Posted on 03/10/2014 2:47:13 PM PDT by aimhigh
A fast-spreading virus that can kill 80 percent of piglets that contract it is rapidly spreading across Missouri hog farms, wiping out entire nurseries in some cases.
Porcine epidemic diarrhea has killed 4 million to 5 million pigs nationwide, or about 4 percent of the pigs that would go to market later this year, The Joplin Globe reported. . . . .
"We're adding 300 farms per week to the list of infected farms. I think most all will wind up with the disease," Plain said. "The average slaughter age is 6 months. So we will see the impact of this in six months. We do know it has impacted the futures market for hog contracts. We're at record levels now."
(Excerpt) Read more at columbiamissourian.com ...
I was in the grocery yesterday. It seems we are gearing up for another price hike in just about everything anyway. It seems things had stabilized for a while and now are rising again.
What should we have learned from Mad Cow disease about this new swine virus??
This is a virus; spread through things like tires; boots; probably birds.
It is very similar to TGE which was massively destructive in the 60’s and early 70’s.
It takes a bit; but a vaccine gets developed; then the herds get immunity.
It’s a just a part of animal agriculture.
Did you read post #6?
With any luck, it will mutate and spread to liberals.
Apparently, at least in your mind, we should have learned absolutely nothing about feeding animals on the remains of members of their own species.
I bet you didn’t know of a single hemophiliac who died of AIDS from human clotting factor derived from pooled blood products, either.
I’ve been trying to figure out why bacon prices are so high, while other pork prices are still about what they’ve been for decades (eg. pork lion regularly sells for under $2 per lb.). I can only conclude restaurants are adding bacon to everything nowadays, so much that it’s creating a shortage in stores. If there’s another reason I’d love to hear it.
BTW, I also heard beef prices will soar this year due to droughts in CA, TX and other cattle raising states. No grass means ranchers have to start feeding them hay right away, and hay prices are way up too.
Remember all the pig carcasses floating down a river in China?
Thanks, I’ll have the wife check it out.
From about a year ago:
http://www.pork.org/News/3904/NationalPorkBoardStatementOnPEDV.aspx
...This is not a new virus, nor is it a regulatory/reportable disease. Since PEDV is widespread in many countries, it is not a trade-restricting disease, but rather a production-related disease. PEDV may appear clinically to be the same as transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus with acute diarrhea. Producers will need to work with their herd veterinarian with if any TGE-like symptoms appear and as always, maintain strict biosecurity protocols.
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a virus similar to transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE), another disease only affecting pigs. It is not zoonotic, so therefore it poses no risk to other animals or humans. Also, it poses no risk to food safety.
PEDV has been identified in the United States in a small number of herds. The virus is not a new virus as it was first recognized in England in 1971. Since then, the disease has been identified in a number of European countries, and more recently in China, Korea and Japan...
Luddites advising farmers how best to raise animals. Seesh.
Just for clarity’s sake are you calling me or HereInTheHeartland a Luddite?
“Apparently, at least in your mind, we should have learned absolutely nothing about feeding animals on the remains of members of their own species.”
I’ll have a pork chop any day raised the way these animals were fed.
The plasma products used are a great source of protein for young pigs. Previous formulations using dairy products used in the 70’s would cause severe diarrhea in the right circumstances.
“Remember all the pig carcasses floating down a river in China?”
I didn’t see that; but it sounds like lots of things float down rivers in China!
As opposed to the 80% fatal diarrhea in theses cases? (Assuming the virus is spread slaughterhouse to nursery)
It’s a virus very much like TGE. TGE was a nasty one in the 60’s and 70’s. Once the herd got TGE; they had immunity.
From what I have read; they are just trying to pin down how the virus is spread. The linked article states that the plasma products are manufactured to kill any virus’s; but that feed trucks could possibly not be cleaned properly. There is nothing wrong in using the plasma products. The virus could hitch a ride with any feedstuff.
I’m not a vet; but have an ag background. But they are just guessing; trying to figure out how it is spread.
These viruses are nasty; and find a way to spread. Herds eventually get immunity and/or vaccines are developed.
It’s nothing new.
That raises my comfort level considerably. I'm still mildly concerned about prion diseases (not enough to give up pork!!!).
Yep. There is a pretty high level of quality control and testing that goes on in animal feed. Food safety is hugely important; and animals getting sick and very expensive.
The prion thing is not an issue with this feed ingredient from what I understand; but would be interesting to hear that from someone with a solid background in that area.
Yeah. I can tell by the way congress allows chicken processed in China to be labeled "Made in America", and by how they've never succeeded in passing COOL (Country Of Origin Label) legislation.
No chicken from China is here; yet:
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2013/12/faq-chinese-chicken/#.Ux588oWwWsY
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