Smithfield Premium Genetics

Philip Mzyk

My Background

• Year: Senior• Major: Zoology• Fun Fact: Martial Artist

• Career Goals– Obtain my DVM and PhD– Pursue research in either ophthalmology or

reproductive endocrinology• Schools applied to

– NCSU - OSU - CSU - MSU

What is Murphy-Brown?• Headquartered in Warsaw, North Carolina.

There are over 6,000 Murphy-Brown employees located in twelve states.

• Produce approximately 17 million market hogs each year.

• Own and manage approximately 450 hog farms in the U.S.

• Partner with over 1,500 independent farmers and contract growers in the U.S. to raise hogs.

• Murphy-Brown leads the pork industry by ensuring animal well-being, responsible antibiotics use and animal traceability.

What is Smithfield Premium Genetics?

• Smithfield Premium Genetics strives for 4 main goals:– Large litters– Fast growth rate– Efficient feed conversion– Nutritious healthy pork products

• This is accomplished by monitoring:– Semen quality– Breeding stock– Trait heritability

My Projects

• Utilize the on-site QA lab to run PCR/ELISA/Semen quality testing

• Track the epidemiology of the PRRS virus

• Study dysentery results and determine the cause for erratic positives and retest

• On-site farm assessments with company veterinarians

QA Lab Testing

Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome

• PRRS– Invades alveolar macrophages and uses them to reproduce– Spreads to reproductive system and causes widespread death

within a herd, “breaks” a farm

• Tracking the epidemiology of the PRRS virus– Tracked along the entire East coast holdings of

Murphy-Brown– Utilized Google Earth to map the virus

• Results were inconclusive

Dysentery Results

• Iowa State University– Offsite testing facility– Gathered reports and flagged opposing

PCR/Culture results

• ISU sent samples back to me– Performed my own in house PCR and cultures• Sent off to be gene sequenced to determine what we

really had on our hands

Farm Assessments

• Biosecurity was a LARGE concern– Shower In/Out– Use it on the farm = Leave it on the farm

• Conducted blood draws on all farm types– Sow– Nursery– Finishing

• Saw the unique interaction between company veterinarians and farm managers

Material Recognition

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“Murphy-Brown authorizes you to view and download a single copy of the Site Material for your non-commercial personal use.”