BioSec Bob here on Saturday, July 11, 2026 — let’s dive straight into the week’s swine and poultry briefing.
Starting with disease surveillance: Pork Business is reporting that new strains have emerged in the latest swine disease report for July. The specifics on which pathogens and which regions are being hit hardest aren’t detailed in the report we’re seeing, but producers should expect updated guidance from their veterinarians and herd health consultants as the strain data gets fully characterized and distributed through standard monitoring channels.
On the policy side, the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network is covering producer-led momentum on the National Swine Health Strategy. A new advisory committee composed of hog producers is being formed to help advance and shape that strategy going forward. It’s a direct line from the production floor to the decision-making table, which is how these health initiatives work best when they’ve got buy-in and real-world experience built in from the start.
Shifting to the broader policy landscape, National Hog Farmer is flagging three separate pressures bearing down on hog policy right now: labor availability, ongoing trade dynamics, and the screwworm threat. Those aren’t independent problems — they’re all feeding into how lawmakers and industry associations are thinking about next steps on regulation and trade agreements. Labor shortages affect processing capacity. Trade rules affect market access. And screwworm, which we’ll get to in a moment, is reshaping biosecurity and import policy in real time.
Speaking of screwworm, The Oklahoman is reporting on feral hogs in Oklahoma and their potential role in spreading New World screwworm across the state. Feral populations are harder to monitor and control than commercial herds, and they can harbor and transmit parasites without the management oversight that domestic operations have. That spillover risk from wild populations into commercial swine operations is a genuine concern for producers in Oklahoma and neighboring states.
Out of Europe, The Pig Site reports that Serbia has culled 11,000 pigs following an African swine fever outbreak on a western farm. ASF remains one of the most consequential swine diseases globally, and any outbreak triggers rapid depopulation to contain spread. That’s a significant loss for one operation and a reminder of how fast ASF can move through a herd.
Finally, 3tres3.com is reporting on a joint declaration from health authorities across the Americas reaffirming their commitment to the One Health approach — the idea that human health, animal health, and environmental health are interconnected and require coordinated response. That framework is becoming central to how disease prevention and response strategies are being built across the hemisphere.
Keep a close eye on your veterinary reports — plenty of moving pieces this week.