Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program

The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), and Pork Checkoff have teamed up to fund the Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program. This program aims to help control emerging diseases in the US pork industry, specifically focusing on enhancing biosecurity during the wean-to-harvest phase of pig production.

They are currently seeking innovative and cost-effective research proposals for a second round of funding, after successfully completing the first round in February. The research priorities continue to focus on site and transportation security, including personnel biocontainment and bioexclusion, mortality management, truck wash efficiency, alternatives to fixed truck wash, and packing plant biocontainment.

The program is particularly interested in new tools and techniques in these areas that can help improve biosecurity. Proposals should explore and define current practices and then look into new, potentially more efficient or cost-effective protocols or technologies. Progress can be tracked by monitoring the herd health status rather than disease outbreak incidence.

Collaborative projects that include participants from the pork industry, allied industries, and academic partnerships in either the public or private sector are encouraged. Preference will be given to projects that demonstrate urgent need, timely completion, and efficient use of funds.

There is approximately $1.3 million available for this round of research projects, with the maximum amount per proposal capped at $200,000. All research findings will be made public by SHIC, FFAR and Pork Checkoff as they become available.