ASF Biosecurity Concerns

Rick Worthington

South Korea has become the latest country affected by deadly African swine fever, after several pigs that died at a farm were found to have been infected with the virus.

A total of eight Asian countries have reported outbreaks of the virus, though it has not spread to the US.

Pig farmers in the US are naturally worried about the disease spreading here, which is why many have taken additional steps to protect their animals.

Dr. Lisa Becton with the Pork Checkoff says biosecurity starts with the basics.

Looking at how you're bringing people in and out of the farms, even where you're parking, workers make, you know, things like don't park people right next to the farm having extra boots and coveralls and make sure people aren't carrying any of their personal items in.

And she says paying attention to the feed you use can help protect your animals as well.

And so we're trying to take advantage of that learning for A-S-F. And have folks look at feed suppliers if they get anything from overseas, specifically from China or Asia. But really looking at what are they doing for purchasing? Can you hold the feed before using it to try to prevent any kind of disease introduction?

And she says if you're going to pay attention to feed, you have to look closely at the feed mills and the feed trucks that are used as well.