As October’s National Pork Month wrapped up, the emphasis on biosecurity continues into November and beyond, underscoring the daily commitment required to safeguard the U.S. pork supply. Effective biosecurity protocols are essential not just in October, but year-round, ensuring the health of animals, food safety, environmental protection, and economic stability.
Throughout October, the University of Missouri (MU) Extension’s Swine Team collaborated with industry partners to strengthen biosecurity awareness among pork producers and workers. Magdiel Lopez, MU Extension’s state swine specialist, led a training session for 40 employees from four farms, emphasizing the science behind biosecurity protocols. Sessions were offered in both English and Spanish, allowing all employees to understand the “why” behind practices that prevent the spread of PRRS (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome) and other pathogens.
“We reviewed procedures and best practices in all aspects of biosecurity,” Lopez explained, focusing on critical topics like wildlife management, visitor protocols, transportation of feed and animals, and the latest technologies for disease prevention. Each session reinforced why adhering to these practices is essential for the industry.
MU Extension veterinarian Cory Bromfield, in collaboration with agricultural engineer Teng Lim, has been conducting biosecurity workshops across Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas. Supported by a National Pork Board grant, these workshops extend biosecurity training with the MU Extension biosecurity trailer, which demonstrates effective Danish entry techniques to maintain barn hygiene.
The workshops also cover Secure Pork Supply Plans and include presentations from local agriculture and natural resources departments, guiding producers on regulatory expectations and disease prevention strategies. According to Bromfield, “Producers will leave the workshops with a working understanding of how to minimize disease outbreaks on the farm, the regulatory responses to foreign animal disease incursions, and how to prepare for potential disasters.”
By reflecting on October’s activities and carrying this momentum into November, the industry continues to fortify its biosecurity measures, reinforcing the importance of these protocols well beyond National Pork Month.
