Spread of pig virus cancels 4-H swine shows for 2014
Due to a highly contagious disease being spread through pigs across the country, the Dubois County 4-H Council, Swine Committee and Purdue Extension Dubois County decided to cancel all Dubois County 4-H swine shows this year.
The spread of the PED virus is a concern for all aspects of the pork industry and swine exhibitions including 4-H Shows. After much discussion and reviewing options the group decided unanimously that in order to prevent the 4-H swine program from potentially spreading the disease further that all Dubois County 4-H swine shows are cancelled for 2014. The 4-H Open Show on June 7, 2014 and the Dubois County 4-H Fair will NOT have swine shows this year.
The Dubois County 4-H Council, 4-H Swine Committee and Purdue Extension Dubois County staff met on Saturday, May 9, 2014 to discuss growing concerns with Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv). PEDv is a contagious virus that can be transmitted easily. It does not impact other animals or humans nor does it lessen the quality of pork for consumers.
“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 No. 1 priority is to address PEDV.”
Kendall Martin, Purdue Extension Educator for 4-H Youth Development stated, “This is a highly charged matter. There are many opinions on this concern. Not all are going to agree. But, we genuinely feel this is the best course of action utilizing the information we have at this time.”
“We regret that we had to resort to these measures, said Kris Murray, 4-H Council President, but, we must remember how big of an impact the 4-H Swine program has on our county and the surrounding area. We could not go ahead with 4-H swine shows knowing that area farmers, our fairgrounds farm neighbors and 4-H families would all be at such an increased risk due to swine animals coming to the property.”
“This is the right thing to do. It is extremely important that we help protect those producers, especially those with infant pigs, who have not been exposed to the PED virus,” said Ken Eck, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator. “We want to preserve life for as many animals as possible.”
The entire group agreed that everyone was concerned for the 4-H families who have deep roots in showing animals at the 4-H Fair. It was agreed upon that 4-H swine members be able to complete their 4-H Swine manuals and submit them to the Extension Office prior to July 15 to count as completion for the Swine project in 2014.
If youth would like to create a poster, educational display, write a report or do a project interact on swine they may do so. A timely topic would be PEDv. These are optional suggestions and not required. Youth may contact the Purdue Extension Office for more details.
It was also discussed that the Indiana State Fair and other Open 4-H Shows in nearby countie sare potential opportunities to show 4-H hogs. The families that choose to do this should familiarize themselves with the specific rules of those shows. Those who intend to exhibit swine at the State Fair still need to complete their animal enrollment and tagging prior to May 15, 2014.
“We know that not everyone will be happy with this solution and we apologize for that,” said Murray. “But, we ask that everyone stop and think for a moment that we all want what is best for our youth and the 4-H program.”
Swine 4-H members are encouraged to keep their Swine PQA+ certification status up to date for coming years by completing the online certification at www. pork.org or attend the last county training session at 7 p.m. on May 29th at the Clover Pavilion. Please call 482-1782 for reservations if you plan to attend the live session.
“The education of young people is what 4-H and livestock projects are about,” said Martin. “This unfortunate situation presents a tremendous opportunity to show our young people how caring adults deal with difficult situations. And though hard-learned, it will be a life lesson that will benefit all of us in the long run.”
For more information contact Kendal at martingk@purdue.edu or Eck at kjeck@purdue.edu.
My husband is a hog farmer, yes we were going to take hogs to the fair. We know all about PEDv. We had a plan, what goes to the fair doesn’t go back to the farm! We have to deal with Sterilizing every day, feed trucks that deliver feed, and going from hog buildings to hog buildings. I think the hog farmers that are at risk, should have been in on the decision. Our daughter is always so excited about showing her daddy’s hogs, this just took one year away. This is also, some children’s last year in 4h, and their thing is showing hogs. Some have already started working with the hogs training them, so all their had work is in vain!