Iowa Swine Day June 26 - Antibiotics for humans and antibiotics for animals

May 20, 2014

Antibiotics for humans and antibiotics for animals: How do we keep them safe and effective for both, and what is the relationship between the two? This urgent issue will be examined by former Undersecretary of Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Dr. Richard Raymond, at Iowa Swine Day in Ames, Iowa, June 26.

Numbers tell the story, according to Raymond, who brings a scientist’s perspective and a federal agency executive’s know-how to this topic. He notes, "The presentation on antibiotic use in animals raised for food will try and separate perception from reality by looking closely at the numbers. The goal is an educated audience that can engage in the constructive discussions that are needed to preserve the integrity and effectiveness of antibiotics in both human medicine and animal medicine.”

Animal welfare, the PED epidemic, and other compelling challenges facing the farm community, the pork industry, animal science and the consuming public will also be explored with common sense, uncommon depth, scientific scrutiny and national and international expertise at the third Iowa Swine Day.
Facts at a glance:

What: Iowa Swine Day

When: June 26, 2014, 8-5:15

Where: Benton Auditorium, Scheman Building, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
(plenty of free parking adjacent to building)
Cost: $60

Speakers: Richard Raymond, former Undersecretary of Food Safety in Washington, D.C.; Justin Ransom, national director of quality for McDonald’s; and distinguished regional leaders in swine research, economics, veterinary medicine, production, animal welfare and the marketplace.

Attendees: Open to all, of particular interest to Iowa and regional farm owners and operators, technicians, suppliers, extension personnel, researchers, genetics and pharmaceutical professionals, and students

Further information: http://www.aep.iastate.edu/iowaswineday/

Source: Iowa State University

Video: Swine Industry Advances: Biodigesters Lower Emissions and Increase Profits

Analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG emissions) in the Canadian swine sector found that CH4 emissions from manure were the largest contributor to the overall emissions, followed by emissions from energy use and crop production.

This innovative project, "Improving Swine Manure-Digestate Management Practices Towards Carbon Neutrality With Net Zero Emission Concepts," from Dr. Rajinikanth Rajagopal, under Swine Cluster 4, seeks to develop strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

While the management of manure can be very demanding and expensive for swine operations, it can also be viewed as an opportunity for GHG mitigation, as manure storage is an emission source built and managed by swine producers. Moreover, the majority of CH4 emissions from manure occur during a short period of time in the summer, which can potentially be mitigated with targeted intervention.

In tandem with understanding baseline emissions, Dr. Rajagopal's work focuses on evaluating emission mitigation options. Manure additives have the potential of reducing manure methane emissions. Additives can be deployed relatively quickly, enabling near-term emission reductions while biodigesters are being built. Furthermore, additives can be a long-term solution at farms where biogas is not feasible (e.g., when it’s too far from a central digester). Similarly, after biodigestion, additives can also be used to further reduce emissions from storage to minimize the carbon intensity of the bioenergy.