animalagriculture.org

Swine Health Committee
April 7, 2004

Chair: Dr. Howard Hill
Co-Chair: Dr. David Nolan

The 2004 Swine Health committee meeting was called to order by chair Dr. Howard Hill at 8:00am on April 7, 2004.

The educational portion of the program included the following presentations:

Robert Combs: Waste Not, Want Not

          Robert Combs and his sons own and operate a large food scrap feeding operation just outside of Las Vegas Nevada. He typically has 3500-6000 head on feed at any one time.

Dr. John Korslund: Swine Health Protection Act Update, Garbage Feeding Today and Tomorrow

          Dr. Korslund provided the NIAA Swine Health committee with an update on increased enforcement as well as asked for NIAA to pass a resolution providing for updates to the Swine Health Protection enforcement portion of the CFR to allow for new technology in cooking garbage and exempt foods from industrial waste that are already pre-cooked.

Dr. Beth Lautner: PIADC’s Role and Capability to Protect Animal Health

          Dr. Lautner provided an update as to Plum Island’s role in protecting the nations food supply. She also updated the committee on several research initiatives.

Dr. Paul Sundberg: National PRRS Initiative Activities at National Pork Board

          Dr. Sundberg provided a comprehensive update on PRRS funding, PRRS research, and PRRS activities that have been taken since last years resolution calling for increased funding and research on PRRS.

Dr. Mark Engle:

Dr. Engle provided an update on an emerging disease in the swine industry that has been located on several operations in the Midwest. This disease organism is thought to cause decreased farrowing rates and “shaker” pigs at finishing. A yet to be named virus sometimes referred to as Agent X appears to be involved. He called for more uniform practices in follow up on clinical cases that go undiagnosed and a uniform method to name emerging disease organisms.