Category Archives: Industry

Today, U.S. pork producers approved a resolution to enhance the country’s live swine traceability system during the 2024 National Pork Industry Forum hosted by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC).

Dr. Paul Sundberg, renowned for his innovation and leadership within the pork sector, was honored during the 2024 National Pork Industry Forum in Chicago with the 2024 Distinguished Service Award for his remarkable achievements. The award is selected by National Pork Board past presidents and is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the industry.

In January 2024, the Swine Health Information Center issued a formal request for proposals inviting submissions to specifically address 11 of the 36 research priorities and topics published in its 2024 Plan of Work. Areas of research spanned across three of the Center’s five strategic priorities, including monitoring and mitigating risks to swine health, responding to emerging disease, and surveillance and discovery of emerging disease. Proposals were due March 1, 2024, and a competitive review process for value to the pork industry by a SHIC working group will provide funding recommendations. A total of 43 proposals from 21 institutions were received by the deadline.

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) commended the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for again extending the New Swine Inspection System line speed trials through Jan. 15, 2025. Processing facilities will enroll in a modified time limited trial, which will include a study to evaluate the impact of increased line speeds on worker safety.

The AVMA is now accepting applications for the 2024 – 2025 AVMA Fellowship Program. The AVMA Fellowship Program is an unparalleled opportunity to shape public policy while enhancing your knowledge of the political process.

The Swine Health Information Center Board of Directors has selected Lisa Becton, DVM, MS, DACVPM as the organization’s next associate director. Becton will begin her tenure with SHIC in January 2024. Most recently, Becton served as the National Pork Board’s director of swine health. “I see this as a great opportunity to continue to serve pork producers in a little different role than in the past,” she remarked. “I really have enjoyed working with SHIC over the years in my position with Pork Board and am excited to accept this new opportunity to be a part of SHIC helping producers identify and manage emerging swine diseases.”

When we talk about advocacy in animal health and welfare, pre-harvest activities come to mind. Funding and strengthening programs to protect the nation’s pig herd from a foreign animal disease is a vital priority. Equally important are post-harvest policy issues such as food safety, human nutrition and responsible antibiotic use – key topics NPPC is discussing on a national and global stage.

U.S. pork producers tasked the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) with leading an effort to update the existing swine traceability system. NPPC is asking swine producers, veterinarians, cull swine and breeding operators and show pig enthusiasts to comment on the draft standards by Oct. 27, 2023.

In response to the growing threat from foreign animal diseases (FADs) including African Swine Fever (ASF), representatives from the National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board identified six ASF preparedness priorities for industry. Among them -“develop a plan to regain export markets” – which will require improvements to our ability to trace live hogs.

Foreign animal disease (FAD) preparedness often seems uneventful, but significant progress is being made behind the scenes. Maintaining an FAD-free environment is a silent success with pork producers playing a central role in these efforts, ensuring the industry’s long-term sustainability.