Residue Testing in Ireland Revealed Very Few Positives
In 2009, just 0.3 per cent of samples from Irish animals and products were positive for residues, according to the the National Residue Control Plan for 2009. Carry-over was detected in three porcine samples relating to the dioxin incident in 2008; the...

Health Implications of Bovine TB in Pig Populations
The health implications of having bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in a pig herd are described in this Knowledge Transfer Bulletin from BPEX.

Biosecurity to Reduce the Risk of Bovine TB in Pig Populations
This Knowledge Transfer Bulletin from BPEX covers badger behaviour and provides examples of biosecurity that may reduce the risk of pig herds being infected by bovine tuberculosis (bTB) from badgers, as well as from other sources.

Regional Methods for Controlling PRRS
Extensive scientific study and on-farm research is starting to pay off in the battle against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus, writes ThePigSite senior editor, Chris Harris.

Basic Farm Biosecurity
Producers are advised to follow good on-farm biosecurity measures to protect their livestock and crops from the constant threat of pests and diseases.

Good Practices for Biosecurity in the Pig Sector
Issues and options in developing and transition countries are covered in a new Animal Production and Health paper from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and World Bank. The right...

Key to Low Carbon Emission Pig Meat Production
A healthy diet and reduced consumption would reduce carbon emissions, writes ThePigSite senior editor, Chris Harris.

A Review of Biosecurity Methods
This article stresses on the importance of maintaining biosecurity on the farm. "A mixture of attitude, routine communication and a little common sense should be a part of biosecurity rules and procedures that can be easily maintained on a farm," writes...

Biosecurity in Swine Production: Widespread Concerns?
The importance of applying biosecurity measures in pig production were explained by Marie-Ève Lambert and Sylvie D’Allaire from the University of Montreal at the Banff Pork Seminar 2009. They say: "A knowledge of the biosecurity procedures used in a region...

Learning Pig Health and Welfare Virtually
Learning what can go wrong on a pig farm and how to cope with outbreaks of sickness is an essential part of production management, writes ThePigSite senior editor, Chris Harris.

Efficacy of Selected Disinfectants against Porcine Pathogens
Seven chemical disinfectants were tested against 10 species of porcine bacterial pathogens that are common in UK pig units under a range of conditions. The pathogens showed widely different susceptibilities to the different disinfectants. None of the...

Information on Influenza A (H1N1) Control
Hygiene and emergency disease outbreak information for influenza A (H1N1) from DuPont Disinfectants.

Animal Antibiotics, Resistance and Human Health
Antibiotics are a vital component to rearing healthy livestock, but many researchers argue that mismanaged use is having a detrimental effect on the industry, writes Adam Anson for ThePigSite.

Biosecurity Pays Dividends
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," explains Dave van Whellingham (Sheriden Hueser Provis, Steinbach, Manitoba). "That is the essence of biosecurity." He is writing for Prairie Swine Centre. Outlining the process of cleaning and disinfection...

Practical Application of Science Reduces Health Costs
As a result of the findings reported, strict biosecurity measures have been implemented at the entry to all pig houses to reduce the risk of porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection, writes Janet Alsop, veterinary disease prevention...

Ireland Moves Quickly to Tackle Dioxin Alert
The Irish food safety and marketing authorities have been working flat out to limit the damage to the pig meat industry caused by the discovery that some products might have been infected with dioxins through contaminated feed, writes ThePigSite senior...

Swine Diseases Have Changed
Changes in the pig industry have led to changes in the type and pattern of diseases, making multiple infections more common. DuPont Animal Health Solutions explains the changing face of disease control and emphasises the need for high levels of hygiene...

Checklist for Fly Control in Hog Operations
Fly control is important due to the risk of disease transfer through flies and the generation of nuisance complaints from neighbours, reports the Agriculture and Rural Development department of Alberta Government. Because of the enclosed, controlled environment...

Fighting Illegal Imports to Beat Disease Threat
The threat of exotic animal diseases entering a country has led to a raft of legislation from most authorities preventing the illegal import of animal products, writes ThePigSite senior editor, Chris Harris.

Disinfection Clears Virus from Transporters
By Jake Waddilove. A.E. Waddilove MA, VetMB, MRCVS is a swine specialist veterinarian in practice in eastern England. This report has been obtained with the help of DuPont Animal Health Solutions.

Clean Properly Before You Disinfect!
By DuPont Animal Health Systems, published in a Pig Topics Bulletin. In his latest feature article ‘Clean Properly Before You Disinfect', Jake Waddilove, MA, VetMB, MRCVS advises that, for a disinfection programme to work to its full potential, it is...

Antibiotics in the Environment and Antibiotic Resistance
We share the world with a wide range of living organisms from microscopic bacteria to gigantic whales. Although we cannot see them, bacteria are all around us and are a normal part of our ecosystem and live, write Dale W. Rozeboom, Barbara E. Straw, Hui...

Biosecurity: Transport and Vehicle Controls
By Jake Waddilove, MA, VetMB, MRCVS. The importance of biosecurity for all vehicles associated with pig production cannot be stressed enough, as they provide an excellent vector through which disease can spread. And this is particularly the case with...