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Swine biosecurity clinic offered for junior exhibitors at IL State Fair

Junior swine exhibitors will be educated on biosecurity and foreign animal diseases at the 2019 Illinois State Fair.

Jenny Jackson with the Illinois Pork Producers Association says they are teaming up with Ohio State University to offer a free clinic called “Becoming a Swientist.”

“Now, more importantly than ever, it is vile that we have good biosecurity measures in place and we think it’s really important to get into the show ring and explain that to these kids as well because no matter your size, big or small, biosecurity affects you.”

Jackson says biosecurity is just as important for youth with a couple of show pigs as it is for a large commercial operation.

“Because at the end of the day, we all have pigs and they’re all going into the food chain. So, we need to do our best to be a team, keep our country clean and keep all of these foreign animal diseases out.”

The clinic includes multiple hands-on learning stations and a panel of pork professionals. Attendees will be given a bucket filled with biosecurity essentials to practice the skills they learn at home.

The clinic is funded by Ohio State University and the Pork Checkoff.