Research, Disease Readiness and Trade Access Shape the Week

This week's issue tracks Canadian research outreach, U.S. policy pressure, swine-health monitoring and export access.

David Gould & Fraser Senebald Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Aline Remus, research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Source: National Hog Farmer.

Canadian Swine Scene

Swine Innovation Porc debuts new Research in Action series

National Hog Farmer, August 5th 2026

Swine Innovation Porc has launched a Research in Action video series through the Pork Research Hub. The first episode features Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientist Aline Remus and Swine Cluster 4 work on precision feeding systems that can reduce feed costs, lower greenhouse-gas emissions and improve production sustainability. New episodes are planned monthly in English and French.

The U.S. Pork Report

Padilla introduces bills to strengthen support and protections for farm and food system workers

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, August 6th 2026

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla introduced three bills covering farm and food system workers: the Fairness for Farm Workers Act, Supporting Our Farm and Food System Workforce Act and Voice for Farm Workers Act. The package would expand overtime protections, increase USDA coordination with workers and require annual reporting on workforce-support efforts. The labour provisions would apply broadly across agriculture, including livestock operations.

New pig barn, poultry facility open at the Indiana State Fair's Little Hands on the Farm exhibit

Brownfield Ag News, August 7th 2026

Brownfield reports a new pig barn has opened at the Indiana State Fair's Little Hands on the Farm exhibit. Indiana Pork executive director Josh Trenary said the exhibit is intended to help children understand modern pork production. The mock-farm experience is open through August 23 and includes facilities developed through partnerships with Rose Acre Farms and Hog Slat.

Genetics & Breeding Innovation

SHIC/FFAR co-fund six projects to advance swine disease monitoring and mitigation

Swine Health Information Center, August 5th 2026

The Swine Health Information Center and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research are co-funding six disease-monitoring and mitigation projects. SHIC says the work represents $719,415 in investment and spans institutions in the United States and Canada. Project areas include production-data integration, airborne-disease mitigation, African swine fever detection tools and wastewater sampling for emerging disease surveillance.

Predicting nursery mortality before pigs leave the sow farm

National Hog Farmer, August 4th 2026

Iowa State University's SwinalytIQ team is evaluating whether sow-farm records can estimate nursery mortality risk before visible health problems appear. The model uses information from 2,025 commercial weaning groups, including PRRS, Mycoplasma pneumonia, PED status and reproductive measures. The goal is to help producers focus attention and resources on groups most likely to experience losses.

Graphic illustrating pre-weaning data used to estimate nursery mortality risk. Source: National Hog Farmer.

Balanced Breeding & Sustainability

SHIC-funded study examines mammalian orthoreovirus, adenovirus, novel pathogens in U.S. swine herd

Swine Health Information Center, August 5th 2026

A SHIC-funded University of Missouri study examined whether mammalian orthoreovirus and porcine adenovirus are present in U.S. swine herds and whether they pose health risks. The study found both viruses can infect pigs and contribute to general enteric disease, but were not associated with severe or unique clinical signs. SHIC says the findings can help veterinarians interpret diagnostic results.

Market & Supply Chain Dynamics

June beef export value above year-ago; now-resolved offal restrictions slowed pork exports

U.S. Meat Export Federation, August 5th 2026

USMEF reported June pork exports of 224,822 metric tons, down 6% from a year earlier, with value down 9% to $624.5 million. The federation said most of the decline came from a 21% drop in pork variety meat exports after Mexico and Colombia suspended U.S. pork offal imports. Those pseudorabies-related restrictions were lifted in July.

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: August 7, 2026

Brownfield Ag News, August 7th 2026

Brownfield's August 7 futures close showed October lean hogs at $82.22, up 50 cents, while December lean hogs closed at $73.57, up 35 cents. Feed-market signals were mixed, with September corn unchanged at $4.39, September soybeans down one cent and September soybean meal down $2.70. The daily close gives producers a current snapshot of livestock and feed-price direction.

Quick Bites

Southeast pork groups launch a six-state producer alliance. Read More

National Hog Farmer, August 6th 2026

MSHMP annual report details disease-monitoring program growth. Read More

Swine Health Information Center, August 5th 2026

Ohio economist warns Canadian tariffs could raise uncertainty. Read More

Brownfield Ag News, August 4th 2026