Swine exhibition sites, state pork associations, and Extension programs now have an opportunity to strengthen animal disease preparedness through a new National Pork Board initiative.
Organizations with a current Premises Identification Number, or PIN, can apply to receive up to four handheld RFID tag readers.
“So, when those pigs go to a show, you can select which pigs from your home place are going, and which pigs are staying, so you can make a really easy movement trace to the show.” Says Brent Pepin, Director of Swine Health at the National Pork Board.
He says the handheld readers are designed to work alongside the AgView system, making it easier to quickly identify and trace animals if a disease outbreak occurs.
He adds, “This just helps increase our traceability. So, if we ever do have an event where we have to do a trace back, knowing where all these animals have been is going to make that go much smoother, much quicker.”
Pepin also says producers can now upload 840 RFID ear tags directly into AgView using a new feature called My Barn, making herd records more accurate and easier to manage.
“So, the nice thing about this My Barn feature is you could upload that information one time. You have those animals on your site there, and then you check which ones are going to which show to make their movement nice and seamless.” Says Pepin.
The National Pork Board says the technology is another step toward improving biosecurity and protecting the U.S. swine industry through better preparedness and faster response capabilities.
For more information log on to porkcheckoff.org
