BioSec Bob here on Thursday, April 16, 2026 — let’s get right into it.
A critical poultry state’s reported its first highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak of the year. Meatingplace is reporting that HPAI has been confirmed, marking the start of what could be an active season for the disease. The timing puts producers on alert as spring migration patterns bring wild bird traffic through major production regions. Flocks in affected areas are already under close surveillance, and integrators are reviewing containment protocols.
On the vaccine development side, WATTPoultry.com is reporting on a rotational approach to poultry disease control that’s resetting how producers think about immunity management. Rather than relying on a single vaccine strategy, the method cycles through different vaccine types to prevent resistance buildup and maintain broader flock protection. Early adoption suggests this could extend the effective lifespan of existing vaccine programs and reduce dependency on emergency vaccination pushes when outbreaks hit.
Moving to swine disease intelligence — National Hog Farmer is highlighting new research on African swine fever transmission that zeros in on wild boar habitat management. The findings show that proximity to wild boar populations and their movement corridors significantly increases ASF risk to domestic herds, particularly in regions where habitat overlap occurs. Producers operating near wild boar ranges are being advised to evaluate their perimeter biosecurity with this data in mind.
Pork Business is flagging a broader global concern: foot-and-mouth disease serotype SAT1 continues expanding its geographic footprint. The serotype’s spread across new regions is complicating trade negotiations and heightening import scrutiny for US pork. Producers without direct export exposure should still monitor this — trade restrictions in other countries often create market volatility that ripples back home.
On the technology front, Sask Pork and Farm Health Guardian are rolling out digital biosecurity tools specifically designed for hog transport. The Western Producer and National Hog Farmer both report the same initiative — it’s a platform designed to track and document transport vehicle sanitation, driver protocols, and load-in procedures in real time. Saskatchewan operators get first access, but the model’s drawing interest from producers across the continent looking to tighten transport-related disease entry points.
Stay on top of your flock and herd health protocols — it’s shaping up to be an active spring.