BioSec Bob here on Monday, May 4, 2026 — let’s get right into it.
The USDA has confirmed pseudorabies in swine herds in both Iowa and Texas, according to foodmarket.com. The virus has been detected in commercial operations in both states, and the discovery’s coming at a time when producers are working to keep disease pressure down heading into the warmer months. Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig told Successful Farming the detection there is contained and poses no human health risk, but the confirmation in two major pork-producing regions is drawing attention from veterinarians and state animal health officials across the heartland.
Shifting to research on a different disease threat — scientists at Bioengineer.org are reporting new findings on how African swine fever virus actually works at the cellular level. Researchers have identified that the virus targets a protein called p300 for degradation, essentially disarming a key immune response mechanism in infected animals. The discovery could eventually help inform vaccine and treatment development, though that’s still down the road.
On the poultry side, Penn State Extension has launched a free online course aimed at strengthening communication skills for Spanish-speaking poultry workers, as reported by Franklin County Free Press. The program’s designed to help workers understand safety protocols, animal welfare standards, and best practices on the farm — with instruction delivered in Spanish. It’s one response to the reality that language barriers can sometimes complicate training and protocol compliance on poultry operations.
Also on poultry, the Centers for Disease Control is tracking at least 34 people sickened with drug-resistant salmonella infections linked to backyard poultry, according to WWBT. The cases span multiple states, and the strain involved is resistant to several commonly used antibiotics. Health officials are urging backyard flock owners to practice strict hygiene around their birds and take precautions when handling eggs or live birds.
Finally this morning — feed cost pressures and rising tax bills are pushing poultry farmers to shut down operations, The Business Standard is reporting. Producers across the country are making the hard call to close sheds as input costs climb faster than commodity prices can keep up. It’s a trend that’s hitting smaller and mid-sized operations particularly hard right now.
Stay on top of your biosecurity protocols — it’s a critical time of year.