Recent Advances in Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus NADC30-Like Research in China: Molecular Characterization, Pathogenicity, and Control

The name porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) NADC30-like was first coined in 2015. It originated from the NADC30 strain that was introduced into China by importing breeding pigs and has since undergone mutations or recombination, resulting in variant viruses. Following widespread outbreaks in China in recent years, these NADC30-like strains have presented major health challenges in swine production systems. Outcomes induced by PRRSV NADC30-like infection are highly variable, ranging from inapparent to severe, depending on the recombination between NADC30 and field PRRSV strains prevalent in swine farms. Vaccines and strict biosecurity measures have been explored to fight this disease; however, current PRRSV commercially modified-live virus vaccines (MLVs) have the potential to revert to virulence and only provide limited or no cross-protection efficacy against NADC30-like strains. PRRSVs will remain an ongoing challenge to the swine industry until safe and effective vaccines or antiviral reagents are developed.

Evaluation of preventive homeopathic treatment against Colibacillosis in swine production

Escherichia coli is the most important etiologic agent implied in neonatal diarrhea in swine; colibacillosis is the disease with highest impact in production of swine. The demands of consumers for meat without chemical residues and the ban on the use of antibiotics and chemotherapics in production of swine compelled to find alternative therapeutic and preventive treatments. Aims: to assess homeopathic treatment as preventive against colibacillosis in swine. Methods: the study was conducted in a farm in Mato Grosso, Brazil; stools of 4 piglets with diarrhea were collected to establish the presence of E. coli; concomitantly it was performed a clinical exam to identify the symptoms leading to the choice of a homeopathy remedy. Newborn piglets were divided into 4 groups (n= 11 or 12): 1) control, subjected to antibiotic treatment against diarrhea; 2) homeopathic treatment, performed with Phosphorus 30cH according to the symptoms collected; 3) biotherapic treatment, performed with Escherichia coli 30cH prepared from the locally obtained bacteria; 4) homeopathic + biotherapics treatment. Results: all 3 groups treated with homeopathy/isotherapy presented a significant reduction of diarrhea compared to the control group (p=0.02); the group treated with Phosphorus 30cH + Escherichia coli 30cH presented the highest weight gain which was significant by comparison to all other groups (p=0.001). Conclusion: homeopathic and biotherapics treatment were more effective than antibiotics in the control of diarrhea in newborn piglets; combination of homeopathic and isopathic treatment resulted in the highest weight gain. These results suggest that homeopathy and isopathy are effective alternatives for the treatment of diarrhea by E. coli in newborn swine.

How Epigenetics Can Enhance Pig Welfare?

Epigenetics works as an interface between the individual and its environment to provide phenotypic plasticity to increase individual adaptation capabilities. Recently, a wide variety of epi-genetic findings have indicated evidence for its application in the development of putative epi-biomarkers of stress in farm animals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate previously reported stress epi-biomarkers in swine and encourage researchers to investigate potential paths for the development of a robust molecular tool for animal welfare certification. In this literature review, we report on the scientific concerns in the swine production chain, the management carried out on the farms, and the potential implications of these practices for the animals’ welfare and their epigenome. To assess reported epi-biomarkers, we identified, from previous studies, potentially stress-related genes surrounding epi-biomarkers. With those genes, we carried out a functional enrichment analysis of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of the DNA of swine subjected to different stress-related conditions (e.g., heat stress, intrauterine insult, and sanitary challenges). We identified potential epi-biomarkers for target analysis, which could be added to the current guidelines and certification schemes to guarantee and certify animal welfare on farms. We believe that this technology may have the power to increase consumers’ trust in animal welfare.

Pilot study of preventive homeopathic treatment for colibacillosis in a swine farm in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Diarrhea has become an economically important disease in pigs due to intensive management system which has been used. Escherichia coli is the most important etiological agent of neonatal and post weaning diarrhea in swine colibacillosis and the greater impact of the disease in pigs. The demand of consumers seeking meat without chemical residues and the prohibition of the use of antibiotics and chemotherapeutics in swine production has led to seek an alternative medicine for preventive and therapeutic treatments in swine breeding. This study was carried out in a commercial farm in São Paulo state. Stool samples were collected from five piglets presenting diarrhea and examined for the presence of Escherichia coli. Concomitantly, a detailed interview was done with the owner, about all clinical information useful to choose the best homeopathic medicine, using repertory method. Subsequently, four groups were formed consisting of 11-12 piglets each: a control group (antimicrobial used in the farm routine for treatment of diarrhea), a group treated with the chosen homeopathic medicine - China officinalis 30 CH - a group treated with E. coli biotherapic 30 CH (medicine made from E. coli strains collected and isolated from the same farm) and a group treated with both homeopathic and biotherapic E. coli medicines. There was no statistical difference in the number of animals presenting diarrhea among groups, but China treated pigs showed greater weight gain compared to the other three groups (Fisher test, p = 0.0001), despite the incidence of diarrhea. In conclusion, this preliminary study suggests that the use of repertory chosen homeopathic medicines could improve productivity in swine farms even though clinical manifestations of diarrhea occur.

Early Ethical Assessment: An Application to the Sustainability of Swine Body Scanners

An early ethics assessment method was used to evaluate sustainability goals and early findings from an automated body scanning technology for swine production. The project had twin goals of discovering potential pitfalls in the technology and exploring the applicability of the method, derived from the Ethical Matrix, as a tool to aid researchers in product design at very early stages in the research and development (R&D) process. This paper reports results on the second objective. Results of the evaluation workshop were coded and qualitatively analyzed. These results are reported and compared; the exercise is compared to the findings of other researchers using more traditional methods for ethical assessment on similar technologies, as well as standard social science methods for ascertaining economic sustainability and social acceptability of technological innovations. We conclude that the method has promise, especially for its applicability at very early stages in R&D, but that it does not substitute for analyses that occur at a much later stage in product or procedural development.

Weaning Age and Its Effect on the Development of the Swine Gut Microbiome and Resistome

Piglets are abruptly separated from their sow at weaning and are quickly transitioned from sow’s milk to a plant-based diet. This is the most important period in commercial swine production, yet the effect of weaning age on the long-term development of the pig gut microbiome is largely unknown.

Effect of a Geothermal Heat Pump in Cooling Mode on the Housing Environment and Swine Productivity Traits

This study compared the effects of the cooling mode of a geothermal heat pump (GHP) system with those of a traditional cooling system (ventilation fans) inside a pig house on the internal house temperature, harmful gas emissions, and the growth performance of the pigs. During the 19-week experimental period, the temperature inside the house connected to the GHP cooling system was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of a house with a conventional cooling system. Similarly, the temperature–humidity index (THI) was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the GHP cooling system-connected pig house. Furthermore, the concentrations of ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) were also decreased significantly in the GHP-installed pig house (p < 0.05). However, no differences were observed in the concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5) and formaldehyde (p > 0.05). The pigs reared in the GHP-equipped pig house gained significantly more weight (p < 0.05) by the end of the experiment. The GHP cooling system can therefore be implemented as a renewable, environmentally friendly energy source in pig farms for sustainable swine production without adversely affecting the productivity parameters.

Undergraduate Certificate in Swine Production Management

Iowa State University (ISU) offers undergraduate certificates to demonstrate completion of a focused study in a specialized area across a variety of disciplines. The certificate has the significant benefit of allowing students to customize their curriculum and document an approved course of study. A Swine Production Management Certificate is now offered within the Animal Science Department at ISU. The certificate requirements are organized to correspond with faculty and employer-defined needs for a successful transition from ISU student to swine industry professional.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Swine Production Management certificate will integrate technical topics in animal science with practical considerations in enterprise management. Two critical components to the certificate are the capstone Swine Systems Management course and a required internship with a focus on swine production management. Students that complete the certificate will have the background to identify and address challenges in modern swine production enterprises. Further, the certificate assists employers in identifying students that have shown the interest, discipline, and ability to complete this specialized study program.&nbsp;