PED can be spread by air, say U.S. researchers Wednesday, September 10, 2014 by SUSAN MANNOntario hog famers should maintain their same heightened biosecurity protocols for now even though American researchers have found there’s a possibility porcine epidemic diarrhea virus can be spread by air.Mike DeGroot, Ontario Pork’s national biosecurity coordinator, says the virus is predominately spread by fecal-oral contact and not by air but under certain conditions airborne transmission is a possibility.PED virus is not a food safety or human health risk. It doesn’t affect other animals besides pigs. But it is considered to be a significant production disease and Ontario law makes it mandatory to report the disease to the Ontario agriculture ministry. PED virus wipes out almost all nursing piglets but older animals can recover.In an article on the Veterinary Research website, University of Minnesota researchers say they’ve demonstrated the porcine epidemic virus (PED) can become airborne and remain infectious in the air, and that the virus’s genetic material can be transported for long distances following natural infections. The researchers say to their knowledge theirs is the first report to establish PED virus can be found in the air and that suspended airborne particles can be infectious.Veterinary Research says on its website it is an open access journal that publishes high quality and novel research along with reviewing articles focusing on infectious diseases.DeGroot says the location of the studies in the United States may have been a factor in the findings. “I know the studies were conducted in Oklahoma in a very pig-dense location with large sow farms and very humid conditions,” he notes. “That’s a very different weather type than what we get here sometimes.”The Minnesota University researchers say further studies are now needed to assess the risk of airborne transmission of PED virus among farms and the need to address this route in biosecurity and health control programs.DeGroot says the research on airborne transmission of the virus “shouldn’t change any biosecurity protocols. I think we’re still looking at a virus that transmits mostly by what they call the fecal-oral route. We’re looking at manure contamination or contaminated surfaces,” such as boots, equipment or transport trailers. But the surfaces don’t necessarily need to have visible manure on them to be contaminated with the virus. Sometimes “there could be microscopic viruses that we’re dealing with here,” he says.Ontario farmers don’t need to change their heightened biosecurity protocols for now because of these new findings. DeGroot says factors about the virus that they’ve known about for awhile still apply, such as the virus survives better outside of a pig in cold temperatures.So far in Ontario there have been 63 confirmed cases on farms since Jan. 22 when the first farm in Middlesex County was confirmed to have the virus. The virus has also been circulating in the United States since April 2013. BF Behind the Lines - October 2014 Mitchell hog plant sold
Manitoba pork, canola producers hold steady amid heavy tariffs Wednesday, July 9, 2025 A slab of back bacon from Natural Raised Pork comes with a waitlist. Ian Smith points to tariffs. Since the United States placed levies on imports from Canada, Manitobans have increasingly been calling Smith about his farm near Argyle, some 40 kilometres northwest of... Read this article online
Best Remote Security Systems for Farms Without WiFi Tuesday, July 8, 2025 In rural areas where WiFi connectivity is scarce, farmers often rely on cellular-based security systems to monitor their remote buildings and equipment. In this article, we explore the top five remote security systems that operate over cellular networks, highlighting their pros, cons, and... Read this article online
Alberta Grant Helps Farmers Hire and Train Class 1 Drivers Tuesday, July 8, 2025 Did you know that if you are looking to expand your farm team with skilled Class 1 drivers Alberta's Class 1 Learning Pathway Grant Program offers employers up to $25,000 per new hire to support training, onboarding, and professional development? This initiative is part of the... Read this article online
Battle River-Crowfoot voters decide Poilievre’s future on Aug. 18 Tuesday, July 8, 2025 The date is set for the federal byelection in Battle River-Crowfoot. On Aug. 18, the riding of 107,979 people as of the 2021 Census, will either grant or deny Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre a seat back in the House of Commons. “It would be an honour to represent the people of... Read this article online
Stats Canada publishes 2026 Census of Agriculture questions Tuesday, July 8, 2025 Canadian farmers wanting to prepare for next year’s Census of Agriculture can do so. Statistics Canada has published the questions it will be asking in the 2026 ag questionnaire. “The data are needed to make informed decisions about business risk management strategies, agricultural... Read this article online