Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) hosted a four-day African swine fever (ASF) exercise with state animal health officials, producers and other industry stakeholders. The drill simulated various outbreak scenarios as those attending worked through response protocols spanning disease investigations, a confirmed outbreak, depopulation and disposal, control zones and permitting processes. National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) Chief Veterinarian Liz …
Study Confirms ASF Survives in Animal Feed
(NAFB) — Researchers at Kansas State University say African swine fever (ASF) can survive in feed grains, prompting greater concerns of the disease spreading. The research confirms the virus can survive a simulated 30-day transoceanic voyage in contaminated plant-based feed and ingredients. Detailed analysis shows the half-life of African swine fever in feed ranges from 9.6 to 14.2 days after …
Chinese Demand Pushing Meat Prices Higher
(NAFB) — China has recently been buying a lot of meat. The Wall Street Journal says their recent purchases are pushing up the prices of beef, pork, and poultry around the globe. Meat buyers are increasing their activity after African Swine Fever hit the country hard and reduced the size of the world’s largest pig herd by more than a …
African Swine Fever Now In North Korea
North Korea is now on the list of Asian countries infected by African Swine Fever. The industry website Meating Place Dot Com says the country’s ministry of agriculture confirmed the first outbreak took place on May 23. The World Organization for Animal Health says the outbreak resulted in 77 pigs dying from the disease, while another 22 pigs were culled …
African Swine Fever Discussed at USMEF Spring Conference
Last week, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) held its Spring Conference and Board of Directors Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri. During the event, a panel discussion on the global trade impact of African swine fever (ASF) took place. Joe Schuele has more details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board …
ASF Vaccine is Eight Years Away
USDA Under Secretary Greg Ibach says scientists have pegged an effective vaccine for the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus is at least eight years away. The Fence Post Dot Com says he made the announcement during a hearing in front of the House Agriculture Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee hearing on animal pest disease prevention and response capabilities. Ibach says …
USDA Enhances African Swine Fever Surveillance Efforts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is furthering its overall African Swine Fever (ASF) preparedness efforts with the implementation of a surveillance plan. As part of this plan, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will work with the swine industry, the states, and veterinary diagnostic laboratories to test for ASF. ASF is a highly contagious and deadly disease …
Hog Producers Should Be on High Alert for Signs of ASF
As African Swine Fever (ASF) spreads through Asia and Eastern Europe, Gary Crawford reports U.S. hog producers are being urged to boost biosecurity measures and watch their herds closely for signs of sickness. USDA Chief Veterinarian Dr. Jack Shere lists some of the symptoms pigs can show when infected with ASF. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker …
USDA Provides Information for Producers and Veterinarians to Help Guard Against ASF
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Jack Shere is reminding pig producers and veterinarians of the signs and symptoms of a deadly swine disease that could dramatically impact the U.S. pig population. African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious foreign animal disease that affects both domestic and feral (wild) pigs. It does not affect human …
USDA Continues to Prevent African Swine Fever from Entering the U.S.
Provides New Resources to Raise Awareness of the Deadly Disease Last week, USDA-trained detector dogs played a major role in the seizure of roughly 1 million pounds of pork smuggled from China where there is an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF). The highly contagious and deadly disease affects both domestic and feral (wild) pigs and there is no treatment or vaccine …