects the cost of less-than-perfect health in an operation.

The U.S. swine industry lost an estimated $299 million per year due to heat stress alone in 2003, says Jay S. Johnson, USDA-ARS researcher. If you adjust that for inflation, that's more like $493 million per year now.

Reducing the need for antibiotic use in livestock production is a key focus for researchers and on farms that has significant implications for the wellbeing of animals and humans alike.

Ready or not, peak disease transmission season has arrived. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a frustrating and complicated disease. How prepared are your farm and team for PRRS season?

Emerging infectious diseases are a constant threat to the swine industry. Here's how SHIC is helping protect and mitigate emerging disease risks to the North American swine population.

A recent American Veterinary Medical Association study found less than 4% of veterinarians nationwide predominantly practice production animal medicine. Here's what Iowa State University is doing to help change that.

Innovation is sometimes a producer’s choice, and sometimes it’s a necessity precipitated by government or practices imposed by customers. Either way, there are essential components of your farm you should review.

Although foreign animal disease may be more likely to enter the country with the animals themselves, feed – including soybeans and corn – also raise concern in the livestock industry. Here are three ways to lessen risk.