The recent spread of African Swine Fever in the Dominican Republic emphasizes the importance of foreign animal disease preparedness, including proper biosecurity measures to aid in reducing the risk of introducing a foreign animal disease. The Iowa Pork Industry Center, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and Iowa Pork Producers Association have teamed up to provide five workshops throughout the state.
ISU Extension and Outreach swine veterinarian Chris Rademacher, who also is the Iowa Pork Industry Center interim director, said the Foreign Animal Disease Preparation for Pork Producers workshops focus on the "next steps" in FAD preparedness at the farm level.
"We'll introduce and explain how to use programs and tools to be prepared for an FAD outbreak and subsequent investigations, including enrollment in US-SHIP, AgView and Secure Pork Supply," he said. "We'll also talk about available resources for contingency planning for sites located within control zones, and potential mitigation strategies for feed shortages during the initial movement standstill."
Updates on ASF in the Dominican Republic, ASF vaccine and the Certified Swine Sample Collector program also will be shared. Following the presentations, all speakers will be available for a Q&A session on any aspect of FAD awareness and preparation.
The program will be delivered collaboratively by Rademacher, the extension swine specialist for each respective location, and depending on schedule, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship staff member Amanda Chipman and state veterinarian Jeff Kaisand.
All workshops run from 1-4 p.m. and are free to attend. Preregistration is requested. To preregister complete this form.
For more information, contact the specialist listed by the location you wish to attend.
Aug. 31: ISU Extension and Outreach Sioux County Office, 400 Central Ave. NW, Suite 700, Orange City. Contact Dave Stender at dstender@iastate.edu or 712-261-0225.
Sept. 1: ISU Extension and Outreach Washington County Office, 2223 250th St., Washington. Contact Matt Romoser mromoser@iastate.edu, 319-430-7533.
Sept. 12: Heartland Acres Agribition Center, 2600 Swan Lake Blvd., Independence. Contact Mark Storlie at mstorlie@iastate.edu or 563-425-3331.
Sept. 13: ISU Extension and Outreach Hancock County Office, 325 W. 8th St., Garner. Contact Russ Euken at reuken@iastate.edu or 641-231-1711.
Sept. 21: ISU Extension and Outreach Marshall County Office, 2608 South 2nd St., Suite E., Marshalltown. Contact Colin Johnson at colinj@iastate.edu or 515-291-9287.
Categories: Iowa, Education, Livestock, Hogs