Written by Cash Martin, TPPA Intern
Each time you, as a young exhibitor, step into the show ring, you are doing more than showcasing months of hard work; you are also helping protect the health of the entire United States pork industry. It might not seem like a big deal when it’s just your one or two pigs, but with more than 123,000 sows bred for show pigs each year, what you do matters, a lot. Youth exhibitors play a vital role in maintaining a healthy national swine herd. That responsibility begins long before show day and continues past the final drive.
No matter the size of your operation, whether you are raising one pig or managing a much larger project, you are part of something much bigger. With more than a million pigs involved in exhibitions across the country each year, good biosecurity is not optional; it is essential. Biosecurity refers to the steps taken to reduce the risk of spreading disease through people, animals, equipment, or vehicles. Since pigs are highly susceptible to illness, it is critical that every exhibitor follows sound biosecurity practices. Read on to explore a few simple but powerful ways to protect not just your pigs, but the swine industry as a whole.
DO YOUR PART
Maintaining daily biosecurity at home is one of the most effective ways to protect your pigs from disease. Start by keeping your shoes, clothing, and feed clean and separate from anything that has been to a show or another barn. Limit who enters your barn and make sure any visitors wear clean clothes and footwear. It is also important to control traffic. Vehicles, especially trailers, can carry and transport harmful and unwanted pathogens. Keep your barn area clean and free of spilled feed, trash, and weeds to help prevent pests and rodents, which can also spread disease. Cleaning and disinfecting your barn, trailer, and equipment should always be a top priority. Start by removing all bedding, dirt, and manure, then wash everything with hot water—using soap or detergent helps make the job easier. Be sure to clean anything that’s been to a show, like feeders, hoses, brushes, and show box items. Always clean equipment away from your pigs to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. If you’re bringing in new pigs or returning from a show, monitor them closely for signs of illness. If you suspect or notice any symptoms, contact your vet right away. If your pigs become ill, it is very important to allow them to fully recover before taking them to another show. By consistently doing your part, you help make the entire industry a safer place.
BE ATTENTIVE
The commercial pork industry is moving quickly toward full traceability, with new standards already in motion. Last spring, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) submitted swine traceability recommendations to the USDA aimed at strengthening animal health response and improving disease tracking.
WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT THE US SWINE INDUSTRY?
While these updates are mainly geared
toward the commercial sector, they eventually impact youth livestock exhibitors as well. Luckily, Texas is ahead of the curve, already using RFID tags at major stock shows, which may soften the impact if these standards eventually extend to show pigs. Right now, no changes are required for exhibitors, but staying informed is key. Raising awareness now can help make any future transition smoother.
WHY IT MATTERS
Prioritizing good practices as exhibitors
matters because one mistake can affect every exhibitor in the barn, including you. These small steps you take daily have a big impact and will directly affect you if not done correctly.
For example, if a foreign animal disease, like African swine fever, were to enter the U.S., it could shut down all livestock shows for an undetermined amount of time. That means no jackpots, no county fair, no majors—nothing. By doing your part to keep pigs healthy, you are protecting your project, your show season, and the opportunity for all youth to exhibit. Taking responsibility and caring shows leadership, and being a role model now helps protect the future of the industry we all care about.