John Blue, SwineCast Industry

John Blue is the editor of the SwineCast update and the SwineCast Industry blogs.
Email: jlblue@TruffleMedia.com

How are Technology and Agriculture Working Together?

National Institute for Animal AgricultureAgriculture Technology Helping Food Safety This year's National Institute for Animal Agriculture conference provided a cross-section of the livestock industry unlike any other event. Of note is the session track focused on Foot and Mouth Disease preparedness. The working session was especially valuable given the range of industries represented.

Animal Welfare During a Disease Outbreak

Animal Welfare During a Disease OutbreakWhat Happens If a Disease Outbreak Occurs? Dr. Patrick Webb, Director - Swine Health Programs, National Pork Board, points out the choke points in the process of an animal disease outbreak occurring. Dr. Webb goes through specifics of how an outbreak is monitored and managed over time. He recommends that farms provide accurate information, have secure supply plans, and that industry continue to provide duration and resources.

Dr. Patrick Webb - Animal Welfare During a Disease Outbreak


Animal Welfare During a Disease Outbreak - Dr. Patrick Webb, Director - Swine Health Programs, National Pork Board, from the 2013 NIAA Merging Values and Technology conference, April 15-17, 2013, Louisville, KY, USA.

Dr. Barb Masters - Emergency Preparedness and Response


Emergency Preparedness and Response - Dr. Barb Masters, Senior Policy Advisor, OFW Law, from the 2013 NIAA Merging Values and Technology conference, April 15-17, 2013, Louisville, KY, USA.

Dr. Lindsey Holmstrom - Feral Swine and Foreign and Emerging Animal Diseases


Feral Swine and Foreign and Emerging Animal Diseases - Dr. Lindsey Holmstrom; Diagnostic Epidemiologist, Center for Foreign Animal and Zoonotic Center, from the 2013 NIAA Merging Values and Technology conference, April 15-17, 2013, Louisville, KY, USA.

Mr. Neil Hammerschmidt - USDA-APHIS IT Update


USDA-APHIS IT Update - Mr. Neil Hammerschmidt, Manager, Animal Disease Traceability, USDA/APHIS/ VS, from the 2013 NIAA Merging Values and Technology conference, April 15-17, 2013, Louisville, KY, USA.

What is the Role of Animal Science?

Grand Societal Challenges and the Role of Animal ScienceGrand Societal Challenges Mr. Lowell Randel digs into the challenges facing agriculture and how animal sciences can play an important role to funding, research, and policy. Issues to tackle? Water use, understanding pathogens, and growing food in a changing climate.

Getting Comprehensive

Comprehensive Food Safety SystemWhat Are Food Safety Systems? Dr. John Ruby shares why a comprehensive food safety system is important. He highlights actions being taken by JBS as a global meat processing company and details actions the meat community needs to tackle with respect to consistently producing safe food. He says "Although we all agree there is a need for Food Safety, each segment of the industry is a slightly different 'shade' when it comes to responsibility."

Animal Agriculture and Financial Impact of Tomorrow

Ag Financial Impact of TomorrowAg's Financial Impact of Tomorrow Ms. Deborah Perkins presents a three part session to cover: 1) key drivers behind technology developments; 2) factors affecting uptake of technology; and 3) implications from a financier’s perspective. Take away: "Technologies with a positive impact on profitability will be attractive to players all along the chain."

Can Regulations Be Updated for Pseudorabies and Swine Brucellosis?

A New Approach to Pseudorabies and Swine BrucellosisA New Approach to Pseudorabies and Swine Brucellosis: A Concept Dr. Troy Bigelow overviews the paper "A New Approach to PRV and SB: A Concept" and the proposal for changing the regulations of pseudorabies and swine brucellosis. Dr. Bigelow points out that the regulations currently in place from 1970's and the effort to change them is a must so that the public are protected.