Maintaining the health of the U.S. hog herd has always required constant vigilance against animal disease threats. In recent years, much of the attention has centered on global concerns, such as African Swine Fever, with biosecurity efforts ramping up to prevent it from entering the country. But international threats aren’t the only challenges facing producers—domestic health concerns and emerging disease risks demand just as much focus and preparation.
Dr. Anna Forseth with the National Pork Producers Council says the landscape of herd health threats has changed significantly in the past year. While foreign animal diseases like African Swine Fever remain top of mind, there’s been a noticeable rise in domestic health concerns that demand equal attention. Forseth says producers are now navigating a broader range of issues, from endemic diseases to emerging health risks that weren’t on the radar just a short time ago. This evolving environment is prompting NPPC to adapt its approach to better protect herd health on all fronts.
Of course, any work that can be done for disease prevention or in reaction to an outbreak needs to have a funded program. Forseth talks about some of the things that we need to have funding to make this work. This includes a vaccine bank and labs that help us stay ahead of animal health threats.
Dr. Forseth encourages Iowa pork producers to take the time to share their animal health priorities with NPPC. She says producer input is vital to shaping sound policies and guiding future herd health initiatives that truly reflect on-the-ground needs.
As the landscape of animal health threats continues to evolve, NPPC remains committed to working together with producers to stay ahead of the curve. Your voice plays a critical role in shaping the future of herd health. To learn more or get involved, visit the NPPC website.
