CWSHIN Advises Pork Producers to be Aware of Aujeszky’s Disease

Sep 21, 2020

The Canada West Swine Health Intelligence Network is advising pork producers to be aware of the prospects of Aujeszky's Disease or Pseudorabies. The U.S. commercial swine herd has been considered Pseudorabies-free since 2014 but in June an adult female feral pig, sampled in Oregon, tested positive for Aujeszky’s Disease, the first detection of the infection in a feral pig in the U.S. since 2007.

Canada West Swine Health Intelligence Network Manager Dr. Jette Christensen says this is a disease we do not want in Canada.

Clip-Dr. Jette Christensen-Canada West Swine Health Intelligence Network:

It's been known that there is Aujeszky’s Disease or Pseudorabies in wild pigs in the United States for quite some years so I don't think it will change the U.S. status at all. But what it does is it reminds us that wild pigs could have Aujeszky’s Disease and it reminds us that we do want to keep a very secure biosecurity barrier between wild pigs and farmed pigs.

Oregon is not right next to Canada but it's still pretty far north compared to other detections of Aujeszky’s Disease in the U.S. so it's just a reminder for us to be looking out for that disease as well.

It is very highly contagious so it spreads very rapidly within a herd. Canada has a very suspectable population of farmed pigs so I would expect very severe signs if the virus should occur in Canada. What I've seen is 100 percent mortality in preweaning pigs and that means that all pigs less than three weeks of age will die within 48 hours.

Source : Farmscape

Video: You Be The Judge: Evaluating 8 Breeding Rams!

It's time for some honest feedback here at Ewetopia Farms! Today, we’re showing you all eight rams we used for breeding this year. Instead of just presenting them, we thought it would be fun to create a “Ram Report Card” — where we point out both their strengths and areas for improvement.

But here’s the twist: you be the judge! In the comments, let us know what you like about each ram and what you think could be improved. No ram is ever perfect, but every one of them brings something valuable to the flock. By sharing perspectives, we all learn more about what to look for in good breeding stock.

At Ewetopia Farms, we raise registered Suffolk and Polled Dorset sheep, focusing on high-quality genetics, structure, and friendly temperaments. Evaluating breeding rams is part of the bigger picture of building stronger flocks — and we’re excited to share the process with you.

If you enjoy seeing how we evaluate our animals, follow along by subscribing to our channel. We share daily insights into the joys and challenges of sheep farming here in Canada.