BioSec Bob here on Monday, April 13, 2026 — let’s get right into it.
We’re starting on the poultry side with some concerning timing out of the UK. FarmingUK is reporting that bird flu has returned just days after housing restrictions were lifted on poultry flocks. The mandatory indoor housing rules that had been in place to protect birds from wild bird contact were recently relaxed, and now cases are surfacing again in the country. The quick reemergence raises questions about the balance between giving producers room to operate and maintaining disease barriers — especially as we head into spring migration season when wild bird movement increases.
Over to the swine sector, and there’s positive movement on inventory. Farm Progress is reporting that U.S. hog inventory is growing alongside rising export demand. The combination suggests producers are confident enough in market conditions to expand herds while international buyers continue pulling product. That’s worth watching as we move through the spring breeding cycle.
Staying with poultry biosecurity, the Franklin County Free Press has a detailed piece on wild bird management around commercial flocks. The focus is practical — controlling access points, water sources, and feed storage where wild birds might congregate near your operation. It’s a reminder that housing rules are only part of the equation; daily biosecurity discipline around the perimeter matters just as much.
The disease picture takes a darker turn internationally. The Daily Monitor in Uganda is reporting that African swine fever has killed 414 pigs in Kalangala district. That outbreak underscores how quickly ASF can move through a region once it takes hold, and it’s a steady reminder of why import protocols and herd monitoring remain critical for U.S. producers.
Up in Canada, Alberta Poultry Farmers are preparing for the spring migration according to National Today. The seasonal movement of migratory birds is expected to intensify in the coming weeks, and producers are taking precautions as wild flocks move through the region during their northbound journey.
Finally, there’s some movement on the trade front. Yahoo News Singapore is reporting that Singapore’s food authority has lifted its ban on pork imports from Taiwan after officials determined that African swine fever outbreak on the island has been contained. Taiwan had faced significant export restrictions, and this clearance could ease some of the broader trade pressure around pork supplies.
Keep your biosecurity protocols tight this week — migration season’s here.