MINNEAPOLIS — Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp) is one of the most prevalent and economically significant respiratory pathogens in the swine industry. Economic losses related to Mhp are associated with decreased feed efficiency, reduced average daily gain, and increased medication costs. In the most recent At the Meeting podcast, researchers discuss the current protocols and steps to take to eliminate Mhp from swine herds.
In the first segment, The Morrison Group hosts Dr. Paul Yeske. Dr. Yeske, DVM, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, Minnesota, has been working toward the elimination of Mhp since 2002.
Dr. Yeske discussed how practicing PRRS eliminations have attributed to Mhp eliminations. “Mhp eliminations have been piggy-backed on top of PRRS eliminations. We saw it as an opportunity to get rid of Mhp at the same time. You really only add about 30 more days and a little medication costs,” said Dr. Yeske.
Dr. Yeske also discussed the economic and performance drivers of Mhp eliminations. “When we look at the economics, there are several drivers. Certainly we see the average daily gain being one of the bigger drivers, some feed efficiency, mortality and fewer culls. All of these factors come together to help drive economics.”
To hear more about the background of Mhp elimination studies and its economic importance to your herd, click to listen to segment one.
In segment two, The Morrison Group welcomed Dr. Amanda Sponheim, DVM, Technical Specialist Veterinarian, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) and Graduate Student at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota.
Dr. Sponheim discussed the protocols and different sampling techniques to consider when working toward eliminating Mhp. “We’re looking at different ante mortem techniques, pulling from multiple research papers for the best sampling technique with the best diagnostic sensitivity.”
Listen to segment two to learn the best practices for these sampling techniques.
In the final segment, Dr. Maria Pieters, DVM, PhD, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota discussed how to determine your “day zero” to begin the Mhp elimination.
“To ensure you have 100 percent exposure to firmly establish day zero is difficult,” she explained. “Even when we infect pigs experientially, it is difficult to have to go intratracheally and put the mycoplasma directly into the pig. But for people who are attempting Mhp eliminations, this is the method they are using because it is the most consistent one we have right now. You want to make sure you get 100 percent of the animals infected.”
To hear more about how reach day zero in your barns, tune into segment three.
— The Morrison Group
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