By Andi Anderson
The swine industry depends on timely and reliable health information to protect animals and maintain productivity. While detailed diagnostic data has long been available, industry leaders recognized the need for a more approachable way to share this information.
To meet this need, a monthly Swine Disease Reporting System podcast was developed by a university-based Field Epidemiology Team.
“While monthly reports and real-time updated dashboards provided detailed data, the podcast turns those findings into conversations that are more approachable and practical for busy professionals,” said Dr. Quyen Thuc Le, research assistant in the Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine. “Because episodes can be listened to while driving, commuting or working, the podcast format helps us reach a wider audience and share timely context from investigators and guest experts.”
The podcast has been running since April 2022 and is released every month. Each episode lasts about 20 to 30 minutes and features discussions among investigators and guest experts.
Topics include diagnostic data trends, emerging pathogens, and what these findings mean for the swine industry. The goal is to make complex research easier to understand and useful for daily farm decisions.
SDRS monitors diagnostic data for 10 primary swine pathogens and also covers more than 50 confirmed porcine diseases from tissue cases. Veterinarians, producers, researchers, and industry professionals from around the world tune in to gain updated information.
“By sharing timely insights in this accessible way, the podcast has become a key channel for connecting with the industry and supporting informed decision-marking,” Quyen Le said. “Our goal is to ensure that diagnostic trends are not only available, but also meaningful and useful in everyday decision-making.”
The program is supported by competitive grants and combines diagnostic data from multiple veterinary laboratories across the United States. It focuses on major pig-producing states to provide relevant and accurate information.
The Field Epidemiology Team plans to expand the podcast by sharing episodes on more platforms, adding translations, and inviting more producers and practitioners to participate.
“We also hope to strengthen industry engagement by inviting more producers and practitioners to share their perspectives, Quyen Le said. “We see the podcast as a tool for training and outreach, supporting both the next generation of swine health professionals and continuing education for current practitioners. “Ultimately our goal is to keep the podcast a trusted, practical and forward-looking resource for the industry.”
There are also plans to explore future expansion. “While our current focus is on U.S. swine health, we see opportunities to expand into other species such as poultry and bovine in the future,” Quyen Le said.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-grafvision
Categories: Iowa, Livestock, Hogs