BioSec Bob here on Saturday, April 18, 2026 — let’s get right into it.
Researchers at Iowa State are putting artificial intelligence to work on swine disease detection. The team is developing AI tools designed to identify disease in pigs earlier than traditional methods allow, focusing on respiratory and digestive illnesses that cost producers millions annually. The system analyzes visual and behavioral data from the barn to flag sick animals before clinical signs become obvious. Iowa State says the technology could help operations catch problems at the onset and reduce treatment costs and mortality.
Now, a critical distinction poultry and swine producers need to keep straight — Pork Business is reporting that foot-and-mouth disease and Senecavirus A present very different threats, and misidentifying which one you’re dealing with could be costly. The two diseases show similar early symptoms in swine, but FMD is a foreign animal disease that would trigger federal quarantine and market restrictions, while Senecavirus A, though serious, doesn’t carry the same regulatory impact. Rapid diagnostic confirmation matters tremendously because the response protocol — herd management, reporting requirements, and market access — hinges entirely on which pathogen you’re actually fighting.
Over at the Iowa Pork Industry Center, resources on heat stress management have just been published and made available to producers. With summer months ahead, the center is laying out strategies for cooling systems, ventilation adjustments, feed timing, and water management to keep performance steady when temperatures climb. The materials are tailored to Iowa’s climate conditions but applicable across similar production zones.
Shifting to poultry — a significant loss in Delaware this week. WBOC TV is reporting that two full chicken houses in Harrington, Delaware were destroyed in a fire. The facilities were occupied at the time, meaning a substantial bird inventory was lost. Fire crews responded but were unable to save the structures or their contents. Investigations into the cause are underway.
The USDA has released updated information addressing myths around African Swine Fever, particularly circulating claims about how the disease spreads and survives. The agency is clarifying what producers should actually know about ASF transmission routes, environmental persistence, and biosecurity gaps that matter most. Accurate information is essential because misinformation can lead producers to focus resources on lower-risk vectors while overlooking real exposure points.
Finally, up north, the Prairie Swine Centre at the University of Saskatchewan is marking 35 years of research and innovation in swine production. Education News Canada reports the center has been a driver of productivity improvements, disease management breakthroughs, and breeding advancement across North American swine operations. The milestone reflects decades of applied research supporting commercial producers across the continent.
Keep those diagnostic protocols sharp and your cooling systems ready.