Pork producers have seen tremendous advances in swine genetics when it comes to production. In the last fifty years, the yield of lean meat per kilogram of feed has more than doubled. Genetic researchers are now turning their attention to swine diseases such as Porcine Reproduction and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS).
PRRS is a virus which attacks the defense systems in pigs, leaving them susceptible to health problems like pneumonia, diarrhoea, abortions and stillbirths. The Canadian Swine Health Board estimates the disease costs the Canadian pork industry about $100 million per year. The United States pork industry loses about $580 million to PRRS, according to the board.
Several North American organizations are working together, as part of the PRRS Host Genetics Consortium, to research how genetics play a role in PRRS infections. South of the border, researchers at Newsham Choice Genetics are studying genetic tolerance to PRRS. Archie Clutter, vice president of research and development at Newsham, expects that some parts of the swine genome will relate specifically to PRRS, but many parts will also be important for general disease tolerance.
Newsham is validating their laboratory findings by studying pigs from the field that have been exposed to PRRS and other diseases like circovirus. Dr. Mark Weaver, CEO of Newsham, explains that the research will not be used to change swine genetics, but to select for resistance.
In Canada, Genome Alberta is coordinating a three-year research project studying the role of genetics in pigs that host PRRS. Stephen Moore of the University of Alberta and Bob Kemp of PigGen Canada Inc. are the project leaders. Their team includes researchers from the University of Alberta, Michigan State University, and Iowa State University.
In the long-term, researchers hope to develop tools to select pigs that are less susceptible to PRRS. Researchers also hope that their work will lead to better diagnostics, bio-therapeutics, and vaccines for PRRS.
Such research has many potential long-term benefits to the pork industry, such as cost reduction and improved animal health and welfare. Diseases can also affect the meat trade, and, in some cases, food safety.
PRRS is a virus which attacks the defense systems in pigs, leaving them susceptible to health problems like pneumonia, diarrhoea, abortions and stillbirths. The Canadian Swine Health Board estimates the disease costs the Canadian pork industry about $100 million per year. The United States pork industry loses about $580 million to PRRS, according to the board.
Several North American organizations are working together, as part of the PRRS Host Genetics Consortium, to research how genetics play a role in PRRS infections. South of the border, researchers at Newsham Choice Genetics are studying genetic tolerance to PRRS. Archie Clutter, vice president of research and development at Newsham, expects that some parts of the swine genome will relate specifically to PRRS, but many parts will also be important for general disease tolerance.
Newsham is validating their laboratory findings by studying pigs from the field that have been exposed to PRRS and other diseases like circovirus. Dr. Mark Weaver, CEO of Newsham, explains that the research will not be used to change swine genetics, but to select for resistance.
In Canada, Genome Alberta is coordinating a three-year research project studying the role of genetics in pigs that host PRRS. Stephen Moore of the University of Alberta and Bob Kemp of PigGen Canada Inc. are the project leaders. Their team includes researchers from the University of Alberta, Michigan State University, and Iowa State University.
In the long-term, researchers hope to develop tools to select pigs that are less susceptible to PRRS. Researchers also hope that their work will lead to better diagnostics, bio-therapeutics, and vaccines for PRRS.
Such research has many potential long-term benefits to the pork industry, such as cost reduction and improved animal health and welfare. Diseases can also affect the meat trade, and, in some cases, food safety.