U.S. PEDV Outbreak Quieting Down

Aug 19, 2013

U.S. PEDV Outbreak Quieting Down

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

There are signs that the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) that swept through swine herds in the United States may be slowing down, according to the National Pork Board.

Since mid-May the virus had spread to 18 states, which caused alarm for many North American hog producers. There were more than 330 cases of the virus confirmed as of July 8, with the highest concentrations in Iowa and Oklahoma.

“Right now all we have is anecdotal information from the field and it sounds like the spread of the virus has decreased,” explains Dr. Paul Sundberg, the vice president science and technology with the National Pork Board.

While the virus appears to be slowing, hog producers are asked to remain vigilant with implementing biosecurity measures on-farm and identifying sickness in their herds.

Video: What Does 20 MILLION Hogs a Year Look Like?

?? The Multi-Plant System Processing 20 Million Hogs Annually in the Midwest JBS USA operates multiple large-scale pork processing facilities across the Midwest, including major plants in Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana. Combined, these facilities have the capacity to process approximately 20 million hogs annually.

Each plant operates high-speed automated slaughter systems capable of processing up to 20,000 head per day, followed by fabrication lines that break carcasses into primals, sub-primals, and case-ready retail products.

Hog procurement is coordinated through electronic marketing platforms that connect regional contract finishing operations and independent producers to plant demand schedules. This digital procurement system allows for steady supply flow and scheduling efficiency across multiple facilities.

Processing plants incorporate comprehensive food safety systems, including pathogen intervention technologies, rapid chilling processes, and integrated cold-chain management. USDA inspection is embedded throughout the harvest and fabrication stages to ensure regulatory compliance and product integrity. Finished pork products — from bulk primals to retail-ready packaged cuts — are distributed through coordinated logistics networks serving domestic and export markets.