Farmscape for November 2, 2011   (Episode 3997)

The Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians says the willingness of pork producers to share the health status of their swine herds is key to gaining control of PRRS.

With funding provided by the Canadian Swine Health Board the Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians is taking the lead in coordinating efforts across Canada aimed at controlling PRRS.

PRRS regional control will be discussed during the third Canadian Swine Health Forum which kicks off tomorrow in Niagara Falls.

Dr. Leigh Rosengren, one of two PRRS Regional Control Coordinators, notes veterinarians have been assisting producers with PRRS control for decades but over the past few years control has been approached on a more regional basis.

Clip-Dr. Leigh Rosengren-Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians:
The problem with PRRS is that when a producer eliminates the virus many of the factors that cause re-infection are outside of their control so by looking at a neighborhood or a regional strategy producers can have more influence over those factors that affect re-infection.

Initially a producer would expect to undergo some diagnostic testing in their herd to determine what their current PRRS status is.

Once that is known producers become involved with communications and regional meetings to be informed about what's happening specifically in their region and to help them establish networks so that they can begin to discuss what they and other people in the region are doing with respect to this virus.

One of the other big changes for daily business is really just a change in mindset.

Traditionally Canadian producers have kept their health status very much confidential between themselves and their veterinarians.

By participating in a regional control project you agree to release your PRRS health status to everyone that's participating in the region so that everyone then has that information to take into account when they make decisions to control the health of their herd.

Dr. Rosengren says the big change is when a new break occurs that information is communicated to other area producers so they can take the appropriate steps to avoid their herds becoming infected.

For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.

       * Farmscape is a presentation of Sask Pork and Manitoba Pork Council