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National Swine Health Strategy enters phase two to improve U.S. herd health

The pork industry is continuing take steps to improve the health of the U.S. swine herd.  

Al Wulfekuhle, a producer from Iowa and past president of the National Pork Board, says recent data shows there’s plenty of work to do. “Honestly, it’s getting worse, not better when we look at mortality rates and pig health.”

He says the National Swine Health Strategy is entering its second phase after gathering feedback last year. “It was like we hit a nerve. It gave permission from producers all over the U.S. to talk about what was really going on in their operation. Because a lot of us out there are thinking is it just me? And, then all of the producers are opening up. It’s an emotional thing, right? When pigs die and disease hit, it’s not just financial it’s emotional.”

The strategy’s goal is to reduce the impact of domestic diseases and prevent a foreign outbreak in the U.S.  

Wulfekuhle tells Brownfield he’s optimistic the plan will gain broad industry support, but producers will have to lead the effort. “Nobody really understands what it takes to make changes in an operation. If you’re looking from the outside in and it looks like “oh, you can do that,” but as a producer they have the spend the dollars and make changes. It’s not always easy.”

Delegates at the National Pork Industry Forum approved the plan and the next steps include establishing an advisory board, developing tactics and delivering results.

Al Wulfekuhle: