BioSec Bob here on Thursday, July 16, 2026 — let’s get right into it.
Starting on the swine side with some vaccine news out of the research world. National Hog Farmer is reporting that researchers have completed the first study to evaluate a prescribed porcine sapovirus vaccine. Sapovirus causes diarrhea in piglets and has been a persistent problem in herds across the country. The study looked at how the vaccine performs under real farm conditions — not just in a lab setting. This marks a significant step forward for producers dealing with the virus, since treatment options have been limited.
Over to poultry management now. Lancaster Farming has a piece on radiant heater maintenance that’s worth your attention if you’re running broiler or breeder houses. The story focuses on keeping those heaters clean as a critical part of bird health protocols. Buildup on heater surfaces reduces efficiency and creates uneven heat distribution in the house, which stresses birds and creates conditions where disease can take hold. Regular cleaning extends heater life too, so it’s not just about animal welfare — it’s economics.
Back to hogs. National Hog Farmer reports that the National Pork Producers Council is backing a new FAA rule that would restrict drone operations near hog farms. The rule came in response to privacy concerns and biosecurity risks. The NPPC sees the restriction as necessary protection against unauthorized surveillance and potential disease introduction. The FAA is moving forward with the regulation, and producers should expect to see it implemented in the coming months.
Shifting to international disease watch. According to 3tres3.com, Kenya has issued an African swine fever alert after a suspected outbreak was detected in Kakamega. Kenyan authorities are investigating the source and implementing containment measures. Kenya’s hog industry is smaller than major US operations, but ASF has shown it crosses borders quickly. The region is being monitored closely by international disease tracking networks.
One more from overseas. The Philippine News Agency reports that Zamboanga City is investigating a die-off affecting 234 hogs across seven villages. Local officials are working to determine the cause — whether it’s disease, feed contamination, or environmental factors. Testing is underway to rule out reportable diseases including ASF.
On the poultry production side, Brownfield Ag News is reporting that broiler chick sets and placements came in above year-ago levels. That’s solid demand data. Producers are expanding capacity against last year’s numbers, which suggests confidence in market conditions heading into the fall.
Keep your eye on that vaccine data — it could reshape how you manage sapovirus going forward.