BioSec Bob here on Sunday, June 7, 2026 — let’s dig into what’s moving the needle for you this week.
Starting on the disease front, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is stepping up its game against New World screwworm, according to reporting from pig333. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has launched an enhanced surveillance program and is working with border states to keep this livestock pest from establishing a foothold in American herds. Screwworm infestations can be devastating to swine operations, causing severe wounds and production losses if left unchecked. The agency is coordinating with veterinarians and producers to identify any cases early and respond quickly.
Over on the nutrition side, Alltech has introduced Olerix, a new feed additive designed to boost swine performance, according to High Plains Journal. The product targets digestive efficiency and is meant to help producers squeeze better gains and feed conversion out of their herds. Details on pricing and availability are still rolling out, but Alltech’s positioning it as part of their broader suite of performance tools.
Moving to poultry, WATTPoultry.com is reporting additional HPAI detections in Indiana duck flocks. More birds are testing positive, adding to the case count in the state and keeping waterfowl producers on alert. Indiana’s had a rough go with avian influenza this season, and these new confirmations mean continued biosecurity pressure for anyone running ducks in that area.
Back to swine health, a NOVUS veterinarian speaking with Brownfield Ag News emphasized that viral mitigation in the nursery remains the critical battleground for pig health right now. Managing PRRS, PED, and other viral pressures early in the pig’s life sets the foundation for the rest of the production cycle. It’s basic blocking and tackling, but it’s easy to let protocols slip when you’re running hard.
Research cited by Brownfield Ag News has found a direct link between PRRS infection and the development of gastric ulcers in pigs. The connection suggests that PRRS-positive herds may be dealing with secondary gut health complications beyond the respiratory and reproductive impacts they already know about. That adds another reason to keep PRRS off your farm if you can.
On the international beat, Feed Strategy is reporting that Hungary has confirmed its first African swine fever outbreak on a commercial farm. That’s a sharp reminder that ASF remains a global threat and that trade and import protocols matter more than ever for U.S. producers and packers.
Keep your eye on your biosecurity checklist this week — disease pressure isn’t letting up.