Proposal - University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine

Project title: Using Windbreaks to Prevent Livestock Disease and Provide Multiple
Ecosystem Health Benefits
Project leader: Stephen Streng
Center for Rural Design, CFANS/CDES, 277 Coffey Hall
1420 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108
612.624.9273 stre0185@umn.edu
Co-investigators:
Peter Davies, Ph.D., Dept. of Veterinary Population Medicine, Univ. of Minnesota
Scott Dee, D.V.M., Ph.D., Dept. of Veterinary Population Medicine, Univ. of Minnesota
Montserrat Torremorell, D.V.M., Ph.D., Dept. of Veterinary Population Medicine, Univ. of Minnesota
Team consultants:
Steve Roos, RLA, ASLA, Center for Rural Design, University of Minnesota
Gordon Spronk, D.V.M., Pipestone Veterinary Clinic, Pipestone, MN
Dewey Thorbeck, FAIA, Center for Rural Design, University of Minnesota
Goals and objectives of the partnership: a) establish a working group that addresses disease
prevention by improving the multiple ecosystems at the interface of livestock and humans, b)
create a lasting partnership between health and environmental experts to develop novel disease
prevention methods, c) evaluate planted windbreaks as a tool to improve biosecurity by
preventing PRRSV transmission in swine herds.
Justification of the partnership: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is
a highly infectious swine pathogen occurring throughout the world’s swine-producing regions
(Wensvoort et al., 1991; Zimmerman, 2003). A 2005 study estimated United States producers’
annual losses due to PRRSV to be over $560 million (Neumann, et al., 2005). Elimination of
PRRSV from endemically infected populations is possible (Dee and Molitor, 1998; Torremorell
et al., 2000). However, a major obstacle to maintaining a herd free of PRRSV is preventing reinfection
via airborne spread of the virus from neighboring farms, even if several kilometers
away (Torremorell et al., 1997; Mortensen et al., 2002; Dee et al., 2009). Various filters or
evaporative cooling used with disinfectant can be effective for preventing transmission (Dee et
al., 2005; Dee et al., 2006; Pitkin et al., 2008; Dee et al., in press); however, they are expensive
to purchase, require significant energy to operate, and have significant embedded energy and
pollution costs associated with their manufacture and distribution. Also, they provide only the
services they were designed to: disease containment and facility cooling. In an economicallychallenging
environment and with mounting environmental concerns, swine producers have a
critical need for a method to prevent the risk of airborne spread of PRRSV that is inexpensive to
install and maintain, is energy-efficient, has low embedded energy costs, and can provide
multiple other benefits. In addition, the recent emergence of a novel H1N1 influenza virus
attributed to swine emphasizes the need for swine producers, researchers, veterinarians, and
public health experts to develop novel disease prevention strategies that balance farmers’ needs
while improving rural ecosystem health.
Our long-term goal is to use our combined expertise in veterinary medicine and landscape
architecture to develop vegetative windbreaks planted at livestock facilities as an inexpensive
method for preventing disease spread that also mitigates dust and odor, uses little energy,
provides ecosystem benefits (e.g., wildlife habitat and carbon storage), and aesthetic benefits.
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The research objective for this proposal is to demonstrate the potential of vegetative windbreaks
at swine facilities to prevent the airborne spread of PRRSV. Windbreaks of planted trees and
shrubs have a long history of agriculture use to decrease wind velocity in order to ameliorate
temperature and blowing soil and snow. Windbreaks have recently been studied for swine
facility odor mitigation (Lin et al., 2006; Lin et al., 2007; Tyndall and Colletti, 2007) and for
poultry facility odor and dust mitigation (Malone et al., 2006; Adrizal et al., 2008). Although
research has demonstrated that windbreaks can prevent disease transmission between plants
(Leite and Mohan, 1990; Gottwald and Timmer, 1995), ours will be the first to study
windbreaks’ effects on livestock disease transmission. Preliminary results from this study will be
utilized to evaluate whether windbreaks can also be used to prevent transmission of flu viruses
between farms.
Methodology, timeline, and deliverables
We will: build upon existing relationships between veterinary and landscape architecture experts
and refine the proposed experiments’ design.
Method: hold planning meetings every two weeks.
Timeline: June-September
Deliverables: experiment design, strong working relationships.
We will: test hypothesis regarding windbreaks ability to prevent airborne transmission of PRRSV
by adapting Dr. Dee’s proven methods for testing filter efficacy on PRRSV (Dee et. al., in press).
Method: we will construct a half-scale model of a small tunnel-ventilated swine barn. A cold fog
mister placed in the barn model will be used to generate artificial PRRSV-positive aerosols
containing a modified live PRRS virus vaccine. The aerosol will be evacuated from the barn by
its fans towards windbreaks composed of conifers of various sizes planted in pots. Air samples
will be collected at 5 min intervals using a pair of liquid cyclonic collectors, and all samples will
be tested for the presence of PRRSV RNA using a one-step TaqMan polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) assay. A swine bioassay protocol (Swenson et al., 1994) will be used to assess the
presence of viable PRRSV in samples confirmed to be PCR-positive. Swabs of leaf surfaces will
be similarly tested and assessed. A series of positive and negative controls similar to Dee et. al.,
in press, will be used to validate the experimental procedure. All experiments will be conducted
under controlled conditions in a warehouse and using equipment available through Dr. Dee.
Timeline: September-May
Deliverables: the results of our study will be used to design future studies in the field. Also, the
results will be used to direct pilot studies to test the ability of windbreaks to reduce the risk of
aerosol transmission of other swine pathogens such as Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, swine
influenza virus, and swine-originating zoonotic pathogens such as novel influenza A (H1N1). In
addition, data from this proposed research will be leveraged for further funding.
Potential funding sources include: USDA CSREES AFRI (Air Quality, Animal Health and Well-
Being, Integrated Solutions for Animal Agriculture, Enhancing Ecosystem Services, Managed
Ecosystems); USDA North Central Region SARE; NSF (Dynamics of Coupled Natural and
Human Systems); NIH (International Collaborations in Infectious Disease Research), the
Lindbergh Foundation (agriculture, health, air and water conservation); and the National Pork
Board. We also plan to expand the partnership to include industry collaborators and researchers
from other disciplines (e.g., applied economics, dairy, poultry, and forestry) for further studies
on windbreak benefits. The project’s success will be measured by it’s ability to involve new
partners and gain the identified funding for further studies, staff, and student support.
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Budget
Barn model
materials quantity total
lumber $280.00
fasteners $50.00
fans commercial agricultural 2 $1,000.00
Wind simulator industrial fan rental $65.00
Windbreak model
Testing
labor 2 students, total hours 32 $450.00
plants 3'-6' potted conifers 21 $2,300.00
delivery $200.00
fertilizer $25.00
riser rental $80.00
experiment supplies PCR testing 120 $3,000.00
disinfectants $50.00
labware $100.00
consulting
misc. disposable
equipment (gloves, swabs, etc)
cleaning supplies
$100.00
$100.00
MERV 16 filter $300.00
statistical analysis
graduate student
or consultant $500.00
Research Fellow salary $1,400.00
$10,000.00
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References
Adrizal, A. et al., 2008. Vegetative buffers for fan emissions from poultry farms: 2. ammonia,
dust and foliar nitrogen. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B:
Pesticides, Food Contaminants, and Agricultural Wastes, 43(1), 96-103.
Dee, S.A. & Molitor, T.W., 1998. Elimination of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome
virus using a test and removal process. Vet Rec., 143(17), 474-476.
Dee, S. et al., 2005. Evaluation of an air-filtration system for preventing aerosol transmission of
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. Canadian Journal of Veterinary
Research = Revue Canadienne De Recherche Vétérinaire, 69(4), 293-298.
Dee, S. et al., 2009. Evidence of long distance airborne transport of porcine reproductive and
respiratory syndrome virus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae
. Veterinary Research, 40(4), 39.
Dee, S., Pitkin, A. & Deen, J., in press. Evaluation of alternative strategies to MERV 16-based
air filtration systems for reduction of the risk of airborne spread of porcine reproductive
and respiratory syndrome virus. Veterinary Microbiology.
Dee, S.A. et al., 2006. Further evaluation of alternative air-filtration systems for reducing the
transmission of Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus by aerosol.
Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 70(3), 168–175.
Eric J. Neumann et al., 2005. Assessment of the economic impact of porcine reproductive and
respiratory syndrome on swine production in the United States. Journal of the American
Veterinary Medical Association, 227(3), 385-392.
Gottwald, T.R. & Timmer, L.W., 1995. The efficacy of windbreaks in reducing the spread of
citrus canker caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri. Tropical Agriculture, 72(3),
194-201.
Lin, X. et al., 2007. Livestock Odour Dispersion as Affected by Natural Windbreaks. Water, Air,
& Soil Pollution, 182(1), 263-273.
Lin, X. et al., 2006. Influence of windbreaks on livestock odour dispersion plume in the field.
Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 116(3-4), 263-272.
Malone, G. et al., 2006. Efficacy of Vegetative Environmental Buffers to Capture Emissions
from Tunnel Ventilated Poultry Houses. In Workshop on Agricultural Air Quality.
Washington, DC.
Mortensen, S. et al., 2002. Risk factors for infection of sow herds with porcine reproductive and
respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 53(1-2), 83-101.
Swenson, S.L. et al., 1994. Excretion of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in
semen after experimentally induced infection in boars. Journal of the American
Veterinary Medical Association, 204(12), 1934-1948.
Torremorell, M., Henry, S. & Moore, C., 2000. Producing PRRSv negative herds and systems
from PRRSv positive animals: the Principles, the Process and the Achievement. In
Proceedings of the American Association of Swine Practitioners. Indianapolis, IN, pp.
341-347.
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Torremorell, M. et al., 1997. Airborne transmission of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and
porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in nursery pigs. American Journal of
Veterinary Research, 58(8), 828-832.
Tyndall, J. & Colletti, J., 2007. Mitigating swine odor with strategically designed shelterbelt
systems: a review. Agroforestry Systems, 69(1), 45-65.
Wensvoort, G. et al., 1991. Mystery swine disease in the Netherlands: the isolation of Lelystad
virus. Veterinary Quarterly, 13(3), 121-130.
Zimmerman, J., 2003. Epidemiology and Ecology. In J. Zimmerman & Y. Kyoung-Jim, eds.
2003 PRRS Compendium. Des Moines, IA: National Pork Board, pp. 27-41.
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Biosketches
Peter Davies
Education
B.V.Sc. (Honors ) Melbourne University
Ph.D. University of Sydney, New South Wales
Professional Experience
Current: Professor, Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota,
College of Veterinary Medicine
Prior: Allen D. Leman Chair in Swine Health and Productivity, University of Minnesota
Research Interests
* Swine health and production
* Foodborne pathogens and zoonotic disease in food animal production systems
* Veterinary epidemiology
* Antimicrobial use in food animal production and antimicrobial resistance
* Disease surveillance and regional disease control
* Societal issues related to food animal production
Representative Publications
Davies PR, Hurd, HS, Funk JA, Fedorka-Cray PJ, Jones FT. (2004). The role of contaminated
feed in the epidemiology and control of Salmonella enterica in pork production. Foodborne
Pathogens and Disease 1:202-215.
Gebreyes W,A Davies PR, Turkson PK, Morrow WE, Funk JA, Altier C. (2004). Salmonella
enterica serovars from pigs on farms and after slaughter and validity of using bacteriologic data
to define herd Salmonella status. J Food Prot. 67:691-697.
Gebreyes WA, Thakur S, Davies PR, Funk JA, Altier C. (2004).Trends in antimicrobial
resistance, phage types and integrons among Salmonella serotypes from pigs, 1997-2000.
Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 53:997-1003.
Gebreyes WA, Davies PR, Turkson PK, Morrow WE, Funk JA, Altier C, Thakur S. (2004).
Characterization of antimicrobial-resistant phenotypes and genotypes among Salmonella enterica
recovered from pigs on farms, from transport trucks, and from pigs after slaughter. J Food Prot.
67:698-705.
Clark RG, Fenwick SG, Nicol CM, Marchant RM, Swanney S, Gill JM, Holmes JD, Leyland M,
Davies PR (2004). Salmonella Brandenburg - emergence of a new strain affecting stock and
humans in the South Island of New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 52:26-36).
Boxall NS, Perkins NR, Marks D, Jones B, Fenwick SG, Davies PR. (2003). Free available
chlorine in commercial broiler chicken drinking water in New Zealand. Journal of Food
Protection 66:2164-2167.
Wilson PR, Davies, PR. (2003) Deer diseases and human health: An internationally significant
issue. Ecoscience, Quebec, 10:27-33
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Scott Dee
Education
University of Minnesota M.S. 1985 Veterinary Microbiology
University of Minnesota D.V.M. 1987 Veterinary Medicine
University of Minnesota Ph.D. 1996 Veterinary Medicine
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Microbiologists 1993 Bacteriology & Mycology
Professional Experience
1987-1998: Swine practitioner, Swine Health Center, Morris, MN
1999-2005: Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Population Medicine,
University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine
May 2005-present: Professor, Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of
Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine
1987-present: Swine consultant, 33 US states and 23 countries
Past president: American Association of Swine Veterinarians
Sample Peer-Reviewed Publications (116 Total)
Dee SA, Otake S, Oliviera S and Deen J. Evidence of long distance airborne spread of porcine
reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Mycoplasma hyopnuemoniae. Vet Res
2009;40(4)39.
Dee SA, Pitkin AN and Deen J. Evaluation of alternative strategies to MERV 16-based air
filtration systems for reduction of the risk of airborne spread of porcine reproductive and
respiratory syndrome virus. Vet Microbiol doi:10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.03019.
Pitkin AN, Deen J and Dee SA. Use of a production region model to assess the airborne spread
of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. Vet Microbiol
doi:10103/j.vetmic.2008.10.1013.
Cano JP, Dee SA, Murtaugh MP and Pijoan C. Impact of a modified-live porcine reproductive
and respiratory syndrome virus vaccine intervention on a population of pigs infected with a
heterologous isolate. Vaccine 2007;25:4382-4391.
Cho JG, Dee SA, Deen J, Murtaugh MP, and Joo HS. An evaluation of isolate pathogenicity on
the transmission of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus by aerosols. Can J Vet
Res 2007;71:23-27.
Cho JG, Dee SA, Deen J, Trincado C, Fano E, Murtugh MP, Collins JE and Joo HS. An
evaluation of different variables on the shedding of porcine reproductive and respiratory
syndrome virus in aerosols. Can J Vet Res 2006;70:297-301.
Dee SA, Deen J, Cano JP, Batista L, and Pijoan C. Further evaluation of alternative air filtration
systems for reducing the transmission of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus by
aerosols. Can J Vet Res 2006;70:168-175.
Awards
1996 American Association Swine Practitioner of the Year
1996 Allen D. Leman Science in Practice Award
1996 University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine Distinguished Alumni Award
1998 AVMA Practitioner Research Award
1999-2000 University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Incentive Awards
2005: University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine Mark of Excellence Award
2007: University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine Pfizer Award for Research Excellence
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Stephen Streng, Associate ASLA
Education
University of Minnesota, Master of Landscape Architecture
Emphasis: restoring ecological function to degraded landscapes, bioremediation; humans as
ecosystem members; public engagement and participation methods.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Bachelor of Fine Arts
Research Interests
Planning and design of multifunctional sustainable landscapes; restoration of ecological function
to developed and degraded landscapes; landscape analysis and characterization from ecological,
economic, cultural, and aesthetic perspectives; methods for communicating design, planning, and
ecological concepts to lay audiences (e.g., using geographic information systems, 3-D digital
visualization, hand drawn sketches, writing); public participation methods in planning and
design.
Professional Experience
Research Fellow: Center for Rural Design, University of Minnesota, 10/07—present. Perform
design and planning duties on projects as required. Edit and assist in developing book manuscript
on rural design. Work with Director to create new Consortium of Rural Design of researchers
and public-interest practitioners from the United States and Canada.
Assistant Director: InformeDesign, University of Minnesota, 6/07—6/08. Wrote summaries in
accessible language of design- and environmental science-related academic research articles for
web site. Edited summaries written by student writers, and coached students in critical thinking
and effective writing.
Writer: Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Minnesota, 8/2001—5/2001;
3/2003—5/2003. Interviewed and wrote magazine-style profiles of all faculty and academic staff
of the Department of Landscape Architecture for its website.
Writer: College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of Minnesota, 8/1999—
5/2000. Wrote student and alumni profiles and news items for WORKS: The Journal of the
College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture.
Awards
2009 Buckman Fellowship for Leadership in Philanthropy, University of Minnesota
2000 Federated Garden Clubs of Minnesota Scholarship
1999 Edmund Phelps Fellowship for Outstanding Entering Graduate Student
Invited Lectures and Presentations
2007 University of Minnesota. Invited speaker, LA 8741: Metropolitan Design Workshop
2007 Target Corporation, Minneapolis, MN. Presentation of capstone project.
2001–2003 University of Minnesota. Invited lecturer, 1st year Landscape Architecture Design.
Studio, “Working in Groups.” Lecture based on independent research in group
dynamics and group facilitation.
2001 Metropolitan Council, Saint Paul, MN. Presentation of studio project, “Saint Croix
Reserve: Plan for Future Land Use in the Saint Croix Drainage.”
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Montserrat Torremorell
Education
D.V.M. Autonomous University of Barcelona in Spain
Ph.D. University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine
Professional Experience
Current: Allen D. Leman Chair in Swine Health and Productivity, University of Minnesota
Prior: Head of Global Health Strategy, Genus/PIC
Health Director, Sygen International
Vice President of Health Assurance, PIC USA.
Dr. Torremorell is the author of more than 32 peer-reviewed journal articles on swine health and
more than 100 abstracts and articles in conference proceedings, and has presented invited
lectures, keynote addresses, and presentations with proceedings at scientific meetings in North
America, South America, and Europe.
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Steve Roos, RLA, ASLA
Education
Master of Landscape Architecture – University of Minnesota, 1999
Bachelor of Environmental Design – University of Minnesota, 1997
Research & Professional Experience
Research:
Scott County: Defining the Rural Character and Design Guidelines for the Detailed Planning
Area (DAP)
Belle Plaine Design Manual: The Belle Plaine Community's Vision for Commercial
Development
Identifying a Framework for Safeguarding Water Quality and Development Related to St.
Lawrence Edge Conditions
Isanti County Parks and Recreation Plan and the Active Living by Design Isanti County Parks
and Bike Path Master Plan
Livonia Township: Community Vision for Land Use
Environmental Quality Assurance / Assisting Dairy Farmers in Achieving Better
Environmental Stewardship
Central Minnesota Community Dairy Partnership
Visualizing OFFSET: Identifying and Analyzing the Spatial Relationships Between Feedlot
Odor & Residential Dwellings
Minnesota Generic Environmental Impact Statement on Animal Agriculture—subsection on
potential for conflict
Community of the City of Morris: Creating a Vision and Reuse Plan for the Elementary
School Site
Professional:
2001—Present, Senior Research Fellow, Center for Rural Design, University of Minnesota
2001—Present, Lecturer, Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Minnesota
1999—2001, Research Fellow, Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Minnesota
Awards
Honor Award in Public Education, MN Chapter, American Planning Association
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Gordon Spronk, D.V.M. Dr. Spronk graduated from Veterinary College at the University of
Minnesota and practices at the Pipestone Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Spronk was the co-founder of the
“Pipestone System” of pig production, and in 2000 he was named Swine “Practitioner of the
Year” by the American Association of Swine Practitioners. In 1996-97 he served as President of
the Society for Theriogenology, a national veterinary organization for the advancement of animal
reproduction and animal reproductive disease. He has lectured, visited or consulted
internationally in ten countries on five continents.
Duane (Dewey) Thorbeck, FAIA, FAAR. After obtaining his B. Arch. From the University of
Minnesota and M. Arch. From Yale University, Dewey won a Rome Prize Fellowship to the
American Academy in Rome. He is a registered architect and his award-winning architectural
firm, Thorbeck Architects Ltd., is involved in both regional and national projects and has been
published internationally. He was elected a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and is
a past president of the AIA Minnesota. With a special focus on architecture for agriculture he is
writing a book on working buildings in the rural landscape with a grant from the Graham
Foundation. After teaching design in the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture for
a number of years, Dewey founded the Center for Rural Design and serves as its director. Dewey
also serves on the UMore Park Management Team that is working to construct a new sustainable
21st Century community in Rosemount, MN.
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