Data, Disease Response and Market Signals Shape the Week

This week's edition tracks nursery performance tools, North American disease response, Canadian slaughter access and fresh market indicators.

David Gould & Fraser Senebald Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Before you dive into this week's stories, big news from our Pork Monitor beta: the new Disease Outbreaks Map is now live — plotting ASF, New World screwworm and PRRS detections across North America on one interactive screen. Open it below and tell us what to map next.

🚀 New this week · Free for Pork Watch readers Pork Monitor — the Disease Outbreaks Map is live. Track ASF, screwworm and PRRS detections across North America on one interactive, always-current map. Open the outbreak map  →

Nursery pigs in production. Source: Pork Business.

Canadian Swine Scene

CFIA proposes temporary interprovincial meat movement rule changes

farmnewsNOW, July 8th 2026

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is proposing targeted, time-limited changes to livestock slaughter and interprovincial movement rules. The proposal would allow low-volume red meat movement under provincial oversight when local slaughter capacity is limited. CFIA says safeguards would include traceability, food-safety oversight and provincial participation. Comments are open until August 26th.

Statistics Canada reports slightly lower May slaughter hog prices

Statistics Canada, July 10th 2026

Statistics Canada reported May farm product prices, including provincial slaughter hog prices. Compared with April, slaughter hog prices were slightly lower in every province except Manitoba, where prices rose 0.4%. Declines ranged from 1.4% in Prince Edward Island and Quebec to 0.1% in Saskatchewan. The agency said weaker live slaughter hog exports to the United States may have weighed on prices.

The U.S. Pork Report

SHIC applauds Iowa response to pseudorabies detection

AASV, July 8th 2026

SHIC, NPPC, the National Pork Board and AASV continue monitoring recent pseudorabies virus antibody detections in small swine herds in Iowa and Texas. Iowa completed USDA response protocols, preserving disease-free trade status. USDA APHIS tied the event to limited animals and feral swine exposure risk. SHIC urged producers to review fencing, wildlife exclusion, clothing, footwear and mortality-disposal practices.

USDA trims 2026 pork production outlook in July WASDE

USDA, July 10th 2026

USDA's July WASDE lowered the 2026 pork production forecast slightly. The agency said reduced second-half slaughter more than offset heavier dressed weights, reflecting the June Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report showing lower first-half pig crops and lower year-over-year farrowing indications later in 2026. The update gives producers another benchmark for supply planning and price expectations.

Balanced Breeding & Sustainability

Using data to get ahead of nursery mortality

Pork Business, July 8th 2026

Pork Business profiled Iowa State University's SwinalytIQ work on early warning systems for nursery mortality. The approach uses records producers already collect, including weekly mortality, feed intake and water use. In high-risk groups, the model identified problems 1.6 to 2.2 weeks earlier than typical on-farm detection, giving teams more time to investigate, treat and adjust environments.

Individual Pig Care training materials. Source: The Pig Site.

Individual Pig Care program shows health and performance gains

The Pig Site, July 7th 2026

The Pig Site reported on Zoetis' Individual Pig Care program, which focuses on early identification and treatment of sick pigs through standardized caregiver training. Reported trial results included reduced treatment costs, lower mortality and fewer culls. The article also cited improved nursery average daily gain and heavier exit weights, positioning consistent observation and communication as practical supports for survivability and responsible treatment.

Market & Supply Chain Dynamics

USDA export sales show pork decline from prior week

Brownfield Ag News, July 9th 2026

Brownfield reported USDA export sales for the week ending July 2nd, with most major agricultural categories below average. Net pork sales totaled 17,700 metric tons, down 53% from the prior week and 32% from the four-week average. Mexico, Japan, Canada, Colombia and South Korea were listed as buyers. Physical pork shipments totaled 30,200 metric tons.

French maize crop may be smallest in 50 years

The Pig Site, July 13th 2026

The Pig Site, citing Reuters, reported that heat and drought could leave France with its smallest maize crop in 50 years. Coceral cut its EU maize production outlook by nearly 8% to 52.7 million metric tons, the lowest since 2007. Some French farmers have begun cutting non-irrigated maize early for livestock fodder, a signal feed markets may remain weather-sensitive.

Quick Bites

EU adopts first livestock strategy, including pig welfare revisions. Read More

The Pig Site, July 9th 2026

CME August lean hogs settled higher as cutout topped $101. Read More

The Pig Site, July 13th 2026

Serbia culls 11,000 pigs after western ASF outbreak. Read More

The Pig Site, July 9th 2026