BioSec Bob here on Thursday, October 1, 2026 — let’s get right into it.
National Hog Farmer is reporting that swine producers need to tighten up herd management now as fall respiratory disease season approaches. Cold weather and reduced ventilation create the perfect setup for respiratory infections to spread through barns. Producers should review vaccination protocols, ensure adequate air quality without drafts, monitor feed and water intake closely, and keep stress on animals to a minimum heading into the months when these diseases typically peak. Respiratory issues can tank feed efficiency and daily gains, so the prep work done right now pays off.
Shifting north, Minnesota’s poultry flocks are getting hit hard. Agweek reports that Minnesota is leading the nation in avian flu detections as the virus has returned to turkey operations. The state’s been recording more cases than any other in the country, and producers are dealing with the reality that this isn’t going away. The timing of fall migration and cooler temperatures is driving new infections, and turkey farmers are bracing for what could be a tough season ahead.
On the vaccine front, the AG Information Network of the West is breaking down the science behind what’s being called “turkey herpes” — a vaccine strategy being used in poultry to protect against certain viral threats. The approach represents a shift in how producers can manage disease pressure through vaccination protocols, though the specifics of deployment and effectiveness are still being refined as the technology rolls out in commercial operations.
Backyard poultry has created a public health headache. Medical Daily reports that a nationwide salmonella outbreak linked to backyard bird flocks has now reached 1,253 illnesses — the second largest outbreak on record from this source. What’s particularly concerning is that some cases involved drug-resistant strains, complicating treatment. The outbreak underscores the disease transmission risk when birds move between properties and when biosecurity breaks down at smaller operations.
On the detection side, there’s some good news. Feedstuffs reports that Hygiena has released a new PCR assay designed to detect salmonella across poultry, beef, and pork production chains. The faster, more accurate testing method gives producers and processors better real-time visibility into contamination risk, which should help tighten food safety protocols across multiple livestock sectors.
Wrapping the swine side, The Pig Site is examining how commercial operations balance disease resilience with genetic and management resistance strategies. On modern farms, both matter — breeding for tougher animals while also building operational systems that prevent disease from taking hold in the first place. It’s not one or the other; it’s doing both well.
Keep your eye on those respiratory trends — this is peak season now.