Combat seasonal infertility with strong husbandry
Seasonal infertility continues to be a widespread problem for sow herds across the US. And if you don’t have a problem with seasonal infertility, it may mean you are not recognizing it, reported Daniel Gascho, DVM, with the Four Star Veterinary Service office in Mexico, Indiana.
Well-managed estrus helps gilts, sows achieve top performance
Success in pork production starts with a well-managed sow herd that cycles together and on time. Unfortunately, reproductive problems can derail the breeding process.
Better manage your sow herd with uniform body-condition technique
After noticing an alarming difference in sow body conditions in several herds, Cary Sexton, DVM, became concerned.
Parasites persist in hog production, especially in niche markets
Environmentally controlled hog facilities eliminated most swine parasites. But Ascaris suum (roundworm) continues to persevere on some conventional farms and frequently on farms for niche markets.
From veterinarian to forensic detective: Solving a mysterious swine disease
In fall 2019, a client called into Four Star Veterinary Service clinic in Mexico, Indiana, and reported the loss of a lot of sows. Daniel Gascho, DVM, said he had several ideas of what could cause the sow mortalities before arriving. But once he was on site, he knew he was wrong.
Inadequate iron supplements lead to subclinical anemia in young pigs
A field trial evaluating iron supplementation for baby pigs found the typical 200 mg iron shot at birth is not enough, according to Brittney Scales, veterinarian for Four Star Veterinary Service in Mexico, Indiana.
Don’t forget rodent, insect control during biosecurity checks
Biosecurity in a hog operation usually focuses on people and practices like showering in, UV irradiating supplies and filtering incoming air. But rodents and insects can bypass all those critical control points on a hog farm.
Slaughter checks pinpoint subclinical disease like atrophic rhinitis
Slaughter checks performed at a packing plant are an underutilized tool for diagnosing subclinical disease, says Brad Schmitt, DVM, Four Star Veterinary Service, Rushville, Indiana.
Best sow-cooling strategies from North Carolina
Sow farms struggling to breed and farrow during hot, humid weather can pick up some tips from North Carolina, where this type of weather hangs around a long time.
Raising pigs without antibiotics offers niche market but with limitations
Markets for pork produced without antibiotics continue to grow. But this method of production is not for every farm.
COVID-19 lesson for hog farms: Tighten up basic biosecurity
The COVID-19 outbreak reinforces what veterinarians and pork producers already know — biosecurity protocols control disease.
FSVS expands staff with three veterinarians
The staff at Four Star Veterinary Service (FSVS) has expanded with the addition of three veterinarians to help handle their swine-focused, diverse client base.
