The dramatic improvement that vaccines have made on pigs infected with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) will headline Kansas State University’s (KSU) annual Swine Industry Day, scheduled for Nov. 15 at the KSU Alumni Center in Manhattan.
Many pork producers raise the question as to whether protecting against PCV2 is worth the cost of the vaccine. In side-by side tests of vaccinated vs. non-vaccinated pigs, PCV2 vaccines have cut the mortality rate of weaned pigs by about 75% since the virus became prevalent in the United States, explains Mike Tokach, KSU animal scientist.
Now researchers are trying to better understand the disease and the proper timing for vaccination.
“KSU’s PCV2 team has done more research with vaccines for porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD) than anybody in the world,” observes Tokach, animal sciences state leader for KSU’s Research and Extension. “They will relay all that has been learned through experiments with the new vaccines.”The session on circovirus features Lisa Tokach, DVM, and Steve Henry, DVM, Abilene (KS) Animal Hospital and researchers from KSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
The KSU swine nutrition team will review nutritional recommendations to address the rise in ingredient prices.
The program concludes with an address by Trent Loos, a Nebraska farmer and commentator, who will discuss positioning animal agriculture for the future.
Swine Industry Day also includes a day-long trade show.
For more information, contact KSU’s Lois Schreiner at (785) 532-1267 or visit www.ksuswine.org .