Dozens of Oklahoma show pig producers came together this week to participate in a Foreign Animal Disease preparedness drill to work through what would happen if a disease like African Swine Fever impacts Oklahoma.
Dozens of Oklahoma show pig producers came together to participate in a Foreign Animal Disease preparedness drill to work through what would happen if a disease like African Swine Fever impacts Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Pork teamed up with the National Pork Board (NPB) to host a first-of-its-kind African Swine Fever (ASF) tabletop exercise specifically created to engage our state's show pig producers. The exclusive event brought together national and state experts to share coaching and receive helpful feedback from around 50 Oklahomans involved with youth livestock exhibitions.
Veterinarian Suzanne Genova, who represents niche production like show pigs on the Oklahoma Pork Council's Board of Directors, was instrumental in bringing the right people together for this day of deep learning. Attendees also benefited from expertise shared by our regulatory partners like USDA regional veterinarian Dr. Becky Brewer, State Veterinarian Dr. Rod Hall, Assistant State Veterinarian Dr. Alicia Gorczyca-Southerland, and ODAFF Deputy Commissioner JanLee Rowlett. In the case of a Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) outbreak like ASF, it will be critical that Oklahoma pork producers of all sizes be knowledgeable and intentional as we work together with state and federal regulators to move toward eradication.
Attendees participated in a welcome reception and optional Secure Pork Supply (SPS) training on Wednesday night before a packed schedule of programming all-day Thursday. Key facilitators of Thursday's educational sessions and tabletop exercise included: Dr. Patrick Webb, Assistant Chief Veterinarian for the National Pork Board; Bruce Spence, Assistant Chief of Training, Fire Department Air National Guard (Ret.); and. Jason Menke, Director of Consumer Public Relations at the National Pork Board. The day was filled with thought-provoking interactions between animal health leaders and Oklahoma's important show pig segment related to ASF and other threats to U.S. pork.
The Oklahoma Pork Council appreciates support and expertise from the National Pork Board (NPB) to help make this event possible. To learn more about disease preparedness in Oklahoma's swine industry, check out Oklahoma Pork's FAD hub here.