BioSec Bob here on Monday, May 18, 2026—let’s dig into what’s moving the needle this morning.
Starting with a disease alert out of Iowa. Morning Ag Clips is reporting on an update to the pseudorabies response affecting a swine herd in the state. Pseudorabies, also known as Aujeszky’s disease, is a viral infection that can cause significant production losses and mortality in affected operations. The Iowa Department of Agriculture is coordinating response efforts, though specific details on herd size, timeline, and containment measures are still being clarified. Producers in Iowa and neighboring states should verify their biosecurity protocols and stay alert for any clinical signs in their own herds.
Turning to Capitol Hill now—lawmakers are pushing back on a regulatory direction from the USDA. According to Food Safety News, a bipartisan group of legislators is calling on the agency to maintain current line speeds at poultry and pork processing plants, arguing that faster processing actually supports food safety oversight rather than hindering it. The lawmakers contend that adequate line speeds allow inspectors to properly monitor products and that slowdowns could paradoxically compromise the safety systems producers and consumers depend on. The USDA has been reviewing line speed standards, and this letter signals producer and processor concerns about how any changes might affect both safety and operational efficiency.
On the poultry disease front, FOX 5 Atlanta is reporting on a Salmonella outbreak linked to backyard ducks that’s hitting Georgia. State health officials have confirmed cases connected to contact with infected birds kept in residential settings. Backyard poultry operations have grown significantly across the Southeast, and while they operate outside commercial food systems, Salmonella shed from these birds can spread to family members and property. The Georgia Department of Public Health is recommending hand hygiene and biosecurity best practices for anyone keeping waterfowl, particularly households with young children or immunocompromised individuals.
Separate from that outbreak, Axios is reporting that federal regulators are zeroing in on the chicken industry more broadly. The focus appears centered on production practices, food safety protocols, and how major integrators manage their contract grower networks. Details on which specific regulations or enforcement actions may be coming remain limited, but the increased scrutiny reflects broader federal interest in poultry sector operations.
Shifting to trade, there’s movement in the international pork market worth watching. CPG Click Petróleo e Gás is reporting that Brazil’s swine industry exported $324.1 million worth of pork in April alone, despite weakness in the domestic market. The Philippines has become the largest destination for Brazilian pork exports, followed by other Asian markets. Brazilian producers are capitalizing on competitive pricing and strong demand in Asia, which continues to shape global pork supply and pricing dynamics for US producers.
And finally, on the technology side, Poultry World is covering innovations reshaping broiler production. Automation in feed delivery, climate control systems, and genetic selection tools are improving feed conversion efficiency and bird welfare metrics across modern operations. Real-time monitoring systems are also helping producers catch health issues earlier in the growth cycle. It’s a reminder that the competitive landscape includes ongoing technological advancement on the production side.
Keep your ears open—lot of moving parts this week.