“I am hopeful others will join our coordinated effort to specifically define risks and share information to contain the further spread of PEDV,” said Richter. The new effort was announced during the annual National Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City this past weekend.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, PEDV has surfaced in 26 states. Steve Meyer, president of Paragon Economics and a Pork Checkoff consultant, estimates the loss of more than 5 million piglets in the past several months, with 1.3 million lost in January alone.
“Losses of this magnitude will ultimately have a consumer impact through a reduction in supply,” Meyer said. “Some pork supply will be made up through producing higher market-weight hogs and through other loss mitigation actions, but today we are already seeing summer pork futures climb to record levels.”
Part of the Checkoff’s supplemental funding of $650,000 will be used for feed-related research to better understand thepotential role feed may play in PEDV transmission. Also, a portion of the funding will be used to identify ways to increase sow immunity and to better understand transmission and biosecurity risks. This brings the current level of Checkoff-funded research to approximately $1.7 million since June 2013.
“That investment will be centered on further containing PEDV with a specific focus on feed research and related issues, building the immunity of breeding herds and biosecurity measures,” said Dr. Paul Sundberg, vice president of Science and Technology at the National Pork Board.
In a related move, Genome Alberta is cooperating with the National Pork Board to identify research gaps in understanding PEDV and stem its spread. Genome Albert has committed approximately $500,000 toward a coordinated U.S./Canadian effort
and is seeking additional funds from Canadian, provincial and regional agencies.
Source: Porkcheckoff