USA - Swine Conference Addresses PRRS Management and Eradication

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, which affects the majority of the nation's swine, will be the featured topic at the 46th annual University of Nebraska-Lincoln George A. Young Swine Health and Management Conference. The Aug. 11 conference, "Achieving the Best of Production Through Knowledge," will be at the Marina Inn in South Sioux City, Neb. Registration for the one-day seminar begins at 8 a.m. "Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, or PRRS, is the leading problem in the swine industry as far as health concerns," said Bruce Brodersen, conference coordinator and research associate professor with UNL's veterinary and biomedical sciences department. Conference presentations about developments in the modern swine industry and ongoing PRRS research will benefit pork producers, large animal and swine veterinarians, animal and veterinary science faculty and industry representatives, Brodersen said. "We want to provide practical information about current techniques used in managing PRRS as well as information about eradicating the disease from individual herds," he said. "Producers whose herds are not directly affected can learn how the disease impacts herd biosecurity." Presentations include: • the science behind PRRS transmission and biosecurity • PRRS eradication -- depopulation and rollover techniques • an update on ongoing PRRS virus immunobiology research • an update on coordinated industry efforts to fund PRRS education and research; genetics of disease resistance -- PRRS as a model • PRRS eradication -- personal experiences with PRRS biosecurity, monitoring and surveillance • assessment of PRRS risk for swine production sites -- methods and applications in health management. Speakers are university specialists and industry representatives. The conference has been approved for 5.5 hours of Nebraska Veterinary Continuing Education credits. Registration is $85 with a $20 discount for registrations received before Aug. 1. An additional discount is offered for early registration of groups of three or more, with a price of $55 per registrant. Cancellations received before Aug. 1 will receive a full refund; later cancellations will be subject to a $10 administrative charge. A block of rooms has been reserved at the hotel. To register or for more information about the conference and lodging, contact: Sharon Clowser - e-mail sclowser2@unl.edu or visit the conference Web site at: http://georgeyoungswineconference.unl.edu. The George Young Swine Conference is sponsored by UNL's Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences and UNL Extension in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Additional sponsors include the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, American Association of Swine Veterinarians, Alltech Nebraska, Alpharma Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Elanco Animal Health, Hermitage NGT, Pfizer Animal Health and Waldo Farms Inc.