Newsroom

DALLAS - Keeping farm animals healthy is the best way to protect them from harmful, infectious diseases. The Oregon State University Extension Service recently released a publication aimed at pork producers that offers disease-prevention guidelines for swine production.

"Suggested Vaccinations for Oregon Pork Producers" emphasizes the use of vaccines to promote swine health and lists the most commonly used vaccinations by swine producers in Oregon. The brochure was developed jointly by the OSU Extension Service and the Oregon Pork Producers Council.

"This eight-page publication, in part, is a response to problems associated with several swine disease outbreaks at county fairs and the state fair in Oregon last year," said Gene Pirelli, OSU Extension Swine Program Leader and field faculty member in the Polk County office of the OSU Extension Service.

To avoid similar outbreaks this year, the Oregon Pork Producers association volunteered to help develop a health-maintenance guide for pigs that provides valuable information for individuals showing animals at fairs as well as hobby and commercial swine producers, Pirelli added.

The brochure was developed for both adult and youth pork producers. It includes health recommendations for gilts, sows, and show pigs; and covers a broad range of topics, including why animals get sick, how to minimize the risk of disease, and recommended vaccinations for pigs from birth to market. The publication also contains a summary of injection sites and recommended injection needle sizes.

"The information in the guide stresses that vaccinations must be given to animals well ahead of shows and fairs to provide maximum protection from disease," said Pirelli. "There's no guarantee that pigs will be disease-free, but following the guidelines will minimize the chance of infection."

Copies of "Suggested Vaccinations for Oregon Pork Producers" are available at no cost from Gene Pirelli. Contact him at 503-623-8395. Copies are also available at many county Extension Offices in Oregon. An electronic version of the publication can be viewed on the OSU Extension Animal Sciences Swine Website at http://oregonstate.edu/dept/animal-sciences/swineext.htm.