An Economic Study of Small Pigholders in Vietnam: Some Insights Gained and the Scope for Further Research
Some relevant background to this research project is provided by outlining selected features of Vietnam’s pig industry. Then the main findings (in the view of the author) from this ACIAR-funded research are presented. These results include (1) natural protection given to Vietnam’s pig producers from imports as a result of the nature of the preferences of Vietnamese consumers: (2) the importance of household labour, especially that provided by females, in the husbandry of pigs held by households; (3) the existence, or otherwise, of scale economies as a function of the number of pigs held by households, (4) the import dependence for pig food of Vietnam’s pig industry and the way in which it varies with the number of pigs kept by households; (5) specialization in pig production, (6) regional differences in the economics of pig production; (7) economic discrimination in the supply of inputs to household producers of pigs and in their sale of pigs; (8) the size of pig-holdings and the use of professional services, such as veterinary services and extension services; and (9) findings about miscellaneous matters, such as the genetic composition of the pig stock. Scope for future research in relation to these aspects is also highlighted, and the need is raised for considering the economics of increasing quality standards and certifying the quality of pork. The economics of increasing the scale of pig producing units is given particular attention.
Serological and virological surveillance for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, porcine circovirus type 2, and influenza A viruses among smallholder swine farms of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Materials and methods: Paired serum and oral-fluids samples from 68 farms (sows, boars, weaners, and growers) were tested during 2011 by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for PRRSV, PCV2, and IAV. Results: Low numbers of PRRSV-positive and IAV-positive pigs were detected (1.6% PRRSV viremic, two of 124; 0.8% IAV in oral fluids, one of 124). However, PCV2 detection rates were high in both serum and oral fluids (54.8% and 61.3%, respectively). Overall proportions of pigs seropositive for IAV and PRRSV were 37.9% and 33.9%, respectively. Proportions of pigs seropositive for PRRSV were 48.6% (17 of 35) and 12.1% (four of 33) on vaccinated and unvaccinated farms, respectively. Oral fluids and serum samples yielded comparable prevalence estimates for molecular detection of PCV2, and detected one sample PCR-positive for hemagglutinin of influenza A/H1N1/pdm09. There was no evidence of PRRSV shedding in oral fluids.
RIP - General Purpose Interactive Display at HHIRF
RIP is a general purpose interactive code for display and analysis of data acquired with the Holifield Heavy Ion Research Facility (HHIRF) accelerators at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The HHIRF data acquisition system includes a version of RIP for on-line display of one-and two-dimensional histograms on color graphic terminals and hard copy on color printer/plotters. General features of the program and interactive techniques will be described.