An electric fence along a road in Germany near its border with Poland — one of many measures taken to contain African swine fever.

Human failings and deadly viruses are a bad mix

Despite their ‘superpowers,’ COVID and African swine fever rely on humans to spread, says vet

Glacier FarmMedia – With the spread of both COVID-19 and African swine fever, humans can be their own worst enemies. That message was delivered by Ontario veterinarian during the recent virtual farm show. Dr. George Charbonneau outlined the “superpowers” of the two viruses and offered his take on where humans have been successful and not

With the Phase 1 deal in effect and trade relations patched up for the time being, it will certainly raise red flags if China does not start ramping up U.S. soybean purchases in a few months.

Further swine fever outbreaks threaten slow growth in China’s soy demand

Market watchers now worry the disease’s latest impact could be worse than it appears

China is taking in record amounts of soybeans from the U.S. and Brazil as its hog population recovers from a deadly disease that began nearly three years ago, but import expansion into the next marketing year might be minimal. Additionally, China continues to report new outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF). Many market watchers are


Pigs are seen at a backyard farm on the outskirts of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, 
China, Sept. 5, 2018.

China to crack down harder on fake African swine fever vaccines

Industry insiders believe use of illicit vaccines has caused a new, chronic form of the disease

Reuters – China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs says it will crack down further on illegal production and sales of African swine fever vaccines in a sign of the extent of a problem that is damaging the world’s largest pig industry. The ministry, which has been warning against such behaviour since 2019, said tougher measures were needed

German pig prices up again

German pig prices up again

German pig prices have risen again as sales inside the EU help markets recover from Asian import bans on German pork, traders and industry sources said on Wednesday. German pig prices on March 3 rose to 1.40 euros a kg slaughter weight from 1.30 euros the previous week, said the association of German animal farmers


South Africa African swine fever outbreak expands

South Africa’s Western Cape region has reported its first cases of African swine fever at two small farms, after outbreaks in other parts of the country, the provincial head of agriculture said. Recent outbreaks have also been reported in the Free State, Eastern Cape and Gauteng provinces, agricultural authorities said. “A survey to determine the

China’s soymeal futures plunge on pig disease concerns

China’s soymeal futures slid nearly five per cent in their sharpest decline in eight years on Feb. 26, as investors took profit and new African swine fever outbreaks stirred concerns over demand. The most actively traded soymeal futures on the Dalian Commodity Exchange for May delivery fell 4.86 per cent to 3,485 yuan (US$539.57) per


Two pandemics and Brexit leave U.K. pig sector in peril

Two pandemics and Brexit leave U.K. pig sector in peril

Reuters – For British pig farmers like Simon Watchorn, the start of 2021 has brought fresh problems after a pandemic-ridden 2020. British pork producers have seen their profits eroded by COVID-19 and an outbreak of deadly African swine fever (ASF) in Germany, and are now having also to deal with Brexit red tape that has

Piglet at a pig farm in Guizhou Province, China in May 2020.

Contaminated feed a risk that can’t be ignored, says expert

It’s clear that viruses, including African swine fever, can be transmitted via feed ingredients

New research is showing that animal feed can carry viruses, including the one that causes African swine fever. It’s a threat that must be thwarted, Scott Dee, veterinarian and director of applied research for Minnesota-based Pipestone Veterinary Services, told attendees at the virtual 2021 Banff Pork Seminar in January. “We’ve got to work together,” said


A report recommends the province’s department of agriculture prepare a response plan for livestock diseases "identified as significant to Manitoba.”

Province underprepared for animal disease, says auditor general

Commodity groups support the audit’s recommendations

Producer groups say they support the auditor general’s recommendations that the province do more to prepare for an animal disease outbreak, but say government staff are working hard to help. “They’ve been highly engaged and they’ve given everything that they can,” said Jenelle Hamblin of the province’s chief veterinary officer and Manitoba Agriculture staff. “I

Germany finds 30 more African swine fever cases in wild boars

Another 30 cases of African swine fever (ASF) have been found in wild boars in eastern Germany, authorities said on Jan. 20, in a continuing outbreak among wild animals which has halted German pork exports to Asia. The new cases were in the eastern state of Brandenburg and bring the number of confirmed instances of