The recent Boehringer Ingelheim PRRS Seminar in Chicago, IL, brought swine animal health experts from around the world together to discuss research studies and compare and contrast notes on the PRRS virus. I spoke with Dr. Clayton Johnson after his presentation on the application of PRRS control protocols. Dr. Johnson is the Director of Health at The Maschhoffs. “We were …
Update on PRRS Diagnostic Testing
As part of the 2013 North American PRRS Symposium, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health hosted the BIVI PRRS ARC&E Seminar. It was a morning full of experts discussing PRRS Area Regional Control, as well as what is being done in the field. The morning started off with Dr. Rodger Main, Director of the Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory at Iowa State University. He …
New Guy With BIVI
Meet Del Birkhofer, the brand new executive director of the swine business for Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc (BIVI). Del has 26 years of experience in the animal health industry, working with Merck and Merial, and he is happy to make this move to BIVI at this point in his career. “I was looking at my future and BI is one …
The Expanding World of Hog Feed Choices
Once upon a time, commercial hog diets consisted mainly of corn and soybeans, but the menu has greatly expanded out of necessity since commodity prices increased a few years ago. That expansion has brought with it both opportunities and challenges for producers, according to Iowa State University Professor of Animal Science Dr. John Patience, who spoke to swine veterinarians last …
Welcome To World Pork Expo
The 2011 World Pork Expo is starting in Des Moines, IA. Welcoming the media was Doug Wolf, President, National Pork Producers Council. Doug is a producer from Lancaster, WI. He says there are over 450 exhibitors from eleven different countries and attendees from 33 countries. He says they’re expecting over 20,000 producers to attend. Attendees will find business seminars on …
BIVI Offers A Triple Threat for Pig Disease Control
I learned a lot during Boehringer Ingelheim’s (BIVI) 2011 Swine Health Seminar, but maybe my biggest take away was that there are three diseases that seem to be a problem for the swine industry: mycoplasma, flu and PRRS. I also learned some other valuable information: BIVI has a triple threat for swine disease control called 3FLEX. This I learned more …
Yellow Bird Indian Dancers Light Up BIVI’s After Party
After a great day of learning about key issues in the swine industry during the 2011 Swine Health Seminar sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim (BIVI), the attendees headed out to have a little fun. Nearly 300 people descended on the Phoenician Resort in Phoenix, AZ at sundown for a spectacular sunrise, amazing food and great entertainment. BIVI brought in some native …
BIVI Discusses Top Trends in Swine Industry
Just a few days ago, Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) hosted its 2011 Swine Health Seminar in Phoenix. Before the first session began, I had a chance to speak with Tyler Holck, Director of Swine Technical Services. to learn about some of the trends that are happening in the swine industry. “The industry continues to consolidate. So with all the different issues …
Proud to be an Omnivore
While in North Carolina for the Boehringer Ingelheim Swine Health Seminar over the weekend, I had some of the best pork I have ever eaten. The hotel served up a fresh whole hog with a tasty vinegar sauce that was fabulous. The best thing about the airport in Charlotte (which I spent an inordinate amount of time in on Sunday) …
Precision Ag for Swine Production
Livestock producers could take a cue from their crop brethren and adopt some precision technology to be more efficient. That advice comes from ag economist and swine industry specialist Dennis DiPietre, who spoke at the Boehringer Ingelheim swine health seminar in North Carolina on Friday. “It’s a really interesting road map what has been going on with precision agriculture techniques,” …