BioSec Bob here on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 — let’s get straight to it.
Health officials in Michigan are urging fair visitors to watch for symptoms after swine flu was detected among pigs at the Kent County Youth Fair. Fox 17 Online is reporting that anyone who had contact with the animals should monitor themselves for illness. The fair had already taken steps to limit exposure, but the discovery underscores how quickly disease can spread through exhibition environments where animals from multiple operations and regions come together.
Moving to the technology side of swine health, a University of Missouri researcher has landed a USDA grant to expand the HotHog app, according to KMZU. The application helps producers track and manage heat stress in their herds — a tool that’s become increasingly critical as summer temperatures climb. The expanded funding will allow the research team to enhance the app’s features and make it available to more operations across the country.
Up in Minnesota, the University of Minnesota’s College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences has released new survey data on small-scale swine farms. National Hog Farmer is reporting that the CAHFS research gives a clearer picture of how smaller operations are managing production, herd health, and market access. The study fills a gap in industry data, since much of the focus typically lands on larger commercial producers.
Across the northern border, Canadian pork producers are tightening their biosecurity posture to prevent African swine fever from entering the country. The Western Producer reports that industry groups are working with government agencies on enhanced monitoring and protocols at the farm level. Canada remains ASF-free, but with cases active in nearby regions, the urgency is real.
Back stateside, Ohio is getting a consumer education push on modern pork production this week at the state fair. Brownfield Ag News reports that producers are on hand to show visitors how contemporary farms operate — a direct-to-consumer conversation that doesn’t happen often enough.
Finally, Hungary has confirmed a second case of African swine fever in domestic pigs, according to The Pig Site. That’s two confirmed detections in the country’s commercial herd, signaling that ASF remains a persistent threat even in established farming regions. European producers continue dealing with the disease pressure, while U.S. and Canadian operations stay vigilant at their borders.
Keep your disease protocols sharp — it’s a busy season for biosecurity.