To address both the endemic diseases producers manage every day and the ever-present threat of foreign animal diseases (FADs), the National Pork Board (NPB) is leading the development of a producer-driven National Swine Health Strategy (NSHS) focused on improving the health of pigs and people. This work advances a 2025 advisement from the Pork Act Delegates, aligns with NPB’s three-year strategic plan, and upholds our commitment to pigs, people and the planet.
The NSHS is about aligning priorities, focusing resources and steering the industry in the same direction on the health challenges that matter most. The effort is focused on building upon the research and swine health applications in existence to advance swine health for the whole U.S. herd.
A Producer-Led, Industry-Supported Approach
After gathering input from producers across the country through surveys and listening sessions, the NSHS advisory group of producers, veterinarians and industry stakeholders put forth swine health priorities and objectives for the whole industry to work toward together. The strategy focuses on two primary goals:
- Reduce the impact of domestic diseases
- Keep foreign and emerging diseases out
The path to achieving those goals is complex and requires changes to beliefs and behaviors throughout the whole industry. For us to turn research and strategy into action takes a collaborative effort, involving all pork industry organizations and an understanding of the current work and status of each priority area.
Turning Priorities Into Action
Staff at NPB, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), state pork associations, American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) and Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) worked together to develop work plans under each priority area, accounting for current industry efforts and identifying new ways to connect.
While the following is not an exhaustive list of work, it provides a starting point for the NSHS to progress.
GOAL: REDUCE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC DISEASES
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) Elimination
- Economic study on PRRSV elimination
- Understand the level of industry support related to PRRSV elimination
- Outline steps of an elimination program
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) Elimination
- Economic study on PEDV elimination
- Continue to support PEDV clean certification within the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (U.S. SHIP)
- Engage with states interested in piloting regional elimination programs
Reduce the spread of pathogens in the U.S. Pork industry
- Understand and benchmark biosecurity
- Improve industry awareness of biocontainment
- Support improvement of transport biosecurity
- Explore biosecurity validation/verification program
GOAL: KEEP FOREIGN AND EMERGING DISEASES OUT
FAD prevention & preparedness
- Continued support of preparedness programs (Secure Pork Supply (SPS) Plan, Certified Swine Sample Collector (CSSC) training program, AgView®, U.S. SHIP)
- Advance industry traceability goals
- Continue global disease monitoring
- Update FAD response documents
Monitoring and early detection of emerging diseases
- Continue global and domestic disease monitoring
- Continued work on H5N1 and New World Screwworm response planning
Continuing the Journey
At Forum, I moderated a panel discussion to share an update on the progress to date as well as the opportunities and challenges others see as we move this effort forward. The panel provided a variety of perspectives and included Jeremy Roberson, Iowa pork producer and NPPC Animal Health Committee member, Scott Hays, Missouri Pork Producers Association executive director, Meredith Petersen, NPB swine health director, and Joe Dykhuis, Michigan pork producer.
During the panel, Joe Dykhuis discussed the important role producers play in eliminating pathogens.
“We need to do something and the thing that brings me hope is a substantial change in producer attitude,” said Dykhuis. “We can’t fight this alone – we need to work together with other producers to do it and be open to sharing information about our disease status with others, not just our own operation.”
Producer discussions at Forum provided a strong foundation for the next steps in the process.
Our destination is clear: a measurably healthier U.S. swine herd. Now, we work to identify the best course to reach that destination.
The Next Phase: What Producers Can Expect
We know improving herd health is a long-term commitment. And achieving meaningful progress, particularly with diseases like PRRSV, will require sustained participation, science-based approaches, and patience.
It is more important than ever that we protect our industry together, and to do that, we need everyone’s participation.
Producers can expect:
- Opportunities for producer adoption and participation
- Stronger collaboration across industry organizations
- NPB Swine Health advisory committee to prioritize and provide direction on work related to:
- Targeted research to address industry gaps
- Resources with clear, actionable practices for producers
- Pork Checkoff investments aligned with producers’ top priorities
We also recognize that doing the same things and expecting different results won’t move us forward. Success will depend on adoption at the farm level. NPB will provide the science, tools, and support that producers need to make informed decisions that strengthen their operations.
Together, we’re navigating the road to a healthier herd, with shared responsibility and shared success. NPB is committed to creating measurable progress that producers can see in their own operations. When we improve the herd’s health, we aren’t just improving the numbers; we are improving the daily environment for everyone involved.
I encourage all producers and veterinarians to stay engaged and learn more about the National Swine Health Strategy at porkcheckoff.org/strategy.
