“We identified feed as a risk in 2014,” said Scott Dee. “Our group in Pipestone as well as researchers such as Dr. Megan Niederwerder at Kansas State University have expanded that and lots of new information was discussed. We looked at the effect of certain feed additives and their ability to reduce the viral survival in feed. We also looked at certain activities that our research has stimulated at the governance level, such as policy being passed, letters being directed to the Secretary of Agriculture, and looking at restricting the importation of high-risk products from ASF virus positive countries. So we've actually made progress beyond the farm up at Capitol Hill.
Over time, Pipestone Veterinary Services has learned that there are several feed additives that are effective against viruses. These additives reduce the virus survival in feed, making the feed a much safer option. There’s a good variety of them on the market, so producers have options that they can use depending on their budget, their level of risk, and their capabilities at the mill. They have also found that mitigating the feed produces better results than choosing not to mitigate the feed, leading to better pig performance. This is great news for producers, who now have a new method of biosecurity to ensure safer feed.
Is the US testing feed?
“We cannot test feed on a regular basis, but we do it as often as we can,” said Scott Dee. “The risk is high in my opinion, because we are consistently bringing in soy-based products from China, Ukraine, and Russia - all African swine fever virus positive countries - every year, which amazes me because we make the greatest soy-based products in the world. We should quit bringing these products in from these positive countries because the virus lives extremely well in soy-based products.”
Many producers in the United States choose to bring in soy products from other countries because of the cheaper price tag. Last year, the country imported 100,000 metric tons of soy products from those three ASF positive countries. At the same time, the U.S. exported 49 million metric tons. Another desirable factor of imported soy-based products is that these products from the three countries tend to have an organic label, which is appealing to some producers. The United States does not have a large organic soy market, so to improve domestic sales, it might be something for the country to look into. Data also suggests that pet food coming in from China may be a risk factor for African Swine Fever entering the United States.
“We've shown that the African swine fever virus lives very well in dry pet food, moist pet food,” said Scott Dee. “That virus lives basically in everything. But pet foods are at risk, that's for sure. If they're not manufactured safely or securely and potentially contaminated and sent over, that's another thing we have to be aware of as well.”
There are multiple factors contributing to the arrival of the disease to the United States based on feed. The biggest risk currently is the importation of soy-based products from these ASF positive countries. To reduce the risk, the United States would need to take the first step of using their own soy products or importing soy products from ASF negative countries.
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January 23, 2021 at 07:41AM
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How Feed Has Become a Risk for the Arrival of African Swine Fever into the United States - The Pig Site
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