BioSec Bob here on Friday, June 12, 2026 — let’s get straight to it.
Feed Strategy is laying out five critical reasons the pork industry can’t afford to ignore African swine fever. ASF remains one of the most devastating diseases a swine operation can face, and the threat hasn’t diminished. The virus spreads rapidly through direct contact, contaminated feed, and soft ticks in certain regions, and there’s still no approved vaccine. A single confirmed case in a U.S. herd would trigger immediate quarantine, movement restrictions, and export bans that ripple across the entire supply chain. Feed Strategy emphasizes that ASF’s impact extends beyond the farm gate—it hits market access, commodity prices, and consumer confidence. The disease has already decimated herds in other countries, and U.S. producers need to treat prevention and biosecurity not as optional but as non-negotiable.
Shifting to poultry, Senator Chuck Grassley is pressing the USDA over its delay in finalizing a poultry grower payment rule. Brownfield Ag News reports that Grassley has been pushing for this regulation, which is designed to ensure fair and timely payments to contract growers. The delay has extended the uncertainty for producers who depend on predictable cash flow and transparent payment terms. Grassley’s office is seeking clarity on the timeline for the rule’s implementation and what’s holding it up at the agency level.
Back to swine, Michigan State University research is tackling some of the key challenges Michigan pork producers face on their farms. The National Provisioner reports that MSU’s work is zeroing in on practical solutions to improve herd performance and operational efficiency. The research focuses on on-farm realities rather than lab theory, giving producers actionable data they can apply directly to their operations.
Down in Iowa, final PRV testing could be the gateway to reopening a valuable export market. DTN Progressive Farmer reports that successful completion of pseudorabies virus testing in Iowa could clear the way for Mexican offal trade to resume—a market worth six to seven million dollars per week when it’s flowing. That’s significant revenue potentially back on the table for processors and producers.
The National Pork Board is issuing a heads-up on screwworm infestation, and Brownfield Ag News carries the alert. Producers need to watch their livestock closely for signs of screwworm—wounds that don’t heal normally, visible larvae, or behavioral changes that signal animal distress. Early detection makes all the difference in containing an infestation before it spreads.
On a broader front, the swine industry is uniting behind a national plan to improve herd health. Brownfield Ag News reports industry collaboration aimed at strengthening disease prevention and herd management across the board. That kind of coordinated effort is what it takes to keep the whole system resilient.
Keep your eyes sharp on disease monitoring this week.