Pig
Home / / Pig

FFAR, NPB funds research to detect, understand ASF virus

FFAR, NPB funds research to detect, understand ASF virus
Author: FeedStuffs
Publish date: Monday. December 23rd, 2019

Collaborative research projects at Kansas State University and Iowa State University to study virus survival and diagnostic methodologies.

FFAR said the goal is to keep the U.S. free of ASFV.

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and the National Pork Board (NPB) announced Oct. 22 that they have awarded $535,780 to research teams at Kansas State University and Iowa State University to study how the African swine fever virus (ASFV) survives and how to test pigs for the virus.

“We remain committed to investing pork checkoff funds in strategic ways, such as this collaboration to find new ways to protect our domestic swine herd from foreign animal disease threats,” said NPB president David Newman, a producer representing Arkansas. “Understanding how African swine fever survives can help us create better techniques for controlling the spread of this costly virus and reduce the odds of a domestic outbreak.”

Kansas State researchers will seek to understand how ASFV survives and continues to infect other animals in various environments, the announcement said. If scientists understand how the disease spreads, they will be better able to control, or even stop, the spread of this virus. Additional work at Kansas State will develop tests to detect ASFV, FFAR said, and a third project is creating diagnostic test to quickly test entire herds for ASF.

Iowa State researchers will focus on how best to identify foreign animal diseases at low prevalence in large commercial pens using oral fluid samples, the announcement said.

“There is no time to waste. We must work quickly, and through partnership with the National Pork Board, to drive solutions pork producers can use to detect and manage infected animals if the virus reaches the U.S. This research may be the key to dramatically reducing any potential spread of African swine fever,” FFAR executive director Sally Rockey said.

FFAR’s grant is being matched by funding from the National Pork Board, Cargill, Kemin, Purina Animal Nutrition and Kansas State University for a total investment of $535,780, the announcement said.


Related news

Mycotoxin deactivation with natural enzymes Mycotoxin deactivation with natural enzymes

Using enzymes is one of the efficient approaches against the toxic effects of mycotoxins, which transforms the mycotoxin into a non-toxic molecule

Tuesday. March 7th, 2017
Benefits of extra liquid methionine for sows Benefits of extra liquid methionine for sows

Liquid methionine added to diets for lactating sows leads to both more fat and lactose concentration in the milk as well as a better gut absorption of nutrients

Wednesday. March 8th, 2017
Piglets can thrive on sunflower meal Piglets can thrive on sunflower meal

With a novel processing method, feed ingredients like rapeseed cake as well as sunflower meal can be used in piglet feed, as it is better digested

Wednesday. March 8th, 2017
Benefits of corn co-products from wet milling for pigs Benefits of corn co-products from wet milling for pigs

Researchers have reported that using corn co-products from wet milling can be beneficial to pig diets.

Friday. March 31st, 2017
Prevention of the disease caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae Prevention of the disease caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

Once clinical disease of pleuropneumonia has been confirmed through laboratory examination, prevention measures must be applied.

Friday. March 31st, 2017