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“Real world” study shows some feed ingredients are more susceptible to swine virus transmission

A commercial-scale swine virus study shows some feeds are more susceptible to being tainted during transportation.

In January, Dr. Scott Dee with Pipestone Veterinary Services in southwest Minnesota dropped small amounts of PRRS, Seneca Valley, and PEDv into one ton feed totes containing soybean meal or complete feed products that were transported across 29 states.

“And what we learned was all the viruses lived in the soy products and were infectious to pigs. In the complete feed, which was interesting, we actually fed that to another group of pigs (and) let them eat it naturally and only the Seneca and PED survived and were transmitted to the pigs.”

He tells Brownfield the research paper has been accepted for publication and will provide real proof that viruses can live in feed.

“Some more so than others (while) some ingredients are quite protective, and it takes the laboratory studies that we’ve done and raises them up to a new level. This is the first time this work has ever been done out in the field, which I think adds a great deal more credibility.”

Dee says the findings also raise concerns about diseases like African swine fever and Foot-and-Mouth Disease entering the U.S. through imported feed ingredients, and he would like to see a more controlled means of entry on those bulk shipments.