Brad Leuwerke, DVM, was named the 2026 Swine Practitioner of the Year by the American Association of Swine Veterinarians during the association’s 57th Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. The award is given to the swine practitioner who has demonstrated an unusual degree of proficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of veterinary service to clients.
Originally from a farm near Forest City, Iowa, Leuwerke earned an MSc in veterinary microbiology and preventative medicine and DVM from Iowa State University in 2006.
Leuwerke joined the Swine Vet Center in St. Peter, Minnesota, immediately after graduation. There, he oversees sow herd and nursery/grow-finish health, trains clients on health topics and conducts research.
Leuwerke stands out for his balance of science, common sense and character. Clients view him as a “kind, humble, empathetic leader and a talented, approachable resource.” His critical thinking skills and ability to contribute on topics such as animal welfare, infectious diseases, biosecurity, responsible use of antimicrobials and live vaccines demonstrate his holistic vision toward the profession and the level of respect he has for the pig, the consumer and the environment.
Under the mentorship of Eileen Thacker in veterinary school, Leuwerke was introduced to the concept of a swine only veterinarian, and she encouraged him to attend the 2003 AASV Annual Meeting. Leuwerke has attended every AASV Annual meeting since. He has presented, chaired seminars, served on the program planning committee and participated in student recruitment events. He has also been an active participant and leader in AASV committees, especially the Pork Safety Committee.
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