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Research

Donaldson International is not only involved with the export of live animals, but is also very active and interested in swine research. With the research that we conduct, we hope to help Canadian breeders and many breeding farms throughout the world. The latest research that we have been doing is with Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (P.R.R.S.). Some of our Canadian herds have adopted a P.R.R.S. vaccination program. The sows in these herds, due to the vaccine will show positive to P.R.R.S. when tested, which will disqualify them from being exported to many countries. By taking piglets from these vaccinated farms and using Segregated Early Weaning (S.E.W.) technology, we are now able to offer these top quality genetics. Donaldson International is closely collaborating with Drs. Cate Dewey andAndrijana Rajic, researchers from the University of Guelph. Our objectivehas been to determine if P.R.R.S. sero-negative pigs can be produced fromP.R.R.S sero-positive herds through S.E.W. Half of the six herds participating in the study vaccinate for P.R.R.S. The stability of the breeding herds was assessed using serologic profiling (ELISA-IDEXX). Piglets were weaned at 10 days of age and isolated in our new S.E.W. quarantine facility. Piglets from the vaccinated herds were housed separately from the piglets from the non-vaccinated herds. This included separate ventilation, manure handling and personnel. Serial ELISA testing was conducted at weaning, 21 days, 30 days, 60 and 90 days. Littermates remaining on-site (at farm of origin) were also tested at weaning and 2 months of age. All pigs in our facility from the vaccinated herds were sero-negative from 60 to 90 days of age. The number of sero-positive pigs in our facility from the non-vaccinated herds increased over time. The preliminary results suggest that S.E.W., with a vaccination program in closed herds can produce P.R.R.S negative pigs. We have completed two tests and are now mid-way through the third trial to verify and substantiate the prior two tests. This technology has permitted us to supply additional blood lines from many new herds. Not only has S.E.W. successfully eliminated P.R.R.S, but other pathogens as well.