"The Nebraska Pork Producers Board of Directors is choosing a proactive approach," said Shane Meyer, president of the association.

"Nebraska has been extremely fortunate not to have any reported cases of the PED Virus and we would like to keep it that way. Learning as much as we can about the virus, practicing strict biosecurity and managing proper farm protocols is a great start to keeping our animals safe and healthy".

Midwest Producer reports that leading experts from the National Pork Board, Iowa State University and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture have been assembled to convey the latest available information on the disease along with protocols that have been put in place to prevent the spread of the disease.

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus was confirmed in the United States during the week of 13 May. It is a RNA coronavirus, which is related to transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEv). However, there is no cross protection afforded by immunity developed to one against the other. PED Virus was first diagnosed in 1971 in Great Britain, since that time there has been sporadic outbreaks in Europe and has become an endemic pig disease in Asia since 1982.

A seminar will be held on 16 December at the Holiday Inn Express in Columbus, Nebraska. Registration check-in will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the programme will conclude at 3:30 p.m. There are no registration fees, but registration is required for meal counts.

Further Reading

Find out more information on PED by clicking here.