By using a new gilt acclimatization protocol and paying strict attention to biosecurity, the Vanden Boogaards have sharply reduced their nursery mortality and learned some lessons for the future
by KATE PROCTER
Danbred is the first in Ontario to install the filters in its barn and a Quebec study indicates that they are 95 per cent successful in cutting down on aerosol transmission of the disease
by KATE PROCTER
For decades, pork producers have introduced increasing levels of biosecurity to keep costly diseases out of their herds. Yet Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRS) still manages to elude the best efforts at keeping it out.
This has led breeding stock company Danbred North America to tackle one of the toughest areas of transmission – aerosol. Danbred is the first in Ontario to install Canadian-designed filters at their boar stud, hoping to keep their PRRS-negative boars safe from the virus.
The more meticulous you are in cleaning your barn, the less deterioration and disease you will have to deal with when you want to get started again
by PAUL LUIMES
A producer may have a number of reasons for deciding to shut down a barn temporarily. With the market sitting as it is, perhaps a temporary shutdown and selling the corn you have stored for the hogs would result in lower losses. If you have ever considered doing a depopulation/repopulation, a strong argument could be made for doing one now. Perhaps you will not be in a huge rush to repopulate and would like to keep the barn shut down for a while.
In recent issues, we have followed the stories of several Ontario producers as they grappled with PRRS during the tough market conditions of 2007. This update reveals some surprises as well as challenges with monitoring the actual PRRS status in barns
by KATE PROCTER