BioSec Bob here on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 — let’s get into it.
We’re starting on the swine side with preparedness. TheLandOnline is reporting that pig farms of any size need to have their emergency protocols locked in now. The message is straightforward: whether you’re running fifty head or fifty thousand, having a solid action plan isn’t optional anymore. Disease response, biosecurity reinforcement, staff training — operations that drill these systems regularly are the ones that’ll weather a crisis. Small farms often think preparedness is only for the big players, but that’s not how disease works.
Over at the feed mill, pork producers are weighing in on an FDA review of a food additive, according to National Hog Farmer. The agency is taking another look at what’s going into the feed supply, and producers are making their voices heard during the comment period. This is one where the details matter — what additive, what concerns, what timeline the FDA’s working on. Producers who want a seat at that table need to be engaged now while the review’s still open.
Shifting to disease tools — Vermont Business Magazine is reporting on a new resource designed to bolster livestock and poultry disease prevention. There’s a fresh tool in the kit for producers looking to strengthen their defense systems. The outlet didn’t detail exactly what this tool is, but the timing’s worth noting given what’s been rattling the industry lately.
On African Swine Fever specifically, ETV Bharat interviewed a veterinarian who said an ASF vaccine could hit the market in six months. That’s a significant development if the timeline holds. A working vaccine would be a game-changer for swine operations, though producers will want to watch how efficacy, availability, and approval process actually shake out once we’re closer to that window.
Out of Estonia, Baltic News Network is reporting that farmers there are using drones to protect pig farms from African Swine Fever. The operation involves aerial monitoring to detect and respond to disease threats before they spread across property lines. It’s an interesting proof-of-concept for how technology can tighten the perimeter — whether something like that scales to U.S. operations remains an open question.
On the poultry side, Brownfield Ag News says a larger laying hen supply is pushing egg production gains. More birds in the system means more eggs flowing to market. Supply’s responding to demand right now, and that dynamic’s worth watching as producers plan their own flock decisions.
Keep your biosecurity playbook close — never know when you’ll need it.