Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) announces the first recipients of its annual research award program for porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD).

The $75,000 PCVAD research awards will fund three research studies designed to improve the industry's understanding and management of this emerging disease complex.

The three award recipients were announced at the Leman Swine Conference in St. Paul:

• Darwin Reicks, DVM, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, MN: The effect of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccine on the prevalence and detection of PCV2 in serum, blood swab and semen in adult boars.

• Tanja Opriessnig, DVM, Iowa State University: Comparison of different PCV2 antibody ELISA assays and detection of PCV2-specific antibodies after vaccination or after infection with distinct PCV2 isolates.

• Opriessnig: Characterization and comparison of the immune response to PCV2 in pigs from different genetic origin.

BIVI also announced it is seeking research study proposals to investigate porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).

In its fifth year, BIVI will provide three, $25,000 grants through its 2007 Advancement in PRRS Research Awards program. Winners are announced at the American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting in March.

Proposals for a year-long project should be submitted by Jan. 1, 2007, with a cover sheet, Curriculum Vitae and two letters of recommendation to: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., Attn: Trudy Luther, “The Advanced PRRS Research Award,” 5506 Corporate Dr., Suite 1600, St. Joseph, MO 64507-7752. For more information, go to www.PRRSresearch.com.