The Swine report

SHIC-Funded Standardized Outbreak Investigation Program Continues to Serve Industry Needs

The Swine Health Information Center funded the development and expansion of the Standardized Outbreak Investigation Program (SOIP) to address a critical gap in swine biosecurity. Dr. Derald Holtkamp, Iowa State University, leads the program, which offers online access, standardized resources, and reporting of outcomes for producers and their veterinarians to use in the event of a disease outbreak. While many biosecurity control measures exist, little research has focused on identifying the specific hazards and pathogen entry routes those measures are intended to prevent. Consequently, biosecurity resources are often applied inefficiently. SOIP uses disease outbreak investigations as opportunities to conduct systematic biosecurity hazard analyses, identify likely pathways of pathogen introduction, and prioritize risks that warrant intervention. Find the entire project report for SHIC project #25-053 here. SOIP strengthens the infrastructure needed to translate outbreak investigation fRead More

Beef export value rises 6% in July; pork falls on PRV hit

July exports of U.S. beef climbed 6% year-over-year in value while volume was steady, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Although restrictions related to a finding of pseudorabies virus were removed in mid-to-late July, pork exports – especially pork variety meats – were still significantly impacted, which contributed to July results trending lower than a year ago. Taiwan, Mexico and Japan fuel increase in July beef export value Beef exports totaled 89,139 metric tons, steady with last July, while value was 6% higher at $796.7 million. The value increase was driven primarily by another outstanding month for Taiwan, as well as strong results in Mexico, Japan, the Middle East, Colombia, the Caribbean and the ASEAN region. July shipments to China rebounded slightly from last year’s minimal volumes, but remained far below the levels seen in previous years. Beef export value equated to just over $421 per head of fed slaughter in July, up 14%Read More

PRRS-resistant pigs offer new hope for North America

The United States has long been a leader in agricultural innovation, including in the development and regulatory review of gene-edited agricultural products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) 2025 approval of the gene edit used to breed PRRS-resistant pigs marked an important step in bringing the technology closer to commercial reality. As discussions about gene editing continue across the livestock sector, interest in the technology is growing throughout North America, especially as the impact of PRRS continues to grow at an alarming rate. Across the continent, the industry sees the same problem—and perhaps the same potential solution. As gene editing moves from theory to commercial reality, both with the PRRS-resistant pig and other gene-edited livestock and crops, a number of countries are signaling confidence in the technology's potential. Improving animal welfare and maintaining safety standards In 2026, Canadian regulators approved PRRS-resistant pigs after an extRead More