Disease surveillance and market access lead the week

New disease-monitoring signals, Canadian trade commentary, and U.S. market-access wins shaped the North American pork agenda.

David Gould & Fraser Senebald Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

A feral hog near a fence line. Source: Pork Business.

Canadian Swine Scene

RealAg Radio examines CUSMA's role in Canadian livestock trade

RealAgriculture, August 18th 2026

RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney interviewed Cam Dahl of Manitoba Pork about CUSMA and Canada-U.S. livestock trade. The discussion puts pork alongside wider meat-sector trade issues, including plant closures and cross-border negotiating power, as Canadian producers watch the next phase of North American market access talks.

The U.S. Pork Report

What global disease threats mean for your swine operation

Pork Business, August 20th 2026

Pork Business reports that ASF in Finland's wild boar and CSF in Japan are reinforcing U.S. calls for stricter on-farm biosecurity. Swine Health Information Center's Lisa Becton emphasized feral-swine exposure prevention, visitor controls, and the need to manage local risks while global foreign-animal-disease pressure remains active.

PRRS variants diversify as July swine disease rates decline

Pork Business, August 19th 2026

SHIC's July monitoring report showed PRRS positivity fell to 20.73% from 25.72% in June, while variant diversity widened across states. Variant 1C.5.32 remained the most detected strain, and PEDV and PDCoV activity returned to expected ranges after elevated periods earlier in 2026.

MSHMP and SDRS support complementary swine-disease monitoring

National Hog Farmer, August 18th 2026

National Hog Farmer summarized how MSHMP and SDRS use different data streams to monitor U.S. swine disease. MSHMP provides herd-level epidemiology, while SDRS supplies near-real-time diagnostic intelligence from veterinary diagnostic laboratories, giving producers and veterinarians a broader view of disease occurrence and transmission.

Genetics & Breeding Innovation

Leman: Optimizing gestation nutrition

The Pig Site, August 18th 2026

South Dakota State University researchers reported that highly prolific sows may be outpacing traditional gestation-feeding strategies. The article highlights anemia prevalence in late gestation and notes research linking nutrient-enriched late-gestation diets to shorter farrowing duration, reduced stillbirths, better micronutrient status, and improved piglet survival.

McNess FeedARMOR discussion at World Pork Expo. Source: The Pig Site.

Balanced Breeding & Sustainability

WPX: FeedARMOR targets viruses and Salmonella with feed mitigation

The Pig Site, August 18th 2026

McNess said new university work on FeedARMOR showed rapid reductions in PEDV-model virus activity and Salmonella, while the company prepares a liquid formulation. The product combines organic acids, monoglycerides, and natural extracts at a lower inclusion rate than many conventional mitigants.

Market & Supply Chain Dynamics

The price peak is behind us

National Hog Farmer, August 24th 2026

Ron Plain wrote that hog prices and pork cutout values have likely passed their summer peak. USDA forecasts average liveweight hog prices of $65.32/cwt for 2026 and $65/cwt for 2027, while heavier slaughter weights and stable pork consumption are shaping supply expectations.

U.S. red meat gains expanded Nigeria market access

National Hog Farmer, August 21st 2026

Nigeria is now open to a broader range of U.S. red meat, including all pork cuts except bone-in hams. USMEF said the decision creates long-term potential in Africa's third-largest economy, although offal, smoked, dried, and cured pork products remain excluded.

Quick Bites

Farm bill, trade, and screwworm remain producer watch items. Read More

National Hog Farmer, August 21st 2026

Animal-rights activism tactics shift toward litigation and corporate campaigns. Read More

Pork Business, August 21st 2026

Brett Kaysen joins United Animal Health senior leadership. Read More

National Hog Farmer, August 24th 2026