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The annual award is made in memory of the late state swine veterinarian Bob Morrison.

October 1, 2019

2 Min Read
University of Minnesota veterinary professor Perle Zhitnitskiy and Zack Talbert, a University of Illinois veterinary student
INNOVATION AWARD: University of Minnesota veterinary professor Perle Zhitnitskiy congratulates Zack Talbert, a University of Illinois veterinary student, who won the annual Morrison Swine Innovator Prize. University of Minnesota CVM

University of Illinois veterinary student Zack Talbert has received the Morrison Swine Innovator Prize, an award given to veterinary students who want to specialize in swine medicine.

The award was presented Sept. 16 at the annual University of Minnesota Allen D. Leman Swine Conference in Saint Paul.

All North American veterinary students with an interest in swine health and production were eligible. Talbert’s presentation on creating a prototype device for making fumigation practices more efficient persuaded reviewers to award him the prize.

Current practice on most swine farms is to place items on wire shelving in a fumigation chamber to remove harmful pathogens before entry into a swine barn. Sometimes the items are placed side-by-side or stacked on top of each other, which decreases the fumigant’s effectiveness.

Talbert created a steel prong that holds objects aloft and, using a pulley system with a motor, turns the object’s rotisserie-style during fumigation to ensure all surfaces are covered.

“Every biosecurity practice is important these days,” Talbert said, “so we should make sure each action is as effective as possible. For several diseases, we need to do a better job of reducing the entry of pathogens by fomites.”

Talbert’s father and brother are iron workers and helped create the prototype. A patent is pending on the device.

Talbert is a third-year veterinary student and hopes to work primarily in the swine industry while keeping a hand in a mixed animal practice. The Armington, Ill., native is looking for externships to expand his skills and perhaps identify additional biosecurity innovations.

Talbert received a cash award of $7,500 plus complimentary registration and travel costs to attend the conference.

The Morrison Swine Innovator Prize honors the legacy of the late Bob Morrison, who coordinated the conference for many years. The award is sponsored by leading swine producers, veterinary practices and industry partners.

The prize has been awarded twice and won both times by University of Illinois veterinary students. Megan Bloemer won in 2018 for her work on improving biosecurity practices at truck washes.

The Allen D. Leman Swine Conference is an annual educational event for the global swine industry. It is internationally acclaimed for bringing science-driven solutions to the complex challenges facing the industry. Each year hundreds of participants from over 20 countries attend, including swine veterinarians and other professionals working in swine production and animal health management. The next conference will be held Sept. 19-22.

Source: University of Minnesota CVM, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

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