BioSec Bob here on Monday, September 7, 2026 — let’s get right into it.
Starting with poultry feed innovation this morning. Poultry News is reporting that researchers have developed methods to make layer and broiler diets more sustainable without sacrificing bird performance or meat and egg quality. The work focuses on alternative protein sources and feed efficiency strategies that reduce environmental impact while maintaining the nutritional standards producers depend on. The details are still emerging, but the takeaway for operations running tight margins is that sustainability and performance don’t have to work against each other on the feed side.
Turning to disease control in the Pacific region now. The Philippines has approved a Vietnamese African swine fever vaccine for sale, according to agnavigator.com, marking a significant step in helping producers rebuild swine herds that have been devastated by ASF outbreaks. The approval opens a new tool for Philippine operations looking to recover from years of production losses tied to the disease.
Over in Panama, pig333 reports that the country is strengthening its epidemiological surveillance network for animal health monitoring. The effort includes enhanced disease tracking systems and closer coordination among veterinary authorities to catch emerging threats earlier. For producers in Central America and beyond, stronger surveillance infrastructure in a key region can help contain disease spread before it crosses borders.
Shifting to a different kind of growth story — and this one’s been years in the making. Yahoo is reporting that researchers have determined America’s broilers have grown roughly four times larger since 1957, but it wasn’t due to hormone use. The growth came through selective breeding, feed quality improvements, and genetic selection over decades. That’s a reminder that the birds on your farm today are the result of sustained genetic and nutritional progress, not shortcuts.
On the swine production side in Europe this morning, foodagribusiness.world notes that Germany has lost approximately 700 pig farms over recent years even as total herd numbers have continued to climb. That consolidation pattern — fewer farms raising more animals — reflects the structural shifts happening in major producing regions. Smaller operations are exiting while larger ones expand capacity.
Finally, out of the Philippines, the Manila Standard is reporting that a provincial official in Abra is pushing for government subsidies to help small-scale hog farmers access ASF vaccines. The request underscores the cost barriers small producers face in protecting their herds in regions where ASF remains a constant threat.
Keep an eye on your feed costs this week — lot of moving parts out there.