What Does Biosecurity on Pork Operations Look Like to You?

Feb 03, 2025

The only cure at this time for African swine fever (ASF), a deadly virus that affects swine, is prevention. USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) is looking for entries in its ASF “I Protect Pigs” photo contest.

This contest promotes the importance of good biosecurity behaviors by encouraging the public to submit a photo of owner/pig safety practices in action. Entries will be accepted until midnight on Feb. 14.

Winners will be featured on APHIS’ site and social media channels to help promote the important role biosecurity plays in foreign animal disease prevention.

Here are a few picture-perfect ways to safeguard America’s swine:
• Limiting on-farm traffic
• Wearing clean clothes and shoes around pigs
• Washing on-farm equipment and vehicles
• Preventing contact with feral pigs
• Storing feed where wildlife can’t get it
• NOT eating ‘people-food’ near animals

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Video: Assessing Welfare Resources During Late Finish - Dr. Anna Johnson & Emma Coursey

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Anna Johnson from Iowa State University and Emma Coursey from the University of Illinois discuss research evaluating welfare resources during the late finishing stage on commercial swine farms. They explain how feeder management, water use, space allocation, and pig health influence welfare outcomes and practical on-farm management. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Small resource issues can become larger welfare problems when multiple stressors interact across finishing barns."

Meet the guests: Dr. Anna Johnson / anna-johnson-05028a14 is the Morrill Professor of Animal Behavior and Welfare at Iowa State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from Texas Tech University and completed her master's degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the University of Edinburgh. Her research focuses on practical solutions that improve farm animal welfare, including sow productive lifetime, animal-human interaction, environmental enrichment, and Precision Livestock Farming.

Emma Coursey / emma-coursey-183810241 is pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine after earning a bachelor's degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University. Her academic interests include swine health, production, and animal welfare, with research experience evaluating welfare resources in commercial finishing pigs.