“It’s really easy to identify the price of something, it takes work to understand the value,” National Pork Board president David Newman said during the Pork Industry Forum.
And Gene Noem, National Pork Board vice president, says that statement couldn’t be more applicable to the $15-million investment the Pork Checkoff made to fund the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC).
In response to the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) outbreak that caught the U.S. pork industry by surprise, SHIC was launched in July 2015 as a one-time endeavor with a projected life span of five years. However, the National Pork Board voted last year to extend the program, using existing SHIC funds, through July 2022.
Although $15 million may seem like a lot of money, Noem says this investment is a great example of how the National Pork Board’s funds have brought a significant return on investment for all pork producers through deliverables made possible by SHIC’s nimble structure, unique responsibilities and independence.
SHIC Acknowledges Return on Investment
A recent review highlights how SHIC’s efforts are affecting the swine industry, including monitoring and analyzing emerging disease issues and research, monitoring non-program swine diseases, working collaboratively with other industry organizations and filling gaps in swine disease prevention, preparedness and response.
“In the very short time we’ve been in existence, we have come to play such a vital role in helping defend the health of our industry,” says SHIC board chair Daryl Olsen, DVM, with AMVC in Audubon, Iowa.
Olsen encourages producers to read the report for themselves to see how that funding has been used and how SHIC has filled a void in the pork industry.
SHIC operates with an intentionally responsive structure for a reason. Not only does it allow for quick action on emerging issues, but it also fosters clear accountability for results, according to a SHIC release. For Minnesota State Veterinarian Beth Thompson, DVM, coordinated global disease monitoring and the ability to be responsive is imperative, especially in the world we live in today.
“We see diseases spread easily across political borders, and across countries and oceans. Utilizing experts in many areas, SHIC analyzes the monitoring efforts, and directs funding and efforts into research. The thoughtful process that has been implemented has provided US swine farmers, veterinarians and associated industries with up to date and relevant information. This process has also allowed SHIC to quickly pivot to timely issues with producer oversight,” explains Thompson, a SHIC working group member.
Because of SHIC’s fiscal responsibility, it has been able to stretch the National Pork Board’s initial investment by partnering with other agencies, keeping overhead as low as possible and seeking additional resources.
“SHIC is a wonderful invention. They take a threat and educate us on it, so it becomes a non-threat. SHIC has been on the cutting edge of several situations I would consider a homerun. And it’s a great value. There’s not a lot of huge overhead or ridiculous amount of expenses, yet activities on so many fronts, contributing to the health of our swine industry tremendously,” says Russ Nugent of Dogwood Ag Services, LLC, and SHIC board member.
SHIC has developed several assets for the U.S. swine industry, funded extensive research and contributed countless deliverables as it seeks to protect and enhance the health of the U.S. swine herd.
5 Ways SHIC Has Moved the Needle in Swine Health
The list is long when it comes to all the advancements SHIC has helped make possible. Here are five ways that SHIC has helped advance swine health.
1. Developed standardization of veterinary diagnostic laboratory reporting so all laboratories publish data with comparable measures, metrics, and terminology. This effort means the U.S. now has the ability to detect and analyze emerging disease and disease trends.
2. Built a structure that combines active emerging disease evaluation through continuous Swine Disease Matrix review and updates, while providing a pathway for diagnosticians and veterinarians to detect, identify, and contain emerging and endemic pathogens. Early and constant evaluation prepares producers for early responses.
3. Developed a structure that actively engages researchers, diagnosticians, practitioners, state and federal animal health officials, and producers to protect the health of our swine industry.
4. Funded targeted research to enhance the prevention of emerging disease and strengthen the preparedness to respond to an emerging disease.
5. Coordinates monthly domestic and international disease reports to help veterinarians and producers be aware of changing disease status.
“The US pork industry has undergone monumental changes in all aspects of producing bacon, if you will, in the last 30 years,” says Jim Pillen of Pillen Farmily Farms/DNA Genetics. “The most pronounced, which has created great opportunity, is feeding the world via export markets, with the U.S. going from being a 7% importer in 1990 to now a net exporter north of one in four pigs we raise. With that it creates unprecedented risk for all of us. We have to ship it as we can’t eat it all.”
Pillen says he is grateful for what SHIC does and points out how important it is to learn where foreign animal disease threats are emerging and how we can prevent them or stop them if they come to the U.S. He adds a great example is the recent work being done in Vietnam in regards to African swine fever.
“Investing our life and all we have into this industry, our family is appreciative of the work of SHIC to help create awareness and bring the best together with science to protect us from FAD entry,” Pillen says.
Read more from Farm Journal’s PORK:
Stop Chasing, Get Out in Front: SHIC Reports on 2020 Progress
Put PRRS Strain 1-4-4 Lineage 1C in Perspective
There’s No Playbook for Astrovirus Type 3, Sundberg Says
Forecasting Outbreaks Could Be a Game-Changer for Pork Industry
Ultraviolet Light: Don’t Be Misled by a False Sense of Security
Put Up Hurdles to Keep Swine Diseases Out
Study Looks at Livestock Trailer Contamination to Barns
