With porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) costing U.S. swine producers $664 million annually in lost production, collaborative scientific research continues to be the industry’s best hope for finding new ways to mitigate this devastating disease.   

For the last 10 years, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) has contributed $75,000 annually through its Advancement in PRRS Research Awards to fund three selected research programs.

Tara Donovan, DVM, president of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV), says ongoing research efforts have been successful in helping producers and veterinarians learn more about the disease and how to more effectively manage it.

“These studies have generated a tremendous amount of knowledge and data about the PRRS virus, how it is transmitted and how to better control it,” Donovan says. “But additional research is still needed as we have a long way to go to, hopefully, eradicate PRRS and help swine producers be more productive.”

For its 2013 PRRS research awards, the company is again seeking study proposals from swine veterinarians, diagnosticians and public and private researchers in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Selected research programs are designed to investigate new ways to diagnose, control and eradicate one of the world’s most costly swine diseases.

Boehringer Ingelheim encourages people interested in submitting research award proposals to do so by Jan.1, 2013, and complete details can be found at www.prrsresearch.com. Research award recipients will be announced at the AASV annual meeting in San Diego next March. Proposals will be reviewed by an independent scientific board and awarded based on established criteria including potential economic impact to the swine industry, originality and scientific quality and probability of success in completing the year-long study.   

This year, BIVI recognized four veterinarians and researchers for the 2012 Advancement in PRRS Research Awards. These recipients were Brad Leuwerke, DVM, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, MN; Mike Murtaugh, University of Minnesota;  Jeff Zimmerman, DVM, Iowa State University; and Peter Schneider/ Derald Holtkamp DVM, Iowa State University.

To participate in the PRRS research program, submit a proposal, cover sheet, curriculum vitae and two letters of recommendation by Jan. 1, 2013, to:

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.

Attn: Trudy Luther

The Advancement in PRRS Research Award

2621 North Belt Hwy

St. Joseph, MO 64506 USA