PMWS research second of Pork Checkoff swine health research priorities in 2006
US - Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome, or PMWS, research is near the top of the Pork Checkoff’s list of funding priorities in the area of swine health in 2006.
17 March 2006
3 minute read
The Swine Health Committee, a producer-led working group tasked with setting swine health research priorities and selecting proposals, has approved the funding of six projects related to PMWS and Porcine Circovirus-2 (PCV-2) for a total of $300,000.
Two proposals were approved following a call for non-Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome swine health proposals and will be funded with $100,000. Four additional projects were received and approved following a targeted call for PMWS research proposals and will be funded with a total of $200,000.
Producers on the Swine Health Committee identified PMWS as a funding priority following an increase in the incidence of PMWS cases reported from operations around the country. Porcine Circovirus-2 (PCV-2) has been frequently isolated from these outbreaks, as have a range of other respiratory pathogens.
Dr. Pamela Zaabel, director of swine information and research, is the Pork Checkoff’s liaison between the Swine Health Committee and the researchers involved in PMWS projects. Zaabel said, “Producers in the committee recognized that the forms of the syndrome reported recently are different from what we have seen in the past in cases related to PMWS. There is a lot that we do not yet fully understand about this new form of the syndrome and the Pork Checkoff is leading the support needed to get the research information.“
National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. Pork importers also invest a comparable amount. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, producer education, research, technology, swine health and pork safety. For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-PORK or check the Internet at pork.org.
Source: National Pork Board - 15th March 2006
