26 The Trusted Source for Canada’s Pork Producers Better Pork | April 2024 It’s the time of year when the smell of spring (and manure) fills the air. While the pungent aroma marks the start of a new season, it doesn’t need to be the source of disease transmission. “The potential disease impact of spreading hog manure is serious,” says Dr. Cathy Templeton, a swine veterinarian with South West Vets. “Especially this spring, after a winter that saw an increase in PED positive sites and warmer than usual temperatures in Ontario.” The recent rise in PED (porcine epidemic diarrhea) breaks may have been a result of any number of reasons, but Dr. Templeton notes the absence of consistent freezing temperatures over the winter have made conditions easier for PED contamination to enter barns. Mild temperatures mean any contaminated material, like shavings outside a loading dock or mud from a yard, increase the risk of transmitting diseases like PED. “There are plenty of ways to move manure while prioritizing the health of your animals and neighbouring barns,” says Dr. Templeton who recommends farmers heighten their biosecurity measures this spring to reduce the risk of disease transmission and to protect animal health, not just from PED. Mild temperatures mean any contaminated material outside, like shavings from a loading chute, increase the risk of transmitting disease. Swine Health Ontario photo SWINE HEALTH ONTARIO THE DISEASE RISK OF SPREADING MANURE Understand & implement biosecurity measures. By Jeanine Moyer SHARC is a collaborative risk management tool used by producers to make informed decisions about farm operations, based on available health data. The results are cumulative, resulting in a higher level of disease protection for all swine herds. Protect your herd. Find your 9-digit producer number and an email registered with Ontario Pork. It’s easy to sign up. 1 Go to www.swinehealtharc.ca/enroll Producers already registered with the previous ARC&E program will be automatically enrolled in SHARC. SHARC is operated by Swine Health Ontario in partnership with Ontario Pork and the Ontario Pork Industry Council (OPIC). 2 Select “producer” and follow the prompts. 3 info@swinehealthontario.ca • 877-668-7675 x1401 Anticipate and manage disease risk. SHARC SWINE HEALTH AREA REGIONAL CONTROL
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