Swine Health Organizations Step Up Focus on Rotaviruses

The Manager of the Canada West Swine Health Intelligence Network says Canada's swine health organizations are stepping up their focus on improving diagnostic methods for Rotavirus in an effort to improve the effectiveness of vaccinations. The Canada West Swine Health Intelligence Network's 3rd Quarter report on swine health surveillance identifies Rotaviruses as a problem right now that practitioners are paying particular attention to.

 

CWSHIN Manager Dr. Jette Christensen explains Rotaviruses cause diarrhea in young pigs.

 

 

The problem is that there are three subtypes of Rotaviruses. We call them A, B and C. We have a vaccine for Rotavirus but it's based on the A type and that means that now that it seems as if the B and C types are spreading. The vaccine isn't as effective as it was before.

 

That's what we hear from our practitioners, that's what's reported back to us. There are groups of practitioners, with the support of CWSHIN, and as best we can we try to explore if there are better options for diagnostic tests for Rotavirus and better options for vaccines. That is not something that is going to happen right now but we're exploring how we can improve diagnostics and vaccines.

 

For that reason we've reached out on our national call with the CSHIN, the Canadian Swine Health Intelligence Network to our sister organizations, RAIZO in Quebec and OAHN in Ontario to see if we can exchange some data and some knowledge and get a better understanding of what exactly is going on with Rotavirus and the Canadian swine herds right now.

Video: Selling Rams & Helping New Farmers Begin

It’s shipping day again at Ewetopia Farms as we sell another Suffolk yearling ram! In today’s episode, we load one of our Suffolk rams onto the trailer as he heads off to his new farm to sire the next generation of lambs.

This particular customer has been buying our rams for over eight years, trusting Ewetopia genetics for their gentle temperaments, strong builds, and proven performance. Back home, we get busy looking after the flock that’s staying behind. With the weather turning wet and chilly, it’s time to put down fresh, clean bedding to keep everyone cozy and comfortable for the season ahead. Later, we welcome a wonderful new family who’s just starting out in sheep farming!

They’ve chosen some of our Suffolk ewe lambs to begin their flock — and we couldn’t be happier to help them take their first steps into raising sheep. Stay tuned for a follow-up episode when we help deliver and settle their new flock at their farm.