As a parent of five kids, ages nine to 21, our family constantly goes in different directions. Wrestling practice, dance, cross-country and track, cheer, baseball, school, part-time jobs — it’s almost like my wife and I work as air traffic controllers. We’re constantly sharing current locations, the next destination and important instructions for transport.
As pig farmers, we – and our pigs – consistently move too, with an estimated 1 million movements each day nationwide.1. That number doesn’t include trucks transporting feed, semen or supplies.
Our industry is inducive to movement, being as simple as farm-to-farm transport or as detailed as shipping animals across state lines or country borders to be finished, harvested or shown in a youth exhibition.
The mobile nature of the U.S. swine industry was born out of efficiency, but it also creates significant opportunities for spreading pathogens. Authors of research papers, like this one on African Swine Fever (ASF), agree — a plan is needed for effective mitigation strategies to reduce the risk of disease spread.
Movement Matters for Effective ASF Response
In case of a foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreak, State Animal Health Officials (SAHO) must work quickly to determine where the disease is, or more importantly where the disease is not. Their findings at that time will inform where trade and commerce can resume.
The National Pork Board has invested in a solution that will make disease traceback and pig movement data available to USDA and state animal health officials on day one of a potential FAD.
AgView is a pig-contact-tracing platform for all pork producers that is 100% funded by Pork Checkoff dollars. Producers can download the app and opt in to provide disease status updates and pig movement data to state and animal health officials. The goal is to promote business continuity in case of an FAD concern.
The ability for opt-in movement in AgView could have tremendous application for pork producers using swine production health plans to move pigs across state lines for production. Sharing pig movements in AgView could serve the purpose of delivering the required interstate swine movement report in real time.
Continual Improvement to Support Producers
Voluntary data-sharing features in AgView allow producers to share location and movement information with SAHOs in real time. This will help keep information up to date at the state level about the site owner, pig owner and related contact information for each premises, including:
- Premises
- Movement data
- Secure Pork Supply documentation
- Lab results
Did You Know?
Current AgView users can oblige to the Opt-in Data Sharing in the Details tab of their AgView Accounts.
AgView is a solution for state veterinarians to use in a FAD to track swine movement and determine the extent of the outbreak. This Checkoff-funded tool is a trusted resource producers can take responsibility for – and with opt-in data sharing – it’s convenient to make sure updated movement is available to the decision makers in the moment they need it.
The ability for opt-in movement in AgView could have tremendous application for pork producers using swine production health plans to move pigs across state lines for production. Sharing pig movements in AgView could serve the purpose of delivering the required interstate swine movement report in real time.”
Dr. Patrick Webb, NPB Assistant Chief Veterinarian
Setting Up an Agview Account Is Easy
All pork producers are able to create a free AgView account online. Producers can request assistance with their AgView account by calling 800-767-5675 or sending an email to [email protected].
Sources:
The National Pork Board has responsibility for Pork Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in consumer education and marketing, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, science and technology, swine health, pork safety, and environmental management and sustainability. For the past half century, the U.S. pork industry has delivered on its commitment to sustainable production and has made significant strides in reducing the environmental impact of pig farming. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.35 for each $100 value of hogs sold. Importers of pork products contribute a like amount, based on a formula. For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675 or visit porkcheckoff.org.
