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Showpig.com All-Star Team

We are seeking high school students with a love for pigs!

Showpig.com is seeking nominations for the top 24 high school and current eighth grade students in the nation to be a part of the Showpig.com All-Star Team and take part in the summer Leadership Conference. We are seeking current 8^th grade, high school freshman, sophomores, and juniors who love pigs and have a desire to make a difference in the world through leadership and community service. Ideal candidates are dreaming and planning a future within the swine industry (showing or production) and desire to be challenged in cutting-edge leadership and livestock thinking.

Beyond the honor and recognition of being selected as one of the 24 best young people in the nation, this team of highly motivated and talented students will gather in West Virginia this summer for a five night, six day, life-empowering Leadership Conference where they will:

•         Learn practical show ring and swine production applications from national leaders.

•         Build a reproducible quarantine barn that addresses one of the swine industries greatest needs.
•         Be involved in "Farm to Table" and "Farm to School" projects.

•         Experience the Greenbrier Resort in the Allegheny Mountains.

•         Be immersed in the rich agricultural and livestock culture of West Virginia.

•         Building life-long friendships with other students from across America.

•         Come away with greater dreams and visions for their chapters and their personal livestock future.

Showpig.com is excited to invest in young people within our industry through our All-Star Team. We believe that being part of the 2014 Showpig.com All-Star Team will be a life-changing experience! The Leadership Conference will be in Romney, West Virginia. Thursday, June 12th – Tuesday, June 17^th. We are seeking the help of teachers, agricultural organization leaders, parents, grandparents and friends of high school students to nominate potential candidates.

Questions about PEDV? Don't miss Pork Board's Webinars!

Do you have questions about how Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) will affect the showpig industry? If so, check out the National Pork Board's PEDV FAQ Webinars tailored for those who show, sell and exhibit swine.

The Pork Board will host two webinars, one on Friday, Feb. 21, and another on Monday, Feb. 24. To log-in and join the discussion, use the access codes listed below.

Friday, Feb. 21, 2014 
Time: 3:00 p.m., Central Standard Time
Meeting Password: p0rk

To join the online meeting go to: https://pork.webex.co/pork/j.php?MTID=mc9d0814997d782aa9d6e9f6305c7f171 

To join by audio conference only:
Phone number: 1-877-668-4490

Access code: 578 265 276  

Monday, Feb. 24, 2014 
Time: 3:00 p.m., Central Standard Time
Meeting Password: p0rk

To join the online meeting go to: https://pork.webex.com/pork/j.php?MTID=m40d8bd998ade631f1916250ad5f35b1b

To join the audio conference only:

Phone number: 1-877-668-4490

Access code:576 424 800 

 

If you have questions regarding the webinars or would like to submit a question about the virus to Pork Board, please contact Bryn Jensson at bjensson@pork.org.  

For more information regarding PEDV please use these references provided by Pork Board. 

Swine Health Recommendations: Exhibitors of All Pigs Going to Exhibits or Sales – click here for information

Swine Health Recommendations: Organizers of Exhibitions and Sales - click here for more information

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) – What Is It? - click here for information

 

A Letter to Our Exhibitors

Recently, there have been many questions in regards to swine health concerns and how this may impact shows and events hosted by National Swine Registry (NSR), the American Berkshire Association (ABA), Certified Pedigreed Swine (CPS), the National Junior Swine Association (NJSA) and Team Purebred. In particular, the presence of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) has generated speculation of cancelling events hosted by purebred swine associations.

The swine industry consists of multiple production segments, including the purebred swine and showpig industries. We understand the importance of continuing to offer avenues for our members to market seedstock through NSR, ABA and CPS-hosted shows and sales. It is also vital to provide youth with opportunities to gain positive experiences through NJSA and Team Purebred-hosted swine shows. As a result, the swine breed associations will continue to offer scheduled events, as planned, with the cooperation of our participants.

In order to continue to provide opportunities for sales and exhibitions, it is important that breeders, exhibitors and swine industry leaders work together to uphold biosecurity guidelines and follow health regulations that are in place. Take ownership in educating yourself on biosecurity and swine health guidelines with accurate information provided by credible sources. If hosting sales or delivering purchased pigs, be sure to obtain proper health certificates that meet all specified state requirements. Many states have different health requirements for livestock transport and entry.

The associations have continued to keep open lines of communication with state and show veterinarians and officials that assist with the coordination of our scheduled events for 2014. We continue to seek guidance in developing health protocols for shows and sales in order to ensure the best biosecurity protocols are in place. Participants in events are encouraged to continually monitor our organizations’ website for updates on health requirements.

It is the responsibility of breeders and exhibitors, of all ages, to be conscious of monitoring swine health before, during and after shows and sales. The National Pork Board has developed many excellent resources on biosecurity for exhibitors and show managers. Below are links to articles that have been developed with exhibitors and show managers in mind.

We appreciate your willingness to cooperate with exhibition and transportation guidelines in order to help protect the swine industry. As history has proven before, when the swine industry has been challenged with adversity, its passionate people have collaborated to persevere.

Resources from the National Pork Board

Swine Health Recommendations: Exhibitors of All Pigs Going to Exhibits or Sales – click here for information

Swine Health Recommendations: Organizers of Exhibitions and Sales - click here for more information

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) – What Is It? - click here for information

ATTENTION: Southwest Type Conference Exhibitors

With the Southwest Type Conference quickly approaching, exhibitors are encouraged to review the following information. It is important that all exhibitors are diligent in complying with inspection of swine and health certificates at shows & sales. Also, be sure that CVI’s meet all health regulations listed below for the Southwest Type Conference.


Arrival & Check-In

• Hogs may begin arriving at the Bell County Expo Center at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 26th. All swine must be in the barns by 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 27th.

• Upon arriving at the Bell County Expo Center, swine and health certificates will be inspected at a vet check point prior to unloading. Any animals unloaded prior to veterinarian inspection will be dismissed from barns and forfeit participation in the show and sale.

 

Health Regulations

1. Each animal must be accompanied by TWO COPIES of an official interstate health certificate issued by a licensed, accredited veterinarian. Certificate must show name and address of consignor; consigned to the Southwest Type Conference, 301 W. Loop, Belton, TX 76513; individual identification of the animal; and health status of animal including the dates of required tests and vaccinations.
2. All certificates must be issued on or after Jan. 30, 2014, with the following information: 

1. All animals must be tested for Pseudorabies (PRV) and Brucellosis on or after Jan. 30, 2014, unless they come from a PRV qualified and Brucellosis validated herd. Swine tested for PRV and Brucellosis must show the date blood sample was drawn (month, day and year). If the herd of origin is PRV qualified and Brucellosis validated, individual testing of the swine will not be required. In this case, the PRV qualification and Brucellosis validation numbers must appear on the health certificate and complete date (month, day and year) must be stated on certificate.
2. Leptospirosis vaccination is required on breeding swine within 30 days prior to entry with vaccine containing the following strains: Canicola, Hardjo, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Grippotyphosa, and Pomona. Vaccination date must appear on the health certificate.
3. A statement must appear that says the animal has not been fed garbage, has not had any signs or diagnosis of TGE or PEDV in the last 60 days, has not been exposed to hog cholera, does not originate from a quarantined herd, nor has the herd of origin had PRV within the last six months, nor have the entries themselves been vaccinated for PRV; also that vesicular stomatitus has not been diagnosed within 10 miles of the farm of origin within the last 30 days
4. Certificates are not required to be state stamped. In some instances these rules are in addition to Texas regulations, but are necessary to sell animals into some states.

General Biosecurity Reminders

We encourage event participants and attendees to review the following biosecurity information provided by the National Pork Board.

Swine Health Recommendations: Exhibitors of All Pigs Attending Shows & Sales – click here for information.

 

ATTENTION! Updated Southeast Regional and Winter Type Conference health requirement

Due to a recent change in health requirements for exhibition, exhibitors attending the NJSA Southeast Regional or NSR Winter Type Conference are required to meet the following requirements for pseudorabies and brucellosis testing.**

1. All hogs must be tested negative for brucellosis and pseudorabies within 30 days of the event, unless swine originate from a validated brucellosis-free herd and a qualified pseudorabies herd. Validation and qualification numbers and the date of last test conducted must be recorded on the certificate of veterinary inspection.
2. This includes all junior show and open show animals. (Georgia entries that are only participating in the junior show are an exception to the 30 day health certificate and are eligible to use seasonal health certificates for Georgia exhibitions)

For complete rules and regulations visit nationalswine.com.

**Due to the short notice of this updated regulation, if you are unable to obtain test results prior to the event, please contact Brian Arnold at arnold@nationalswine.com or 765.463.3594 ext: 106. 

NSR Office Closed January 6-7, 2014

The office the National Swine Registry will be closed on Monday, January 6th and Tuesday, January 7th due to severe weather conditions.

Biosecurity reminders from National Pork Board

With porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) expected to become even more prevalent this winter, producers need to be extra cautious when traveling to shows and sales.

The National Pork Board has created these two handouts for swine exhibitors and swine show organizers to follow. Do your part to help contain PED, and follow their biosecurity practices.

Swine Exhibitor Handout

Swine Event Organizer Handout

Lois Britt Memorial Scholarship Dec. 9 Deadline Approaches

Four students who intend to purse a career in the pork industry will be awarded $2,500 scholarships through the Lois Britt Memorial Scholarship Program sponsored by CME and administered by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). 

Introduced in 1990 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Live Hog Futures, the program recognizes talented and thoughtful students who will become the next generation of industry leaders. 

To be apply you must:
1. Be an undergraduate student in a two-year swine program or four-year college of agriculture;
2. Write a brief letter indicating what role you see yourself playing in the pork industry after graduation;
3. Submit an essay of 750 words or less describing an issue you see confronting the pork industry today or in the future and offer your solutions;
4. Obtain two letters of reference from current or former professors or industry professionals; Prepare a cover
sheet with your:
A - name
B - complete mailing address, telephone number, and E-mail address
C - school name
D - year in school
E – permanent mailing address and telephone number
5. Submit the above items in a single envelope to:
National Pork Producers Council 
 ATTN: Craig Boelling
PO Box 10383
Des Moines, Iowa 50306-9960
Or e-mail to: Craig Boelling at boellingc@nppc.org

NOTE: All entries must be postmarked by DECEMBER 9, 2013

The National Pork Producers Council  will administer the program, read the essays and select the winners. Essays will be judged on the basis of clarity or expression, persuasiveness, originality and relevance of topic. Winners will be announced at the Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City, Mo., on March 6-8, 2014. NPPC reserves the right to publish any or parts of the essays submitted.

For additional information, please contact Craig Boelling at 515-278-8012 (boellingc@nppc.org)

Fall Classic Ear Tag Requirement Information

The following information has been provided to the National Swine Registry from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture. This information is designed to assist exhibitors with questions regarding ear tag requirements for the 2013 NSR Fall Classic. Remember, all swine entering the Stephens County Fairgrounds (including parking lot animals) must be tagged with an official, federally recognized ear tag.

Ear tags for swine entering the Stephens County Fairgrounds should have a nationally unique number and a US Shield emblem. These are unlawful to remove after application.

Option 1) Metal “brite” tag. These are also referred to as “NUES tags” or “Pass Tags”. They come in two different sizes (pictured is the larger version). Most all large animal veterinarians will have these. State Departments of Agriculture should also be capable of sending these directly to their producers. ODAFF can only send these to OK producers.



Option 2) “RFID”, “EID”, “AIN”, or“840 tags”. Available by sale from the major tag manufactures with a Premises Identification Number (PIN). ODAFF may supply directly to OK producers.
 

Al Christian update

Al Christian update 10/17/13

Everyone:

Al has been released from hospital and is recuperating now at home... his home address is 1002 Arizona Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50014 - 3611, if you want send a card or note...

His cell number is 515.460.4352 or his home phone is 515.292.2257...

America's Best Genetics feature in International Pig Topics

America's Best Genetics (ABG), a division of the National Swine Registry (NSR), was featured in International Pig Topics magazine's "Breeder Review."

The write-up highlighted both ABG and NSR's commitment to being the source for pure genetic progress. Through the ABG program, purebred breeders combine their experience from years of raising breeding stock with modern technical advances to continue to make genetic progress in the Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace and Yorkshire breeds that can improve commercial producers' bottom lines. 

In order to best serve the commercial swine industry, ABG members continue to emphasize the production of seedstock with documented quality and predictability with programs like the Swine Testing and Genetic Evaluation System (STAGES™). 

Developed by the NSR to facilitate genetic improvement, STAGES™ calculates the most economically significant traits and predicts the genetic value of each pig. Through accurate data collection and reporting, a database of nearly two million performance records has been compiled for numerous economically relevant traits, and with state-of-the-art technology, EPDs and indexes are updated each evening. These predictions of genetic merit, coupled with a DNA-verified pedigree structure, help purebred operations find ways to make hogs better and more profitable, and help ABG members market their genetics to more than 40 countries.

To learn more about ABG pick up the latest International Pig Topics magazine (Vol. 28, No. 6) and flip to page 19, or contact Doug Newcom, Vice President of Global Technical Service, at doug@nationalswine.com. 

Al Christian contact info

Everyone:

Here is an update on Al Christian... Al suffered a hemorrhagic stroke in the cerebellum following the National Barrow Show... Last week he was moved to Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa, from Mercy Hospital, for rehab. I visited Al Saturday morning and he is making progress. I know he would appreciate hearing from you all. Here is the address to send cards and letters,  Mary Greeley Medical Center, Al Christian, Room 315 Rehab, 1111 Duff Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50010

Please keep Al and his family in your thoughts and prayers!

NSR promotes purebred genetics abroad with a trade trip to Vietnam

NSR Vice President of Global Technical Service Dr. Doug Newcom spent a week in Vietnam promoting purebred swine genetics during an agricultural trade mission held in conjunction with the US Grains Council’s 5^th Vietnam Swine Symposiums. 

 

The symposiums, held in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, were two-day seminars designed to provide technical information about genetics, health, management and feed mill operations to Vietnam swine producers and allied-industry partners, feed and nutrition companies. 

More than 200 attendees participated in the events that highlighted American production practices. Newcom presented on breed selection and on-farm evaluation and herd monitoring and recording. In addition to Newcom, other presenters included Dr. Bob Thaler, of South Dakota State University; Dr. Barry Kerkaert, of the Pipestone Veterinary Clinic;  and Dr. Rommel Salobu, of the University of Philippines at Los Banos. 

The group also visited swine farms in Vietnam. Kerkaert and Newcom toured the Vinh Tan firm, a 3,500-sow commercial producer with 20,000 finishing spaces. The group expressed interest in a 1,200-sow GGP/GP herd and feed mill.  Thaler and Salobu visited Viet Chau, a 300-sow farm and grains importer, and Mr. Pham Van Bo who operates a 300-sow farm.

Newcom joined a discussion with Max Waldo, owner of Waldo Farms, Inc., regarding a possible joint-venture operation in Vietnam, which would continue to increase the influence of NSR’s purebred genetics abroad. 

Finally, the group met with the new USDA Counselor for Agricultural Affairs from the US Embassy in Hanoi.