Farmscape for March 21, 2025

As part of its March eNewsletter, the Swine Health Information Center has released its 2025 plan of work and issued a request for research proposals.
SHIC Associate Director Dr. Lisa Becton explains the plan of work is developed in collaboration with pork sector stakeholders, reviewed by two internal working groups then approved by the Board of Directors and provides a framework for targeted research investments and outlines areas of focus for research.

Clip-Dr. Lisa Becton-Swine Health Information Center:
The plan of work really addresses our five main pillars which are improved swine health information, monitor and mitigate risks to swine health, respond to emerging disease, surveillance and discovery of emerging diseases and also work within the swine disease matrix.
Obviously, this does change over time and that depends upon the needs of the industry and what emerging diseases are present and/or are threatening.
For example, one of the main focusses for the last several years has been on transportation biosecurity and other aspects of biosecurity in the wean to harvest area.
This is because this can be a very high risk all the way up the chain and help introduce potential pathogens into swine production.
So, our plan of work has reflected a lot of activities within that area.
But, other things, for example, such as Japanese encephalitis and, most recently high path avian influenza, H5N1 have also been part of SHIC's operating focus.
We strive to be nimble and responsive to emerging disease challenges within the industry and our plan of work tries to reflect that.

Dr. Becton notes any researcher is eligible to submit proposals under the call and those proposals should directly address priorities outlined in the request for proposals, provide benefits to U.S. producers and demonstrate efficient use of available funds.
Details on the 2025 plan of work and information on the call for research proposals can be found by accessing SHIC's March eNewsletter at swinehealth.org.
For more visit Farmscape.Ca.
Bruce Cochrane.

       *Farmscape is produced on behalf of North America’s pork producers