Zoetis has sponsored a postgraduate fellow who is beginning a new study at Iowa State University that may provide some insight in the management of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSv). The study seeks to identify herd-specific best practices to prevent, control and/or eliminate PRRS virus.

Although pork researchers have learned much over the years about how this virus spreads and infects pigs,

The impact of PRRSv continues to present challenges to our nation’s pork producers, with a 2013 study showing that reproductive losses and decreased pig performance cost the industry $664 million per year. Researchers hope this project will help identify best PRRSv management practices to reduce economic and production impact.

“We as an industry have a great opportunity to improve PRRS management,” said Dr. Jose Angulo, DVM, Managing Veterinarian and PRRS Specialist, U.S. Pork Technical Services, Zoetis. “This study will examine risk factors such as herd size, biosecurity, whole herd immunity and gilt flow to analyze current control and elimination PRRSv strategies and develop a more tailored approach to address PRRSv in breeding herds and reduce production impacts.”

The project will target at least 135 breeding herds over a two-year period, with herds studied in groups based on similar herd characteristics and PRRSv management goals. The total value of the fellowship is $105,263.

“It is difficult to have a one-size-fits-all management strategy for PRRSv because of the complexity in the virus as well as differences in herds,” Dr. Angulo said. “Each herd has its own unique set of challenges. Identifying successful virus control strategies for comparable herds puts the industry one step closer to eliminating PRRSv nationwide. Zoetis is proud to support young veterinary professionals as they help our industry achieve this goal.”