The health of the U.S. swine herd is critical to every pork producer’s livelihood and the industry’s future. Producers face both everyday endemic diseases and the looming threat of foreign animal diseases (FADs) that could devastate their operations.
The National Pork Board is working with key industry partners, including the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and state pork associations, to develop a comprehensive National Swine Health Strategy.
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The National Swine Health Strategy is a producer-led initiative to improve the health of the U.S. swine herd. Together we can navigate the road to a healthier herd, with shared responsibility and shared success.
In recent months, the team developed a tactical work plan aligned to each priority. The plan focuses on two goals: reducing the impact of domestic diseases and keeping foreign and emerging diseases out of the U.S. swine herd. The work plan was approved by the Board of Directors and shared with delegates at the 2026 Pork Industry Forum.
First Steps:
First Steps:
First Steps:
First Steps:
First Steps:
NPB is committed to achieving a measurably healthier swine herd that improves the lives of pigs and people. The feedback we’ve collected is guiding the design of a cohesive framework that directly addresses today’s most pressing swine health challenges and ensures research and programs translate into action.
Read more below about the progress in building the National Swine Health Strategy.
This collaborative, producer-led initiative is grounded in discussions with stakeholder organizations, a renewed focus on African Swine Fever (ASF) priorities and Pork Act Delegates approving an advisement at the 2025 Pork Industry Forum to develop a National Swine Health Strategy.
To develop the strategy, NPB connected with producers to identify the most significant swine health challenges. From June–September 2025, input was collected from producers, veterinarians and other allied industry stakeholders through surveys, one-on-one conversations, listening sessions at industry events and state pork association outreach.
An advisory group, including producer leaders, state pork association executives, NPB and NPPC CEOs and staff veterinarians took the following steps.
The advisory group identified two primary goals, each supported by priorities:
The National Swine Health Strategy is informed by producers, for producers. This is just the beginning of our work to address the industry’s most pressing swine health challenges. Together, we’re laying the foundation for a healthier herd and a more resilient future for U.S. pork.
The outcomes of the National Swine Health Strategy will:
Foster collaborative efforts across organizations
Guide future swine health initiatives
Ensure Pork Checkoff funds are invested in producers’ top priorities
For questions about the National Swine Health Strategy, reach the NPB swine health team directly at [email protected].
“The National Swine Health Strategy is informed by producers, for producers. This is just the beginning as we work to tackle some of the industry’s most pressing health challenges. Together, we’re laying the foundation for a healthier herd and a more resilient future for U.S. pork.”
Dr. Dusty Oedekoven, NPB Chief Veterinarian
In 2024, 98% of producers who completed NPB’s producer survey stated that herd health is essential to the future success of the industry. This feedback informs NPB’s three-year strategic plan, which aims to improve the lives of pigs and people while achieving a measurably healthier swine herd.
The advisory group, made up of producer leaders who developed a strategy based on a robust set of producer insights with outcomes that will:
Following USDA APHIS confirmation of PRV in Iowa and Texas, the risk remains low and is linked to feral swine exposure. Still, this is a good reminder of why the National Swine Health Strategy matters on every operation.
NPB has been working with key industry partners to develop a comprehensive National Swine Health Strategy that will protect and strengthen the U.S. swine herd. In recent months, the team developed a work plan aligned with the strategy’s priorities, which was approved by the Board of Directors and shared with delegates.
Several improvements were made to the Secure Pork Supply (SPS) Plan, which provides on-farm preparedness before a foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreak.
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