Source: National Pork Board news release

Des Moines, IA — The health of the U.S. swine herd is critical to every pork producer’s livelihood and the industry’s future. Producers battle both everyday endemic diseases and the looming threat of foreign animal diseases (FADs) that could devastate their livelihoods. That’s why the National Pork Board (NPB), working together with key industry partners like the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), is actively developing a comprehensive National Swine Health Strategy.

Meredith Petersen, DVM, PhD, MPH, and director of swine health for NPB, recently highlighted the urgency and said, “NPB recently conducted a producer survey, and 98% of producers identified swine health as important to the future success of the industry.” This feedback shapes NPB’s three-year strategic plan, which aims to improve the lives of pigs and people, with a clear goal of achieving a measurably healthier swine herd.

Anna Forseth, DVM, director of animal health for NPPC, emphasizes the need for a broader perspective. She said, “It was time to re-evaluate the six African swine fever priorities and potentially broaden the scope of the topics we work on.” This new strategy will address a wider range of health challenges.

Patrick Webb, DVM, assistant chief veterinarian for NPB, underscores the importance of smart resource allocation. “Pork producers care about the health and welfare of the pigs they raise. Endemic diseases pose real challenges that tangibly affect the pigs’ health, production, and the producers’ bottom line,” he said. “Looking at the numerous opportunities to improve swine health across the industry, these national resources must be allocated strategically to provide the best return on investment, and that is where the National Swine Health Strategy comes in.”

Currently, efforts to improve swine health can feel scattered. Initiatives in many areas, from barn innovation and diagnostics to nutrition, biosecurity, and FAD preparedness, are all in place. The National Swine Health Strategy aims to pull these diverse efforts together, creating a more aligned and cohesive framework that directly tackles the industry’s most pressing health challenges.

A Strategy Informed by Producers, for Producers

What truly sets this strategy apart is its producer-driven approach. By gathering extensive input from producers across all types of operations – independent producers, integrated producer-packers show pig producers, niche and specialty producers, and contract growers, grassroots voices are heard. This isn’t just a survey; it’s a commitment to ensuring every producer is given a voice.

“The key first step is getting producer and stakeholder input, collecting it throughout the summer,” Petersen explained. “We ask about top swine health challenges and how we can address them.” Swine veterinarians, nutritionists, allied industry members, swine educators and outreach professionals are also being surveyed to gain a comprehensive understanding of current and future swine health challenges and how the industry can best provide support.

This vital data collection phase is open until September 1. It includes online and phone surveys, one-on-one conversations, and listening sessions at industry events and open forums. State pork associations will be instrumental in facilitating this outreach, ensuring broad participation from across the country.

Following input gathering, a diverse advisory group has been formed to guide the strategy’s direction. This group includes producer leaders representing various segments of the industry, state pork association executives, the CEOs of NPPC and NPB, and their lead swine veterinarians. Their crucial role is to review the aggregated survey results and insights, then use this industry input to prioritize the most critical swine health challenges. The development of this strategy is on a fast track, with an update on progress scheduled for delegates at the 2026 Pork Forum.

Clear Direction for a Healthier Herd

The completed National Swine Health Strategy is expected to provide clear direction and a set of priorities that have broad industry support. As Petersen said, “We would love to see everyone rowing the boat in the same direction when it comes to swine health.” The ultimate goal is a measurable improvement in the health of the U.S. swine herd, leading to tangible benefits for producers. These benefits include increased employee morale, improved animal welfare, lower replacement rates, and ultimately, higher profits. Forseth also said, “Some work may have a producer education or research component, some may have an advocacy component, and all will require effort from stakeholders equipped to work in different areas.”

Petersen anticipates that the strategy will lead to more alignment and coordination across different groups and initiatives. She also highlights that the strategy will encompass a holistic view of swine health, moving beyond just “bugs and drugs” to include vital factors like nutrition, genetics, and on-farm management practices. This comprehensive approach recognizes the multifaceted nature of swine health and the many elements that contribute to it.

When complete, sharing the advisory group’s priorities presents a vital opportunity to help shape the future of swine health in the U.S. If you have questions regarding the National Swine Health Strategy or would like to take the survey over the phone, please contact the NPB service center at 800-456-7675. This unified, producer-led, and collaborative approach promises a healthier, more resilient, and more profitable future for the U.S. pork industry.

By | Published On: July 7, 2025 | Categories: Agrimarketing, Pork | Comments Off on Nat’l Pork Board, Nat’l Pork Producers Council To Build A Swine Health Strategy For Producers |

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