National Pork Board Collaborates with Canadian Officials on FAD Preparedness

Aug 03, 2022

NPB's chief veterinarian shared U.S. pork’s strategies to prevent the spread of foreign animal diseases (FADs) with Canadian officials last month.

pork

An FAD outbreak in North America, such as African swine fever (ASF), could stop the movement of animals and animal products across international borders.

At the Pacific Northwest Economic Region Summit in Alberta, Dr. Dustin Oedekoven said U.S. pork producers are proactively developing and adopting tools to help identify and mitigate the spread of an FAD outbreak quickly.

This collaboration between the U.S. and Canada is a continuing effort that began in 2021 when USDA APHIS and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency developed a protocol to continue bilateral trade in case of an ASF detection in feral swine in either country.

The plan was developed to protect domestic herds in both countries and minimize impacts on the trade of live swine, products and other commodities.

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Video: Veteran Farmers: A Legacy of Service in Rural America

Veterans Day is a time to honor the men and women who have selflessly protected our freedoms and values. And for some, the transition from military service to civilian life brings them back to the farm.

At Farm Bureau, we believe it’s important to not only celebrate veterans but also those who continue to make a difference in agriculture and their community. We've partnered with Farm Credit to establish the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence to shine a light on those who have continued to go above and beyond to serve their communities.

This year, we recognize retired Colonel Joe Ricker as the inaugural Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence winner. Joe served over 30 years in the Army before retiring from the Pentagon and completing tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Since leaving the Army, his commitment to excellence in farming and enriching the lives of veterans has blossomed in a myriad of ways in both his local community of Wilkinson, Indiana, and across the country. Joe grows apples and raises bees on his farm in Indiana. Joe founded “Veterans IN Farming,” an organization, now with more than 1,100 members, dedicated to providing veterans in Indiana with the tools and training to succeed in agriculture.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is an independent, non-governmental, voluntary organization, comprised of and directed by farm and ranch families who engage in all types of food, fuel and fiber production.