New Biosecurity Resource Helps Producers Protect Pigs

Jul 22, 2022

$50 billion. That's the estimated economic impact over 10 years if African swine fever finds its way into the United States, according to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

And the threat is not limited to foreign animal diseases. High costs from endemic diseases, such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, also plague health and productivity on U.S. swine farms.

Developing a biosecurity plan and training farm employees on biosecurity practices are necessary steps to prevent high-consequence pathogens like these from entering and affecting swine farms. Now a "one-stop shop" for the information and resources pork producers need for their on-farm biosecurity program can be found at a website created at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.

"They say 'what you don't coach, you condone,' and biosecurity is certainly not something the swine industry can afford to condone," said Dr. Isha Agrawal, a doctoral student in the lab of Dr. Csaba Varga who led the development of the website.

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Video: Exploring Precision Data in Swine Production - Dr. Janice Siegford

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Janice Siegford from Michigan State University discusses how precision livestock farming data can support pig health, welfare, transparency, and decision making. She explains why data ownership, privacy, consumer perception, and cost sharing must be addressed as technology becomes more common on farms. Listen now on all major platforms.

“Precision livestock farming data can support producers, veterinarians, certifiers, and consumers by enabling improved monitoring, prediction, and decision-making across the entire production system.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Janice Siegford / janice-siegford-24318839 is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Animal Science at Michigan State University. Her expertise in animal welfare, neuroscience, and zoology supports research on pig behavior, stress resilience, and precision livestock farming. Her work explores early weaning, genetics, and stakeholder perspectives on technology adoption to improve pig care, health, and productivity. Learn more from Dr. Janice Siegford on The Swine it Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.