By Paul Ayers, The Maschhoffs, National Pork Board member and Swine Health Advisory Committee Chair
Ever heard the saying, "A goal without a plan is just a wish?"
In my experience, pork production is just that: A goal with a detailed plan to back it up. From nutrition to housing to herd health, it’s meticulously planned and strategically managed.
Still, even the best laid plans leave room for setbacks. For pork producers, those complications are often health challenges — endemic diseases like porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus or porcine epidemic diarrhea virus or the threat of foreign animal diseases.
Prioritizing Swine Health
Swine health isn’t an issue producers deal with when it pops up; it’s constantly monitored in every operation. In fact, in a recent Pork Checkoff survey, 98% of producers said swine health is critical to their operations and the future success of the industry. Knowing that swine health is always top-of-mind, the National Pork Board, alongside industry partners, rolled out the National Swine Health Strategy.
A science-backed plan to keep herds healthy and stay ahead of future challenges, the National Swine Health Strategy is a producer-led initiative to create a measurably healthier swine herd while improving the lives of both pigs and people.
Made up of 27 producers, veterinarians and industry stakeholders, the newly founded Swine Health Advisory Committee is leading the effort for NPB, ensuring the National Swine Health Strategy’s goals and progress stay true to producers’ needs. As chair, I’ve had the chance to watch this strategy built from the ground up to prioritize the work, identify the biggest risks and drive real and timely progress for the industry.
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