The National Pork Board (NPB) plays a critical role in improving swine health, which is of high importance to producers. According to NPB’s 2024 producer survey, 98% of producers believe herd health is important to the future success of the industry. The swine industry faces complex health challenges, which require a collaborative approach across multiple groups and organizations.
That’s why NPB has been working with the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and other key stakeholders to develop a comprehensive National Swine Health Strategy to protect and strengthen the U.S. herd. This collaborative, producer-led initiative to improve swine health is grounded in extensive discussions with stakeholder organizations, a renewed focus on ASF priorities in recent years, and Pork Act Delegates approving an advisement at the 2025 Pork Industry Forum to develop a National Swine Health Strategy.
I’m proud to share that we’re making steady progress on this strategy, which is putting us on the road to a healthier herd – and the larger goal of improving the lives of our pigs and our people.
Step 1: Gather Information and Producer Input
As a first step, we connected with producers to gather their input about the biggest swine health challenges to help inform this strategy and how it can meet producers’ needs. We started with input from producers, veterinarians, and other allied and industry stakeholders to understand their perspectives on current and anticipated swine health challenges.
Participants were asked to list the top swine health challenges they face that the industry should address in the next several years. The information was gathered through a survey, one-on-one conversations, listening sessions at industry events and state pork association outreach. After months of collaborative work across the barnyard, the data collection phase closed Sept. 1, 2025.
Of the total responses, 68% were from producers and 32% were from other industry stakeholders. The input-gathering effort resulted in:
- 822 completed surveys
- 47 listening sessions totaling over 1,000 attendees
- 36 states represented by producers
The NPB team has analyzed the data and identified top themes reported by respondents. An advisory group consisting of producer leaders, state pork association executives, NPB and NPPC CEOs, and staff veterinarians is utilizing this data to create a set of strategic priorities for the swine industry.
The priorities will then be reviewed by the boards of the two national organizations, and will be shared with the state associations for feedback.
Step 2: Create National Swine Health Strategy
Producers continue to prioritize swine health and NPB is committed to achieving a measurably healthier swine herd that improves the lives of pigs and people. The feedback we’ve collected is guiding the design of a cohesive framework that directly addresses today’s most pressing swine health challenges and ensures research and programs translate into action.
This means we’re taking three things into account: producer and industry input, industry expertise and the advisory group’s direction to develop swine health priorities as recommendations. Building on the advisory group’s identified priorities, NPB and NPPC will turn these recommendations into practical, collaborative, and actionable outcomes. We aren’t reinventing the wheel – just steering the industry in the right direction to improve swine health.
Informed by producer insights and direction from the advisory group, staff will have a draft strategy to present to the NPB Board of Directors in November.
Step 3: Improve The Lives of Our Pigs and Our People
Our National Swine Health Strategy is informed by producers, for producers. This is just the beginning as we work to tackle some of the industry’s most pressing health challenges. Together, we’re laying the foundation for a healthier herd and a more resilient future for U.S. pork.
The National Swine Health Strategy will be shared with stakeholders across government, academia and allied industries to provide clear information on the industry’s priorities for advancing swine health. NPB will also share an update on its development with delegates at the 2026 Pork Industry Forum.
The outcomes of the National Swine Health Strategy will foster more collaborative efforts across organizations, guide future swine health initiatives, and ensure Pork Checkoff funds are invested in producers’ top priorities.
Stay Connected with Our Swine Health Team
Our swine health team leads industry-wide swine health initiatives by collaborating with partners to provide ongoing education and research to further improve swine health in herds across the country. For questions about the National Swine Health Strategy, you can reach my team directly by emailing us at [email protected].
Additionally, I encourage swine vets to stay up to date with our progress and other important NPB initiatives by signing up for our Swine Health Bulletin.
The National Pork Board has responsibility for Pork Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in consumer education and marketing, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, science and technology, swine health, pork safety, and environmental management and sustainability. For the past half century, the U.S. pork industry has delivered on its commitment to sustainable production and has made significant strides in reducing the environmental impact of pig farming. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.35 for each $100 value of hogs sold. Importers of pork products contribute a like amount, based on a formula. For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675 or visit porkcheckoff.org.
