The Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University, with the help of ISU Extension swine specialists, offers a workshop on biosecurity and health management for producers, employees, veterinarians and industry partners during an animal disease outbreak.

The recent spread of African swine fever in China has elevated the importance of using biosecurity measures in reducing the risk of a domestic or a foreign animal disease entering farms in the United States.

The free workshop is titled “Biosecurity Best Practices for Pork Producers” and uses a variety of methods to help attendees develop biosecurity practices. Case studies, demonstrations and presentations will guide participants in prioritizing the highest-ranking risk events for their own hog operations, with a focus on employee entry, traffic patterns, bench entries and other measures.

Workshop series planned across Iowa
The program is delivered by the swine specialist team of ISU Extension professionals in collaboration with Dr. Derald Holtkamp of ISU’s department of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine.

Session topics include diseases of concern, carrying agents, risk events, intervention strategies, farm risk prioritization, and creation of a biosecurity culture and a secure pork supply. The workshop agenda includes roundtable discussions and a demonstration of how disease may pass a clean-dirty line.

Preregistration is strongly encouraged. For more information or to preregister, contact the specialist listed by the location you wish to attend. Dates and locations of the swine biosecurity meetings are:

• Nov. 29, Cedar Rapids, from 2 to 4 p.m., Kirkwood Community College, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Horticulture Building. Contact Colin Johnson, [email protected], 515-291-9287.

• Dec. 5, Manchester, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Delaware County Extension office, 1417 N. Franklin St. Contact Mark Storlie, [email protected], 563-425-3331.

• Dec. 6, Harlan, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Shelby County Extension office, 906 Sixth St. Contact Dave Stender, [email protected], 712-261-0225.

• Dec. 7, Orange City, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Sioux County Extension office, 400 N. Central Ave. Contact Dave Stender, [email protected], 712-261-0225.

• Dec. 7, Cherokee, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Cherokee County Extension office, 209 Centennial Drive. Contact Dave Stender, [email protected], 712-261-0225.

• Dec. 10, Emmetsburg, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Iowa Lakes Community College, 3200 College Drive, Technology Building. Contact Dave Stender, [email protected], 712-261-0225.

• Dec. 11, Nashua, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Borlaug Learning Center, 3327 290th St. Contact Russ Euken, [email protected], 641-231-1711.

• Dec. 11, Washington, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Washington County Extension office, 2223 250th St. Contact Tom Miller, [email protected], 319-931-3781.

• Dec. 18, Oskaloosa, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Mahaska County Extension office, 212 N. I St. Contact Colin Johnson, [email protected], 515-291-9287.

The programs are sponsored by ISU Extension, Iowa Pork Industry Center and the Iowa Pork Producers Association.

Source: ISU and IPPA