Swine Health & Sustainability Research Update - Q1 2026

On this page:

• Practical Applications of Swine Health and We Care® Research
• Turning Swine Health Research into Action
• New Research Available on porkcheckoff.org

Research is one of the three areas of focus for the Pork Checkoff outlined in the Pork Act and Order. It's also the foundation for all Checkoff projects and programs.

In 2025, the National Pork Board (NPB) allocated more than $2.8 million to continue learning more about the pork industry in areas like swine health, human nutrition, consumer attitudes and perceptions, animal well-being and environmental impact.

Pork Checkoff dollars continue to fund research that advances pork production and the long-term value of pork, working with leading universities and research institutes to conduct studies in areas critical to the pork industry.

Practical Applications of Swine Health and We Care® Research

A comprehensive compendium of Pork Checkoff-supported research for the past three years is available for pork producers, swine health professionals, researchers, swine nutritionists, animal welfare professionals and more. This new resource provides producers with concise, practical takeaways from each project funded over the past three years. It also clearly illustrates how Pork Checkoff-supported research aligns with the industry's We Care® Ethical Principles, reinforcing our shared commitment to responsible stewardship and continuous improvement in raising healthy pigs.

Explore the full research compendium here.

Turning Swine Health Research into Action

NPB has launched a long-term initiative, the National Swine Health Strategy (NSHS), aimed at strengthening herd health across the U.S. pork industry. Central to this effort is investing in research and translating findings into tangible, slat-level solutions that producers can confidently implement on their farms.

As part of this commitment, NPB's Swine Disease Research Task Force (SDRTF) recently issued a request for proposals (RFP) to universities and members of the swine health research community. The RFP seeks projects aligned with the NSHS's two primary goals and five priorities, ensuring research investments directly support the industry's most pressing health challenges.

1. Reduce the impact of domestic diseases
   • PRRSV Elimination
   • PEDV Elimination
   • Reduce the spread of pathogens in the U.S. Pork industry
2. Keep foreign and emerging diseases out
   • Foreign animal disease (FAD) prevention & preparedness
   • Checkoff-funded emerging disease research is being coordinated through the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC).

This RFP focuses on knowledge gaps related to reducing the impact of domestic diseases and preventing incursions of foreign animal diseases. Funding of $1 million is available and will be allocated to multiple proposals selected by the SDRTF. Learn more about this research effort here.

New Research Available on porkcheckoff.org

There are several recently published final reports available to view on the Pork Checkoff website. Here are a few highlights:

• Evaluation of scavenger mitigation at animal mortality management sites
  • What you need to know: Vulture effigies were effective at deterring turkey vultures and black vultures. A portable electric fence was effective at reducing terrestrial scavengers.
  • Read the full report.

• Best Practices in Reducing Feed Waste in Swine Production
  • What you need to know: Reducing feed waste starts with being intentional about how feed is handled and delivered. Small adjustments in setup, monitoring, and day-to-day management can make a meaningful difference.
  • Read the full report.

Visit porkcheckoff.org/research to learn more about Pork Checkoff-funded research and how it can impact your farm.