SHIC Delivers Swine Health Information at Leman Conference

The Allen D. Leman Swine Conference, an annual educational event for the global swine industry, will take place September 21-24, 2024, at the RiverCentre in St. Paul, Minnesota. Swine veterinarians, pork producers, and other swine professionals will convene to attend the Leman Swine Conference and learn the latest information and research outcomes in swine production, biosecurity, and animal health management. Drs. Megan Niederwerder and Lisa Becton of the Swine Health Information Center will each chair sessions and SHIC is sponsoring several sessions as well as individual presentations.

The preconference session on September 22 entitled, “New technologies and new approaches to control the spread of airborne diseases,” includes presentations and work supported by SHIC. The session chair is Dr. Montse Torremorell, University of Minnesota. Presentations include:

Basics of aerosol science and air filtration
Chris Hogan, University of Minnesota
Factors that contribute to airborne virus transmission in the field    
Montse Torremorell, University of Minnesota
PRRS incidence in filtered farms: what MSHMP tells us    
Cesar Corzo, University of Minnesota
New control technologies to improve aerosol biosecurity    
Chris Hogan, University of Minnesota
Electrostatic precipitators decrease virus transmission in experimentally infected pigs        
Lan Wang, University of Minnesota
Fan coverings to decrease risk of disease dissemination
Erin Kettelkamp, Swine Vet Center (Sponsored by the Swine Health Information Center)
Electrostatic precipitation for biocontainment from finishing facilities exhaust fans
Brett Ramirez, Iowa State University (Co-sponsored by SHIC)

A main conference session on September 23, “Transport biosecurity,” is sponsored by SHIC and Dr. Niederwerder will serve as chair. Presentations include:

Mitigating between-farm disease transmission through vehicle rerouting and enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols
Gustavo Machado, North Carolina State University
Trailer tracking and sanitation methods for improved biosecurity
Edison Magalhaes, Iowa State University
Evaluation of ATP bioluminescence for improved biosecurity in the swine industry
Dustin Boler, Carthage Innovative Swine Solutions

Co-sponsored by SHIC, the main conference session on September 23, “Old viruses, new diseases,” will be chaired by Dr. Fabio Vannucci, University of Minnesota. Presentations for this session include:

Detection of underrepresented viruses in grow-finish pigs: Should we be concerned?
Mariana Meneguzzi, University of Minnesota
Porcine astrovirus 4 as a cause of tracheitis and bronchitis in young pigs
Mike Rahe, North Carolina State University
Porcine Circovirus 4: Recent Detection in the U.S. and Its Potential Impact on Swine Production
Pablo Pinyero, Iowa State University

The main conference session scheduled September 24, “On-farm wean-to-finish biosecurity,” is sponsored by SHIC and Dr. Becton will serve as chair. Presentations include:

Characterizing dead animal disposal practices and estimating PRRSV risk from rendering
Igor Paploski, University of Minnesota
Early findings of evaluating disease introduction and biosecurity in the wean-to-finish sector
Karyn Havas, Pipestone Research
Are caretakers motivated to comply with biosecurity – What resources are needed?
Mike Chetta, Talent Metrics Consulting

Coordinated communication and broad dissemination of swine health information is one of SHIC’s main priorities. Working with the Leman Conference team offers the opportunity to expand SHIC’s reach by sharing outcomes from work conducted as a result of the Center’s research priorities. In addition to the sponsorships and chairing sessions, SHIC will have a display table at the Conference offering information and the opportunity to connect with participants.

The Swine Health Information Center, launched in 2015 with Pork Checkoff funding, protects and enhances the health of the US swine herd by minimizing the impact of emerging disease threats through preparedness, coordinated communications, global disease monitoring, analysis of swine health data, and targeted research investments. As a conduit of information and research, SHIC encourages sharing of its publications and research. Forward, reprint, and quote SHIC material freely. For more information, visit http://www.swinehealth.org or contact Dr. Megan Niederwerder at [email protected] or Dr. Lisa Becton at [email protected].