Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus costs U.S. swine producers more than $664 million annually in lost production. Collaborative scientific research continues to be the industry’s best hope for finding new ways to mitigate this devastating disease.  

For the past 11 years, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) has contributed $75,000 annually through its Advancement in PRRS Research Award to fund three selected research studies. According to Michelle Sprague, DVM, president-elect of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV), results from more than a decade of BIVI-funded research studies have contributed significantly to the industry’s understanding of the disease and how to more effectively manage it.

“After more than 20 years, PRRS continues to be a major disease challenge for swine veterinarians and producers. While we still do not have all of the answers, we have learned a lot about the virus during this time, including how it is transmitted and how to better control it,” Sprague says. “I believe collaborative practical field research will provide valuable information and insight to help us achieve our goal of eradicating PRRS.”

For its 2014 PRRS Research Award, the company is again seeking study proposals from swine veterinarians, diagnosticians and public and private veterinary researchers in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Selected research studies are designed to investigate new ways to diagnose, control and eradicate one of the world’s most costly swine diseases.

BIVI encourages individuals interested in submitting PRRS Research Award proposals to do so by Jan. 1, 2014.

Complete details can be found at www.prrsresearch.com. Research Award recipients will be announced at the AASV annual meeting in Dallas, TX, next March. Proposals will be reviewed by an independent scientific board and awarded based on established criteria including potential economic impact to the swine industry, originality and scientific quality and probability of success in completing the year-long study.

This year, BIVI recognized three veterinarians and researchers for the 2013 Advancement in PRRS Research Award. These recipients were: Gil Patterson, DVM, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, MN; Susan Detmer, DVM, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada; and Locke Karriker, DVM, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.

To participate in the PRRS Research Award Program, submit a proposal, cover sheet, curriculum vitae and two letters of recommendation by Jan.1, 2014, to: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., Attn: Trudy Luther, The Advancement in PRRS Research Award, 3902 Gene Field Rd., St. Joseph, MO. 64506 USA.

For more information and complete submission instructions, please visit the PRRS Research Award Web site at www.prrsresearch.com.