All posts by AgCreate
October 19, 2017
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae: Elimination or control?
By Clayton Johnson, DVM | October 2017 For decades, we’ve lived with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) and have come to accept it as an endemic pathogen of swine. Heck, we even named it “enzootic pneumonia,” which implies this respiratory pathogen will forever hinder pig growth and producer profitability. Now is not the time to surrender and accept M. hyo as a fact of swine production. In fact, as respiratory challenges from other viruses continue to mount, the economic impact of M. hyo becomes even greater.
Read MoreOctober 7, 2017
2017 CVS Annual Conference-Biggest One Yet!
The Annual Conference held in Macomb, IL on Aug. 29 was the biggest one in the conference’s history. More than 689 registered. As part of the program, individuals, groups, and farms are recognized for excellence in swine operations through its Swine Awards of Excellence. This program is designed to highlight the year and provide shared enjoyment of the outstanding people we work with in the swine production business. Awards were presented by Dr. Joe Connor. Not pictured but receiving awards included: Kevin Avise (Good Neighbor), Riverview Orleans Finisher – Carie Nalley (Outstanding Finisher);
Read MoreSeptember 21, 2017
Investing in new employees critical to success
Taking a systematic approach to training and remaining humble can help reduce turnover and allow you to recuperate the initial investment in employee training many times over. By Neal Benjamin, DVM | September 15, 2017 Bringing new employees up to speed quickly and giving them tools they need to succeed long term is critical to the longevity of any business especially hog farming. Unfortunately hog farmers struggle to find quality skilled workers and despite offering competitive wages turnover remains a problem across
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August 25, 2017
4 ways to manage, eliminate PEDV within finishing systems
Uncovering the route of disease introduction into a negative population may be the most important step in PEDV elimination. By William Fombelle, DVM | August 25, 2017 Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus has continued to greatly challenge the swine industry since its introduction into the American swine herd in May 2013. As we work through PEDV introductions in our wean-finish systems, it is important for producers to recognize that PEDV elimination is possible but does not come without the
Read MoreAugust 17, 2017
Management strategies can mitigate impact of seasonal infertility
Further studies on photoperiod and hormonal changes will be essential to fully understanding the impact of seasonal infertility, but interventions serve as an aid in reducing its impact. By Megan Schnur, DVM | July 21, 2017 Though swine are polyestrous, prior to domestication they were seasonal breeders. In North America pigs would become anestrous in the summer and early fall, presumably to avoid cold weather farrowing and reduce piglet mortality. Although clear evidence is lacking, these characteristics are thought to have been
Read MoreJune 16, 2017
Best practices for managing and controlling neonatal diarrhea
It is essential that strategies of prevention and control ensure a sanitized and temperature controlled environment to achieve an appropriate balance between the environmental pathogen load and piglet immunity. By Attila Farkas, DVM | June 16, 2017 Neonatal piglet diarrhea is a very common and relevant problem in modern pig production. It is associated with increased pre-weaning mortality, poor growth rates and variation in weight at weaning. The newborn pig has an immature mucosal immune
Read MoreMay 19, 2017
Swine audits provide animal care scorecard
The overarching goal of the common audit process is to provide consumers greater assurance of the care taken by farmers and pork processors to improve animal well-being and food safety. By Dyneah Classen, DVM | May 19, 2017 Harvest facilities (packers) have started third-party auditing requirements for hog farms supplying or marketing hogs to them. The audit programs initially varied by packer and were intended to assure consumers that the animals that produce their pork are well cared for
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May 1, 2017
Carthage Diagnostic Laboratory – Open House
Carthage Veterinary Service, LTD. has a new diagnostic laboratory on the Carthage campus. Stanton Hall, which was formerly the Home Economics building of the old Robert Morris College, is now home to the Carthage Diagnostic Laboratory. The building had also been used as a daycare facility by previous owners. There was a ribbon cutting to debut the facility on Monday, April 24. The new molecular laboratory replaces a smaller facility that was previously located in the main office and allows Carthage Veterinary Service to expand
Read MoreApril 21, 2017
Understanding late-finishing mortality
The cost of late mortality is significant in relation to early mortality. By Aaron J. Lower DVM | Apr 21, 2017 Much of the focus in wean-to-market pig production tends to be on getting weaned pigs placed, started on feed and going. That attention is warranted as we commonly observe early health issues coupled with the stress of getting pigs converted from milk-based to plant-based protein. In our race to get pigs to town, producers seem to shrug off late-finishing mortality in hopes of just getting to
Read MoreApril 10, 2017
Swine Awards of Excellence – Seeking Nominations
Carthage Veterinary Service, LTD recognizes excellence in swine operations through its Swine Awards of Excellence. Anyone wishing to bring recognition to the attention of a farm are encouraged to make nominations by completing the nomination form (attached or online) and returning it to CVS before June 30, 2017. The Winners will be recognized at this year’s Annual CVS Swine Conference. This program is designed to highlight the year and provide shared enjoyment of the outstanding people we work with in the swine production business! https://conference.hogvet.com/Information/AwardNomination
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