From Farms to Borders: Ensuring Biosecurity in the Pork Industry

Jun 12, 2023

From canines at U.S. entry points to workers on the farm, biosecurity is not taken lightly across the pork industry with foreign animal disease prevention and response being a top priority.

“I feel like our industry in our country is doing a great job so far. Otherwise, I think we would have had it by now,” says Matt Gent, president-elect of Iowa Pork Producers Association. “So, we're doing our job, whether that's at our airports or our borders or even at the barn level.”

As China still works to recover following an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak starting in 2018, Michelle Rook reports on AgDay, the event serves as a wake-up call to U.S. producers to up their FAD game.

“Obviously the implications of ASF, if it hits the U.S. pork industry, expands much further beyond just the pork industry, right. I mean, grain farmers alike. I mean, it would be certainly be traumatic to the state of Iowa or Midwest economies in general,” explains Matt Romoser, Iowa pork producer and Iowa State University Extension swine field specialist.

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Video: You Be The Judge: Evaluating 8 Breeding Rams!

It's time for some honest feedback here at Ewetopia Farms! Today, we’re showing you all eight rams we used for breeding this year. Instead of just presenting them, we thought it would be fun to create a “Ram Report Card” — where we point out both their strengths and areas for improvement.

But here’s the twist: you be the judge! In the comments, let us know what you like about each ram and what you think could be improved. No ram is ever perfect, but every one of them brings something valuable to the flock. By sharing perspectives, we all learn more about what to look for in good breeding stock.

At Ewetopia Farms, we raise registered Suffolk and Polled Dorset sheep, focusing on high-quality genetics, structure, and friendly temperaments. Evaluating breeding rams is part of the bigger picture of building stronger flocks — and we’re excited to share the process with you.

If you enjoy seeing how we evaluate our animals, follow along by subscribing to our channel. We share daily insights into the joys and challenges of sheep farming here in Canada.