1. Swine Health Information Center to integrate into National Pork Board
SHIC's established system with emerging disease threats, from surveillance to research, will continue throughout the transition.
National Pork Board
National Hog Farmer
September 10, 2026
The producer-led boards of the Swine Health Information Center and National Pork Board have approved an agreement to integrate SHIC into NPB by the end of 2026. For pork producers, the integration is designed to preserve SHIC's emerging-disease capabilities while connecting them more directly to the industry's broader swine health priorities.
SHIC's established system for identifying and responding to emerging disease threats, from surveillance and monitoring to reporting and research, will continue throughout the transition. Continuity in these services and support to producers, researchers, veterinarians and industry partners is a top priority for both boards.
"When producers created SHIC, they asked it to watch for emerging disease threats around the world and move quickly when risks appeared," said Joe Dykhuis, Michigan pork producer and SHIC board president. "SHIC built that capability through disease monitoring, focused research and practical information. This integration sustains that work and positions it to serve producers into the future."
2. Turkey farms in Dakotas, Minnesota hit with H5N1 avian flu
By Stephanie Soucheray, MA
CIDRAP News
September 10, 2026
Since September 1, the US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has noted seven H5N1 avian flu detections in commercial poultry operations, in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Idaho.
In Wright County, Minnesota, 29,800 birds at a turkey facility were affected, as were 61,300 birds at a commercial turkey operation in McPherson County, South Dakota, and 43,800 turkeys at a facility in Turner County, South Dakota. In Lamoure County, North Dakota, 41,600 commercial birds were hit.
In addition, H5N1 was confirmed in a commercial poultry breeding operation in Edmunds County, South Dakota, housing 30,200 birds, and Idaho confirmed two backyard outbreaks in Canyon and Gem counties.
Overall in the past 30 days eight commercial flocks and six backyard flocks have been infected by avian flu, affecting 360,000 birds.
Cattle in Idaho also infected
In other avian flu news, there are two new infected dairy herds in cattle in Idaho. In the past 30 days, Idaho and Texas have reported H5N1 in five dairy herds. So far this year there have been 88 H5N1 detections in cattle.
3. Two Equine WNV Cases in Colorado
EDCC Health Watch
EquiManagement.com
September 10, 2026
On Sept. 10, the State Veterinarian's Office reported equine West Nile virus cases in two Colorado counties. A 2-year-old Quarter Horse mare in Pueblo County began showing signs of ataxia (incoordination), anorexia, and abnormal mentation on Sept. 2 and was confirmed positive for WNV on Sept. 9.
An unvaccinated 4-year-old Quarter Horse gelding on a private farm in Montrose County was confirmed positive for WNV after developing signs of weakness, ataxia, teeth grinding, and muscle twitching. Both horses are affected and alive.
Full text: https://equimanagement.com/news/edcc-health-watch/2-equine-wnv-cases-in-colorado/
4. How will the US eradicate screwworm this time?
Sterile male New World screwworm flies are the answer, but timing is key, experts say
By Malinda Larkin
AVMA News
September 10, 2026
When New World screwworm (NWS) breached the barrier in 2023 at the Darién Gap in Panama, the U.S. knew it had to prepare for a possible incursion of the deadly pest. Once that became a reality in early June, federal, state, and local governments shifted from prevention to containment and eradication efforts.
Lessons learned from the last major outbreak during the '60s and '70s, coupled with today's technology and research innovations, have helped keep the number of cases relatively low. And still, it's not enough.
Dr. Brianna Schur, associate deputy administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services, said, "Our ultimate goal is for early detection, containment, control, and then ultimately eradication back to the Darién Gap."
Dr. Schur gave an overview of the federal response to screwworm during a July 12 session at AVMA Convention 2026 in Anaheim, California. She said a key part of eradicating established populations of the pest or isolating outbreaks of it is through the sterile insect technique (SIT).
"We know that's the greatest tool we have in our toolbox right now, and we're very aggressively trying to use that," she said.
Full text: https://www.avma.org/news/how-will-us-eradicate-screwworm-time
5. Disease outbreak hits John Day River bighorn sheep population [OR]
By Gregory Deffenbaugh
KTVZ.com
September 8, 2026
THE DALLES, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Several California bighorn sheep along the John Day River have tested positive for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, marking the first known detection of the respiratory pathogen in the herd.
The Day River bighorn sheep herd is Oregon's largest, with an estimated 1,000 individuals.
The pathogen, commonly known as M. ovi, is associated with severe pneumonia outbreaks in wild sheep populations and there is no known vaccine or medical treatment available. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife staff are conducting necropsies on dead sheep, submitting samples to the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and surveying the canyon to assess the extent and specific strain of the outbreak.
Trent Gianella, an assistant wildlife biologist with ODFW in The Dalles, noted that the herd had previously avoided the disease. "Many bighorn populations in the state have felt the impacts of pneumonia over the years," Gianella said. "But the Day bighorn herd has stood out as a stronghold for its size and health both in Oregon and across the West as until now we had not detected M. ovi in this herd. So, this is disappointing news."
Full text: https://ktvz.com/news/2026/09/08/disease-outbreak-hits-john-day-river-bighorn-sheep-population/
6. Spotlight: FFAR Fellows - FFAR's Flagship Scientific Workforce Program
Real-Time Virus Detection
September 10, 2026
The FFAR Fellows Program, established in 2018, offers leadership and professional development training to doctoral students studying food and agriculture-related sciences in the U.S. Fellows are provided training, networking opportunities and peer support over a three-year period, and paired with an industry mentor who provides career guidance. Participants may also receive grants to pursue research that aligns with FFAR's Priority Areas. The FFAR Fellows Program is managed by North Carolina State University and is co-funded by FFAR, industry and other sponsors.
Real-Time Virus Detection
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a costly and complex problem for cattle producers. The virus is hard to detect and treat as it is caused by a combination of stress, viral infections and bacterial pathogens rather than a single agent.
Through a New Innovator in Food & Agriculture Research award, a scientific workforce program that provides early-career scientists with the investment needed to launch successful research careers, researchers led by Dr. Mohit Verma developed a portable, paper-based biosensor that detects 10 BRD-associated viruses in under an hour. This tool allows farmers and veterinarians to test cattle directly in the field and make faster, more informed decisions, highlighting the value of real-time detection. Additionally, in feedlot trials, the biosensor identified more viruses than traditional lab tests.
Researchers also analyzed more than 900 cattle samples nationwide, generating the first large-scale dataset of BRD viral profiles and identifying Bovine Rhinitis B Virus as more likely to cause illness.
Full text: https://foundationfar.org/investing-in-results-for-u-s-agriculture/ #flexible-content-with-quote-and-image-3