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PRRS Corner:PRRS Regional Elimination Project -- Michigan

October 17, 2012 — Becky Eaves

The Michigan PRRS elimination project is managed by Dr. Jim Kober at Swine Vet Services of Michigan and Beth Ferry, Extension Educator at Michigan State University and is also sponsored by the Michigan Pork Producers Association. The project covers 100 sites in Allegan and Ottawa counties and is entering its fourth year. Some unique factors of this project include: 1)All incoming pigs into the area come from known premises, and 2)All premises within the project area have been identified (with the exception of all the 4H kids), including show pigs.

The sow farms are rope testing weaned pigs for PRRS on a regular basis. The finishers are rope testing at the end of each group or three to four times per year for continuous flow units. Serum testing is used to confirm positive results. With all pigs coming into the area with known PRRS status, the severe strains of PRRSV have been kept out and the area is fairly stabilized. A mild break occurred last winter, but it was a very small step backward. Dr. Kober stated that while it is wonderful progress to have no severe breaks, the down side is that it is hard to motivate people to change their behavior when they see no reason to do so. To that effect, Dr. Kober wants to start using more funding toward education and have the producers start paying for more of their own testing.

The steering committee for the project meets about every six weeks and communication has been mainly through email and columns in the Michigan Pork Producers newsletter. Guest speakers, including Bob Morrison from the University of Minnesota and Scott Dee from Pipestone Veterinary Clinic, have provided valuable insight at producer meetings. Jason Manning, a producer from Ohio who had a severe PRRS break last year, has also spoken to the producers.

Future plans include continuing prevention plans, education, and outreach. The hope is to have complete stabilization of the project area and to eventually work towards complete PRRS eradication.

Becky Eaves, PRRS CAP Coordinator