24 July 2024

5 minute read

By: Lee Williamson

North America

Dr. Brett O'Brien, Technical Services Veterinarian with Merck Animal Health, spoke to The Pig Site’s Sarah Mikesell at the 2024 World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, USA.

Brett, tell us about the industry trends that you are seeing.

I am pleased that we are in a space now in the US from a pork industry standpoint where our producers are once again profitable. It has been a hard two years. Currently there is lot of emphasis from producers on how to improve control and disease programs to enhance the production of pigs as well as their overall health.

A focus on health aligns with our strategy where we believe in bringing science-based solutions to see how we can improve the health and well-being of the pigs produced. So, Merck wants to be there regardless of which disease we are tackling – PRRS, the flu, or any of the enteric diseases.

These are tough diseases that producers are facing with their herds. What is Merck doing to help support producers?

For us, we want to be the hand-hold, go-to trusted advisor, because we know some of these situations, whether it be the flu, ileitis or other diseases - depending on which disease it is, we have a ton of solutions and production experience to know what is going to fit for your specific operation. We also understand where you might not be maximizizing your control programs. I know there are two arms - there is the control and a treatment. I always lean to the idea that it’s better to prevent than control because then you incur less cost in the end.

We are excited because in this last year, one of our key goals was to innovate. I think in the animal health space, we have been excited to be able to push the envelope in the types of innovations we can bring, so we can satisfy gaps that the industry needs from a disease standpoint.

For example, last year at World Pork Expo, we launched Circumvent CML which was a three-in-one vaccine. Folks were always clamoring to do more with less, and to be able to have that added convenience and put that in use is good for the industry. I can give you an update because it is one thing when you launch, but the update in the field is a level of protection that they would have seen with our grandfather products still holds. It has improved the actual vaccination experience because you have less volume and less shots. It is easier for the pig and the caretaker.

This fall, the other vaccine that I got really excited about is in our Sequivity technology. It is a new commercial product called Sequivity Flu-NA. It is a neuraminidase-based vaccine, but it is innovative technology affords an opportunity to successfully vaccinate young pigs where we have not had that chance before because of maternal antibody interference.

We now have a complete program and something unique that we can get protection in pigs early. With flu, the biggest cost is in the early nursery period so having a tool that we can break through that MDA piece is exciting for us. These are just some examples, and we will not stop there.

What’s on the horizon for Merck?

We really put heavy investments in driving research to identify and fix the needed gaps that producers and veterinarians face. Whether those needs are on the disease side or technology-based side to help because labor shortages are a big concern. We are continuously looking and building our pipeline to bring new and out-of-the -box products to the market. I see more on the horizon, and I am excited.

It is about listening to producers and watching to identify those gaps in the industry?

Absolutely. We want to be the trusted partner working together to get the insights of what they need in their day-to-day operation. We take that information back to our research and development department and figure out solutions that will address those needs.

Heading into the summer months, what should producers keep top of mind?

As a veterinarian, I think of health challenges first that we are up against. My number one is staying vigilant from a biosecurity standpoint so we are not bringing in new diseases. Two diseases that we historically think of as seasonal, like PRRS and flu, are no longer just seasonal pathogens. As I mentioned before, we have expertise in the flu arena. I would really encourage producers to reach out and see how we can drive eliminations and make a big dent in our flu landscape across the industry.

The other thing with summer comes the hot months. Heat stress that can happen with pigs can really make them more susceptible to disease. Make sure that you are taking the pains on the ventilation side, stocking density, and things like that to make sure that you are setting that pig up for success, so they will not become susceptible to things that they might face in the cold months is key.

Likewise, for your control programs, which are centered around vaccination typically, let’s make sure those pigs are comfortable and cool down appropriately at those times, so they can mount the appropriate immune response and get the most out of those programs.

For more information, go to Merck’s website: drivenbyprevention.com or reach out to your Merck sales or technical service partner.