Gain insight about swine influenza and efforts to prove an eradication protocol.

February 25, 2021

2 Min Read
Outside of a sow barn
National Pork Board

Over the years, veterinarians and the pork industry have tackled eradiation protocols for viruses like PRRS, PED, and Mycoplasma, yet influenza remains a common occurrence in the field. 

Dr. Spencer Wayne of Pipestone Veterinary Services visits with Dr. Cameron Schmitt, veterinarian with Pipestone, in a recent SwineTime podcast about swine influenza and efforts to prove an eradication protocol.

Pig farmers and veterinarians in the U.S. are all too familiar with the warning signs of influenza in their herds. Sows off feed, minor abortion levels, mortality in GDU, and lower pig wean weights are seen in the sow farm, while pigs in the finisher will show a mild cough and go off feed. Dr. Schmitt notes that since finishers have static populations, it will run its course. However, it is much more difficult to eliminate in a sow farm since new gilts and baby piglets are constantly being introduced. 

With this challenge in mind, Dr. Schmitt is working with ten Pipestone-managed sow farms to evaluate an influenza eradiation protocol. 

“We continue to strive for better health. Influenza is one component we think we can make a big impact on. Our goal is to eliminate flu from a farm and make a flu negative sow unit,” stated Dr. Schmitt.

In the podcast, Dr. Schmitt discusses the three large components of their eradication strategy which include an extended quarantine period for gilts coming in, utilization of autogenous vaccines for the specific strain on that farm, and moving restrictions.

Pipestone Business Services assists the farmers of today to create the farms of tomorrow. Providing best-practice guidance and solutions for farmers to withstand economic downturns, position them for growth and profitability, and assist in maintaining generational control of their farms. The SwineTime podcast was created for the pork industry and individual pork producers around the country. Hosted by Wayne, the podcast contains pork industry news, advancements in animal care and how to enhance your productivity.

Monthly podcasts are available on Spotify, Google Music, ITunes, Anchor and on Pipestone.com.

Source: Pipestone Veterinary Services, which is solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly owns the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

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