BioSec Bob here on Saturday, September 19, 2026 — let’s get right into it.
We’re tracking H5N1 again this morning, and Vet Candy is reporting the virus has been confirmed in a backyard poultry outbreak, and critically, the strain has now jumped to non-poultry species on the same property. That crossover — from birds to other animals — is exactly the kind of spillover event biosecurity officials monitor closely. It’s a reminder that containment starts at the coop, but the virus doesn’t stop there once it establishes itself on a farm.
Out West, Montana’s dealing with its own bird flu situation. NBC Montana is reporting H5N1 confirmed in a chicken flock in Ravalli County. State animal health officials are working the response, and testing continues on affected birds. That’s the second poultry detection we’re tracking this morning.
Shifting to the swine side, there’s movement on the export front. National Hog Farmer reports Canada just committed $3.8 million to boost pork shipments into Asia, the European Union, and the Americas. The funding targets market development and promotional efforts to expand Canadian pork’s footprint in those regions. It’s a competitive reminder of where global supply chains are headed.
On disease monitoring, 3TRES3 is reporting African Swine Fever has expanded in Finland. Authorities there have established an additional restricted zone to contain the outbreak. That’s the kind of European disease pressure producers keep an eye on, given how quickly ASF moves once it takes hold.
Down in New Mexico, there’s regulatory progress worth noting. The USDA announced New Mexico has officially entered the State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program, meaning the state now runs its own inspection operations under federal oversight rather than relying entirely on USDA staff. It streamlines approval for processors looking to sell meat across state lines from New Mexico facilities.
Finally, on farm management, Pork Business reports Annie Lerner from Schwartz Farms will keynote Kansas State’s Swine Day this year, speaking on on-farm technology adoption. That’s the kind of peer-to-peer learning that tends to move the needle when it comes to operational efficiency.
Keep those biosecurity protocols sharp — plenty of moving pieces out there.