No matter how prepared we think the swine industry is, it’s always important to stay vigilant against foreign animal diseases. If an outbreak were to occur, efficient and accurate swine traceability may help reduce the number of animals impacted and the response time. Dr. Brent Pepin, director of swine health with the National Pork Board, said show pigs may impose disease risks due to their frequent travel.
Pepin said the National Pork Board is working to improve traceability efforts through cooperative agreements with the USDA-APHIS to distribute radio frequency identification (RFID) reader technology to exhibition sites.
Like exhibition sites, the National Pork Board is also addressing a gap in the traceability of cull sows. Each cull sow facility can receive up to four handheld RFID readers and five RFID reader panels. When pigs walk off the truck, they walk by the RFID panels, where their number can be pulled if they have RFID 840 tags. Regardless, each exhibition or cull sow market site must have a valid Premise Identification Number to receive RFID equipment.
As the pork industry continues improving traceability efforts, these cooperative efforts with the USDA represent a significant investment in the infrastructure to further protect the national swine herd. Eligible facilities and locations are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity while funds remain available through September 2026 to help build a more responsive national system. For more information, visit porkcheckoff.org.
