SHIC Integration into National Pork Board

Protecting the U.S. swine herd is a top priority and shared common goal across the swine industry. Producers benefit when researchers, veterinarians and industry organizations are clear about shared priorities and focused on outcomes at the farm. Aligning SHIC’s monitoring, research investments and resources with the producer-led National Swine Health Strategy will strengthen coordination, focus producer dollars and help turn science into practical tools and action on farms across all areas of swine health.

During the past two years, pork producers, including NPB’s board of directors, have prioritized developing and implementing a National Swine Health Strategy, an industry roadmap of shared goals and priorities to improve the overall health of the national swine herd. That national strategy was solidified in 2025 and activated across the industry in 2026, specifically through the addition of an NPB Swine Health Advisory Committee to continue ongoing producer and industry input on what comes next for swine health.

Yes. The day-to-day work and SHIC’s established system for identifying and responding to emerging disease threats, from surveillance and monitoring to reporting and research, will continue. Continuity in these services and support to producers, researchers, veterinarians and industry partners is a top priority for both boards.

Yes. Emerging disease threats require timely action. The goal is to preserve SHIC’s ability to identify new threats, get research underway and share useful information quickly as its work becomes part of NPB. The integration is designed to connect SHIC with broader resources without adding any delays to the work that producers and veterinarians depend on.

Yes. Domestic and global disease monitoring and reporting will continue. The industry relies on timely information in this area of swine health to help producers and veterinarians understand changing disease risks and take earlier industry action.

Yes. All active research projects will continue uninterrupted. NPB and SHIC are working together with research institutions and allied industry partners to support a smooth transition and avoid interruptions. Project-specific guidance and updated points of contact will be shared directly with research project teams by NPB and SHIC throughout the integration period.

Yes. Priority research on emerging swine disease threats will continue, and producers will be front and center in prioritizing these and other research projects and their funding.

Yes. NPB already works with numerous outside funding sources to maximize producer dollars on research, education and promotion efforts, and will continue to do so as part of the National Swine Health Strategy.

Yes. Researchers and allied industry can submit research ideas to NPB for consideration at any time. The NPB swine health team will review them; they may also help inform future research priorities or funding opportunities, depending on when they are submitted and the urgency of the need.

Researchers who are interested in partnering with NPB on swine health researcher related to emerging disease should follow the requirements listed in each Pork Checkoff request for proposals and submit proposals through the Pork Checkoff Research Portal (unless an RFP states otherwise). Proposals use a standard format and are reviewed for scientific merit, industry priority and value to pork producers.

Yes. NPB communicates research opportunities and results through articles and updates to the industry on a weekly basis across topics and priority areas. When it comes to swine health and emerging disease updates, NPB will ensure that translating and communicating research findings into producer-facing information, tools, and resources remains a priority throughout the integration.

Research funded by the Pork Checkoff is archived regularly at: porkcheckoff.org/research

Producer input will continue to guide NPB’s work in emerging disease, endemic disease and foreign animal disease through the National Swine Health Strategy, including NPB’s producer-led Board of Directors and NPB’s Swine Health Advisory Committee. The advisory committee includes representatives from across the industry, such as producers, veterinarians, researchers, and other technical swine health experts and on-farm advisers.

Producers and allied industry professionals should expect a seamless transition for emerging disease work as part of the ongoing National Swine Health Strategy. The same core research, disease monitoring and communication will continue, supported by Pork Checkoff resources and clear accountability for how those dollars are invested.

Pork producers rely on swine health information being readily available when they need it. Finding answers to those questions and using producer-funded resources should be simple and fast. Bringing SHIC’s emerging-disease expertise together with NPB’s broader swine health work creates an opportunity for one trusted place that producers and veterinarians can turn to for information and practical tools.