Pork Producers Need to be Prepared for Possible Swine Disease Outbreaks

Sunday, August 6th, 2023 -- 9:00 AM

(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -The pork industry faces significant challenges due to the constant threat of Foreign Animal Disease outbreaks, such as African Swine Fever (ASF).

With the recent proximity of ASF to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, it's crucial for pork producers to be well-prepared in the event of an outbreak. An Iowa State University study estimates that an ASF outbreak in the United States could result in a staggering economic loss of $50 billion over 10 years if not contained.

In case of an African Swine Fever outbreak, producers would encounter a halt to pork exports, a 50% drop in hog prices, a mandatory 72-hour stop movement of all swine, culling of herds in containment zones, and 100% fatality rates in infected herds. To mitigate such catastrophic impacts, a proactive approach through biosecurity, traceability, and surveillance is essential.

Three key areas for preparedness: Biosecurity: Implementing robust biosecurity measures can prevent disease entry into swine operations and save significant costs, estimated between $2 to $10 per head. The Secure Pork Supply Plan (SPS), funded by USDA and Pork Checkoff, offers a business plan for voluntary preparation before an outbreak.

Traceability: The National Pork Board provides the AgView software, enabling secure storage of pig movement records and premises identification, assisting producers in obtaining animal movement permits after the stop movement order.

Preparedness Plan: Enrolling in the US Swine Health Improvement Plan (US SHIP) establishes industry, state, and federal partnerships to ensure uniform approaches to disease prevention, response, and recovery. Preparedness is key to safeguarding swine herds and the industry as a whole.

By taking advantage of available resources and programs, producers can strengthen their resilience against Foreign Animal Disease outbreaks and protect their profitability and herd health. Contact the Extension Swine Outreach Specialist for assistance in developing a comprehensive plan.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.