Program Overview
“PCVAD: When immunology goes wrong, life on the farm becomes very expensive!” Dr. Tom Gillespie
Since late in 2004, a “new” problem became apparent to producers with a dramatic increase of mortality, slower growth, systemic problems, pneumonia and other clinical signs. Although this problem first became a concern in the late 1990’s, the high mortality rates commonly observed today associated with PCVII was not seen back then. Porcine Circovirus type II continues to create problems that may go beyond a mortality concern. What has been found and how do we change? A vaccine is now available that controls mortality but how well are the animals responding in their growth post vaccination? There are many aspects that need research to further our understanding of PCVII and how it is damaging the animals.
“The PRRS Risk Assessment Tool for the Breeding Herd – Practical Applications and Lessons Learned” Dr. Derald Holtkamp
The PRRS Risk Assessment Tool for the Breeding Herd is part of the AASV Livestock Disease Risk Assessment Program coordinated by the Food Supply Veterinary Services within Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. An overview and development update will be provided for the program. Practical applications and experience using the PRRS Risk Assessment Tool for the Breeding Herd will be given. Preliminary information related to the importance of various risk factors for PRRS will be presented.
“Regional Eradication of PRRS Virus: A Pilot Project” Dr. Robert Morrison
In the last 20 years we have learned much about PRRS virus, including how to eliminate it from farms. Despite our best efforts to keep it out of farms, many herds become infected. It is often difficult to identify the source of virus, but we know that herds are at risk of becoming infected with whatever pathogens their neighbors have. Therefore, we have initiated a pilot program in two counties in Minnesota to try and eliminate the virus. This project has had its high points and challenges, but overall, we are moving in the right direction. In this presentation, we will describe the project, discuss our progress and present our current challenges. A national eradication program has been proposed by swine veterinarians, and the key to success will be producer leadership.
“Use of Positive Pressure High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filtration for Disease Control" Dr. Andy Holtcamp
Positive pressure HEPA filtration systems have been promoted as a means of establishing a biosecure environment in modern swine facilities. Discussion will revolve around cost of installing and maintaining a positive pressure HEPA filtration system. This presentation will also discuss the expectations of which diseases can potentially be impacted.
“Biosecurity: Research Considerations and Real World Applications for Working with PRRS and PCV2 in Swine” Dr. Richard Hesse
The presentation will deal with research needs and methods of containment for working with PRRS and PCV2 infectious disease models in pigs. Infectious agent pseudo modeling will be utilized to demonstrate transmission considerations, explain failed experiments and emphasize real world biosecurity applications
“Practical Approaches to Biosecurity from a Practitioner’s Perspective” Dr. Joel Nerem
Protecting the health of swine farms is critical to a producer’s success. Practical and effective biosecurity measures can be challenging to implement. This presentation will address how many swine farms have adopted the latest information in disease transmission to effective biosecurity practices at the individual farm level.
Tales from Trent Loos
Consumers are unaware of where their food comes from. Producers are too busy trying to feed the world to stop and show them. Who is going to bridge the gap? Trent will offer tales from his travels about people from every aspect of food production who have taken it upon themselves to spread the good word about agriculture. How can we tell our story and protect consumers from the fearmongering animal rights activists that want us all to become vegans. You won't want to miss this moving address.
Location:
Marina Inn, Fourth & B Streets, South Sioux City, NE. 402-494-4000 or 1-800-798-7980
