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$800,000 USDA Grant to Create Integrative Data Platform for Major Swine Diseases

A team of University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine researchers led by Kimberly VanderWaal was recently awarded a 4-year, $800,000 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The study aims to create an “integrative data science” platform to predict the ability of PRRSV-2 variants to provoke an immune response and spread across farms. The platform will use interconnected machine learning tools from structural biology, computational immunology, and genomic epidemiology.

The circulation of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus-type 2 (PRRSV-2) is a primary constraint to swine health and production. PRRSV-2 is a rapidly evolving RNA virus impacting roughly 30–50% of breeding farms. With an economic burden of over $600 million in the U.S. alone, PRRSV-2 is the most important endemic disease to the U.S. swine industry. 

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Locks, Boats & Visiting Sheep Farmers!

Video: Locks, Boats & Visiting Sheep Farmers!

In today’s episode of our sheep farming vlog at Ewetopia Farms, we blend farm life with a bit of local sightseeing as we welcome fellow sheep farmers visiting from Alberta! After completing the morning chores, we take a scenic trip to Washburn Locks on the historic Rideau Canal—just minutes from our farm. With perfect timing, we watch several pleasure boats and even the Kawartha Voyageur cruise ship navigate the locks, a rare treat for visitors and locals alike.