Finding solutions for unique disease threat

by | Jul 30, 2018 | 5 Ag Stories, News

The United States livestock industry is working tirelessly to reduce the threat of a foreign animal disease. An animal research professional talks about the work his company is doing to combat a unique disease threat.

AUDIO: Dr. Scott Dee, Pipestone Veterinary Services (Part 2)

Pipestone Veterinary Services research suggests feed imports, such as soybean meal and distiller?s dried grains, can carry animal disease. PED Virus, African Swine Fever, Classical Swine Fever, and Senecavirus A survived the international transport phase of Pipestone’s research. Pipestone Veterinary Services recently published the survival phase of its study, and is now focused on finding mitigation strategies to reduce the virus? survival in feed.

?We?ve looked at 10 different additives and we?ve tested them at a very small-scale laboratory level. It looks like five of those 10 are effective,? Director of Pipestone Applied Research at Pipestone Veterinary Services Dr. Scott Dee said. ?Now we?re going to take those five candidates that looked more promising, test them on a larger scale and (then) look at feeding treated feed that we purposely spiked with viruses to large groups of pigs – so making it more real-world to see whether we protect pigs eating contaminated feed that?s been treated.”

Feed additives are one way to keep livestock from being infected. However, Dee believes the animal industry would benefit from a combination strategy.

?I think we need a mitigation plan, probably an additive, and some storage time. We may look at quarantining feed before we start using it. It might come and sit in a warehouse and allow the mitigation to work before it?s released to the animals. I think that?s one phase,? Dee said. ?But, some products are coming from high-risk countries, such as soy-based products. I think we seriously need to look at, ?Is that necessary?? Dee said.