The course helps producers to understand how to properly assess risks, implement biosecurity and act in case of suspected outbreaks. The training is based on real cases, scientific research and practical experience of experts. If you haven't joined yet, here are 5 key lessons you will learn from the course:
1️. ASF is not only a problem for the pig industry, but also a blow to the economy
The disease leads not only to significant losses of livestock, but also to the closure of export markets, reduced investment attractiveness and huge financial losses for enterprises. In Ukraine, the ASF has effectively closed the access of pig products to the international market.
2️. Lethality and mortality are not the same thing
Many pig farmers believe that ASF instantly destroys 90% of the herd. However, lethality is the percentage of deaths among infected animals, while mortality is the proportion of deaths among the entire herd. Due to the low contagiousness of the virus, it spreads slowly, and the death of pigs can occur gradually, which often makes it difficult to detect the disease in a timely manner.
3. The virus spreads through feed, transport and even people
ASF can be transmitted not only through contact between animals, but also through blood, contaminated feed, equipment, vehicles and even personnel who have come into contact with the virus. That is why biosecurity measures should be comprehensive and include control of all possible ways of introducing the virus.
4. Biosecurity is not just a set of rules, but a guarantee of business survival
If a farm does not adhere to strict biosecurity measures, it is doomed to the risk of an outbreak. The key measures include:
- Strict control of the movement of vehicles and people.
- Identification and isolation of suspicious animals.
- Compliance with hygiene and disinfection rules.
- Monitoring of feed and products entering the enterprise.
5. The only 100% method of confirming ASF is laboratory diagnostics
Since the virus may not manifest itself with bright clinical signs, it is impossible to detect ASF without PCR testing. Experts emphasise: ‘If you see even a slight change in the health of your animals, you should rule out ASF in the laboratory, and only then can you sleep well.’
This is only a part of the knowledge you will gain during the course! Don't miss the opportunity to learn how to protect your farm and get a certificate of completion.
The course is available on the AgriAcademy digital learning platform. Register by following the link: https://courses.agriacademy.org/courses/course-v1:FAO+ASF+2024Q4/about
Pig Producers of Ukraine Association is a non-profit, voluntary organisation founded by domestic pork producers. The main goals of the association are to represent and protect the rights and interests of the association's farms, promote the development and implementation of new technologies for efficient pork production, expand sales markets, and protect the domestic market.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) aims to reduce poverty and hunger in the world by developing agriculture, improving nutrition and addressing food security (access to food for all at all times). It was founded in Quebec on 16 October 1945. Its motto is ‘Helping to build a world without hunger’.
AgriAcademy is a digital educational space for the exchange of knowledge and skills in agribusiness. The platform aims to improve the Ukrainian agribusiness community's access to professional skills, successful business cases and innovative solutions that meet modern market challenges.