Congratulations on the Successful Completion of the 2024 Advanced Training Course on Pig Health Management

In the Warring States Period of the pig industry, competition is becoming increasingly fierce. Health management capabilities are an important development direction to win in future competition. As the core of the disease prevention and control and biosafety system, the improvement of veterinary testing laboratories' testing and management capabilities has become an important part of improving corporate competitiveness. In response to this challenge, from September 20 to 23, 2024, the "Huazhong Agricultural University Student Pig Health Management Advanced Training Course-Guanmu Excellence Training Camp Offline Class" co-organized by the Hubei Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security and Huazhong Agricultural University and hosted by Guanmu Precision Diagnosis was successfully held at the Education and Training College of Huazhong Agricultural University.

With the theme of "Dual-wheel drive of management and AI to boost the morale and efficiency of the testing team", this training course brought together laboratory directors of more than 40 large-scale breeding companies including Twin Brothers, Charoen Pokphand, Haida, Yangxiang, Zhejiang Huatong, New Ngfung, Tangrenshen, Tianxin Seeds, Tequ Group, No. 1 Food, and Liyuan Group to discuss the common problems currently faced by testing laboratories of large-scale breeding companies.

Ⅰ. Precision prevention and control of pig diseases: Focus on African swine fever and blue ear disease

The seminar discussed in depth the detection and prevention strategies of African swine fever (ASF) and blue ear disease (PRRS), two major diseases in pig farming. Associate Researcher Sun Encheng and Associate Researcher Zhang Hongliang from Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences respectively explained in detail the diagnostic techniques and prevention and control measures of these two diseases.

Prevention and control of African swine fever : As the discoverer of the new strain of African swine fever in China, Associate Researcher Sun Encheng reviewed in detail the evolution of the African swine fever strains prevalent in China from 2018 to the present, the epidemic characteristics, and the biological characteristics of different strains. Starting from the complexity and variability of the virus, it introduces how to quickly and accurately identify the virus typing through molecular diagnostic technology. For large breeding groups, African swine fever screening PCR, identification PCR, typing PCR combined with antibody testing can be used in different scenarios to more effectively identify the risk of African swine fever, formulate targeted and accurate elimination plans, and then formulate more effective epidemic prevention measures.

Prevention and control of blue ear disease :

Associate Researcher Zhang Hongliang used a comprehensive analysis of the prevalence of blue ear disease in my country, focusing on the sources of blue ear virus strains of different lineages and their prevalence in my country. He used detailed data to explain the characteristics of strains such as NADC30, NADC34, and European strains, as well as the phenomena and characteristics of their prevalence in farms. He also gave differential diagnosis methods and prevention and control measures for different branches of the virus.

He proposed that the prevention and control of blue ear disease should take into account multiple factors such as vaccine immunization, biosafety measures and drug treatment, and select appropriate detection methods according to the actual situation of the pig farm. He gave targeted prevention and control suggestions for breeding farms, commercial pig farms and fattening pig farms, emphasizing the importance of disease purification, maintaining a positive stable state and using high-titer live vaccines.

Ⅱ. Roundtable meeting: the collision of team wisdom

Mr. Zhao Heping, an internationally certified action learning facilitator, hosted the roundtable meeting and promoted candid dialogue and collaboration among participants through immersive learning workshops. Participants in the training class conducted in-depth discussions on some common management issues in the following laboratories:

1. How to improve the lack of coordination between laboratory departments and the monotony of work content to improve laboratory energy efficiency?

2. How to improve labor efficiency?

3. How to deal with staff turnover and staff development?

4. How to achieve disease early warning through detection ?

5. How to deal with employees who are unwilling to be promoted or take on greater responsibilities?

The students work together to solve practical problems in their work and achieve self-awareness and personal growth.

Ⅲ. AI empowers laboratory management

Ms. Wang Ying, Dean of Guanmu Training Academy, demonstrated the application of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in laboratory management, including prompt writing, AI tool selection, data analysis, and one-click PPT generation.

Through practical demonstrations, the trainees intuitively felt the huge potential of AI in personnel training, data analysis, experimental design, etc. Each group also used AI technology to quickly generate courseware such as "Laboratory Sampling Standard Training Materials" for demonstration and introduction.

Ⅳ. Easy-to-use portable PCR system: a powerful tool for on-site testing

Yang Zhongping, general manager of Guanmu Precision Diagnosis, introduced the "Yijianling" portable PCR system. With its convenience, accuracy and intelligence, the system solves the problems of high construction and operation costs, long time and complex operation of traditional PCR testing laboratories.

Through on-site operation drills, the trainees experienced the simple operation of Yijianling, and the test data of the AI on-site analysis team showed that the test system results were accurate and linear.

Ⅴ. Best Practice Case Sharing: Industry Insights and Experience Exchange

Guests from breeding groups such as Twin Group, Chia Tai Animal Husbandry, Hunan Tianxin Seeds, and Wellcome Animal Husbandry shared best practices in veterinary laboratories. They conducted in-depth discussions on laboratory management, project division of labor, data support, personnel training, etc., providing students with valuable industry insights and experience references.

shared their experiences and discussed the following specific issues:

1. What data support can the laboratory provide to veterinarians in the decision-making process?

2. How to efficiently complete multiple projects and divide the work among people?

3. How does the project continue after the loss of key personnel?

4. How to build and expand a laboratory team from scratch?

5. What suggestions do you have for the transition from inspector to manager?

6. How do priorities and roles change when managing a small number of labs versus a large number of labs?

7. How can laboratories better support production?

Ⅵ. Abnormal situation handling: ensuring the accuracy of test results

Teacher Yang Zhongping continued to discuss with the students the possible abnormal situations and solutions in PCR testing. Through actual case analysis, the students improved their ability to identify and deal with abnormalities in experiments and ensured the accuracy of experimental results. She emphasized the importance of thinking and experimental skills to solve problems based on principles, which provided strong support for improving the overall testing capabilities of the laboratory.

VII. Graduation and Message: Looking forward to meeting again in the future

At the graduation ceremony, Guanmu Precision Diagnosis expressed sincere gratitude to the students for their dedication to learning, and encouraged them to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the training class to their actual work and contribute to the healthy development of the breeding industry. At the same time, Guanmu Precision Diagnosis, as a growth partner for laboratory directors and veterinarians, will accompany and support them in their exploration and development on the road of pig health management for a long time.

This training course not only provides students with valuable learning opportunities and communication platforms, but also injects new vitality and impetus into the healthy development of the pig farming industry.

A great seed has been planted through this advanced training course. In the days to come, Guanmu will continue to work hand in hand with outstanding inspection lions to move from excellence to excellence!