Researchers at Pipestone Veterinary Services are testing the survivability of swine viruses in feed under actual shipping conditions.
Dr. Scott Dee with Minnesota-based Pipestone says to truly understand the risk, the study needed to be outside the laboratory.
“This friend of mine had some access to a large warehouse first of all, and a commercial trucking company where we could hire those resources to prepare the totes that we inoculated and use of a truck for a period of time.”
Once approved by USDA, he tells Brownfield they infused the feed with three different viruses (PEDv, PRRS, and Seneca Valley) and sent the truck off on a commercial route that would offer exposure to several climates.
