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Researchers Evaluate Technologies to Contain Airborne Pathogens

Researchers with the University of Minnesota are exploring different technologies being used in other industries that might be effectively applied to swine barns to contain the spread of airborne pathogens.
The University of Minnesota in partnership with the Swine Health Information Center is evaluating existing and emerging technologies across different industries for their ability to contain bioaerosols in the face of swine disease outbreaks.
SHIC Executive Director Dr. Paul Sundberg explains the goal is to identify and evaluate technologies such as fibrous filtration, ultraviolet light, electrostatic precipitation and others that might be effectively applied to airborne pathogens, such as PRRS or Mycoplasma that affect swine.

Clip-Dr. Paul Sundberg-Swine Health Information Center:
We want to make sure that we get as broad a look as we can to see if there are other technologies that are being used in other industries, for example in the coal industry or even in the Department of Defence, any place that has the idea that we want to keep pathogens, particles or some emission within the system that we have.
We're asking the question, if there are other industries that are interested in keeping emissions in, then how are they doing it and can we apply it to pork production?
That's the idea, that's the goal here.
This is one step in the process.
We're looking at different biocontainment technologies that are used in different areas.
The next step, after we have this accounting, is to try to asses them for useability in the pork industry.
It may be that there may be a long list and we've got quite list of different technologies that can be used but they may not all be able to be used in pork production.
That's the next step, to make sure that we're looking at cost effectiveness for each of these as well.

Dr. Sundberg encourages anyone who knows of an innovative technology that might work for swine to contact the Swine Health Information Center.

Source : Farmscape.ca

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In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. David Rosero from Iowa State University explores the critical aspects of fat quality and oxidation in swine diets. He discusses how different types of lipids affect pig performance and provides actionable insights on managing lipid oxidation in feed mills. Don’t miss this episode—available on all major platforms.

Highlight quote: "Increasing levels of oxidized fats in swine diets reduced the efficiency of feed utilization, increased mortality, and led to more pigs being classified as culls, reducing the number of full-value pigs entering the finishing barns."

Meet the guest: Dr. David Rosero / davidrosero is an assistant professor of animal science at Iowa State University. His research program focuses on conducting applied research on swine nutrition and the practical application of smart farming. He previously served as the technical officer for The Hanor Company, overseeing nutrition, research, and innovation efforts.