As spring jackpot season kicks off, show pig families are facing a familiar hurdle: a mountain of paperwork and additional veterinary costs. However, a new tool could mean fewer manual errors and more money back in exhibitors’ pockets.
Making Show Prep Easier
Dr. Patrick Webb, assistant veterinarian at the National Pork Board, wants to help streamline some of that process using AgView, a free, opt-in technology solution funded by Pork Checkoff. AgView helps show pig producers and exhibitors track pig movements to and from show and exhibitions easily. This tracking is important, especially if animal health officials request updated and accurate data in a disease outbreak like pseudorabies or African swine fever.
The new MyBarn feature, funded by a USDA cooperative agreement, is an easy solution for show pig producers and exhibitors to add project pigs to their AgView account, along with its location and movement history, Webb says. This information is shared with the state veterinarian in the event of a disease outbreak.
“We continue to find ways to build AgView out to make it very easy for show pig enthusiasts to get tag numbers into AgView, associate them with their project pigs for that year, and then be able to associate those pigs with the movement to the show that they’re going to,” he explains.
There is no additional cost to families to obtain an AgView account, Webb says. Exhibitors can use AgView as a modern way to electronically track, and share when needed, locations and pig movements. They will also be able to use AgView to participate in programs like the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan.
Streamlining Show Paperwork
But AgView isn’t just for exhibitors. Webb is excited that they are finding ways to help show officials, too.
“Shows require paperwork,” Webb says. “This includes a lot of handwriting of information and files being sent via email. We’d like to streamline that whole process from the show pig producer to the show organizer to the state animal health official.”
This next phase of enhancing AgView will better meet the needs of the show organizer, he adds. For example, they are improving electronic gathering of pig identification and traceability data to meet the requirements set by the state veterinarian for record keeping and reporting by shows. This is currently done by hand.
“All pork producers and exhibitors need to have the ability to rapidly share traceability data (locations and movements) with their state veterinarian in the case of a foreign animal or regulatory disease outbreak,” Webb says. “The longer it takes producers or exhibitors to provide that information, the longer the industry waits to get back to business.”
One other way National Pork Board is helping eliminate manual errors is by moving to the use of RFID tags. Through a partnership with the USDA, official 840 RFID tags are now available to show pig producers at no additional cost. This removes a financial barrier for families needing official identification for sanctioned shows.
Moving to digital records solves the common issue of miscopying 15-digit tag numbers, which Webb notes happens “nine out of 10 times” when done by hand.
“Think about it – you’ve got 10 project pigs,” he says. “You enter those 10 project pigs in ‘My Barn,’ associate them with the RFID tag that’s in their ear. The kid enters it once and then everything flows where it needs to go.”
How to Claim Your Free 840 RFID Tags
Follow these steps to secure yours before the next show:
1. Verify Your PIN: You must have a valid Premises Identification Number (PIN) for the location where the pigs are housed. If you don’t have one, contact your state animal health official.
2. Visit the Portal: Go to www.840swinetags.com to place your order.
3. Enter Your Details: Provide your PIN, shipping address, and the number of show pigs currently on your premises.
4. Tag Your Projects: Once the tags arrive, apply them using a compatible RFID tag applicator.
5. Sync with AgView: Open your AgView account and use the “MyBarn” feature to scan or enter the tag numbers once. This ensures your records are accurate and ready for any show requirement.
Show Pig Health Checklist
When pigs mix for the first time at these shows, health problems undoubtedly follow. Help keep your pigs and your friends’ pigs healthy by following these steps.
1. Complete thorough animal health checks before loading up your pigs to go to the show.
2. If you have sick pigs, leave them at home and follow up with a veterinarian.
3. Bring health documentation to the show.
4. All identification and movement records should be in accordance with federal code of regulations, and it’s required when moving pigs in interstate commerce.
Read more about keeping your pigs health at the show here.
Visit porkcheckoff.org to learn more about AgView and its MyBarn Feature.
