Pork Industry Strategizes to Stop PEDV through a reduction in supply,” Meyer said. “Some pork supply will be made up through producing higher market-weight hogs and through other loss mitigation actions, but today we are already seeing summer pork futures climb to record levels.” In a related move, Genome Alberta is cooperating with the National Pork Board to identify research gaps in understanding PEDV and stem its spread. Genome Alberta has committed approximately $500,000 toward a coordinated US/Canadian effort and is seeking additional funds from Canadian, provincial, and regional agencies. Every two weeks, the Pork Checkoff publishes the PEDV Update newsletter with some of the latest information and resources available. More information is available at www.pork.org/pedv. R Can you spot the difference between these two antioxidants? Oxy-Block® antioxidant Our competitor’s antioxidant HINT: It’s hiding in your invoice. Ameri-Pac provides high quality natural-source and synthetic antioxidants. The only ingredients missing from our products are the layers of overhead and associated costs that are often added to competitive contracts – savings we pass on to you. Our products are supported by AIB-rated facilities and professionals who know the rendering industry. After more than 25 years, we still believe the most important thing we can build is the best product at a price that makes sense. Call today and discover how we can keep your rendered products fresh for less. Experts in shelf-life technology Ameri-Pac.com | St. Joseph, MO | 800.373.6156 ANNOUNCED SUPERIOR RATING The National Pork Board is earmarking additional funds for research in the fight against the further spread of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), which was first identified in the United States (US) in May 2013. The funds – $650,000 through supplemental funding approved by the Pork Checkoff and $500,000 through a new agreement with Genome Alberta – will provide new opportunities for research. “This has become one of the most serious and devastating diseases our pig farmers have faced in decades,” said Karen Richter, a Minnesota producer and president of the National Pork Board. “While it has absolutely no impact on food safety, it has clear implications for the pork industry in terms of supplying pork to consumers. Our number one priority is to address PEDV.” Additionally, the Pork Checkoff is collaborating with a number of industry players, including the National Renderers Association, National Pork Producers Council, American Association of Swine Veterinarians, American Feed Industry Association, National Grain and Feed Association, and North American Spray Dried Blood and Plasma Protein Producers, which is made up of five member companies throughout the United States and Canada. Part of the Checkoff’s supplemental funding of $650,000 will be used for feedrelated research to better understand the potential role feed may play in PEDV transmission. In addition, a portion of the funding will be used to identify ways to increase sow immunity and to better understand transmission and biosecurity risks. This brings the current level of Checkoff-funded research to about $1.7 million since June 2013. Now active in some parts of Canada, PEDV continues to cause a heavy loss of piglets on farms across the United States. According to the US Department of Agriculture, PEDV has surfaced in 26 states. Steve Meyer, president of Paragon Economics and a Pork Checkoff consultant, estimates the loss of more than five million piglets in the past several months, with 1.3 million lost in January alone. “Losses of this magnitude will ultimately have a consumer impact www.rendermagazine.com Render April 2014 47
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