The Swine Health Information Center and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate are marking three years of successful collaboration to better understand and reduce the risk of African swine fever virus transmission through feed ingredients. Supported by a $650,000 grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, this five-year project continues to make significant strides in protecting the U.S. swine herd from one of the most serious global animal health threats.
The USDA NIFA-funded research, conducted in partnership with DHS S&T at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, investigates ASFV stability in soybean-based feed ingredients and enhances diagnostic tools to detect virus contamination. The partnership represents a strong model of cooperation between stakeholder organizations and federal agencies, uniting expertise, infrastructure and shared goals to safeguard U.S. agricultural biosecurity.
Feed biosecurity is an important aspect of overall agricultural biosecurity, as previous research has proven that contaminated feed and ingredients can serve as a source for introduction and spread of transboundary animal diseases. Soybean products, widely used in complete pig feeds, are globally traded and can pose a potential disease introduction risk if imported from ASFV endemic countries or regions.
Led by SHIC Executive Director Megan Niederwerder in partnership with DHS Principal Investigator Lindsay Gabbert at PIADC, research milestones have been achieved, including:
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