Secure Pork Supply Workshops

Photo source: National Pork Board

Swine diseases, and the threat of Foreign Animal Diseases (FAD) are a danger to US pork production.  If foot and mouth disease (FMD), classical swine fever (CSF), or African Swine Fever (ASF) are found in livestock in the United States, regulatory officials will limit the movement of animals and animal products to try to control the devastating losses and spread of these very contagious diseases. 

The Secure Pork Supply (SPS) plan provides for producers’ continuity of business in the event of an outbreak.  Voluntary creation of a farm-specific SPS plan will allow swine farms with healthy animals to continue to transport pigs to market or to another swine farm under a movement permit.

University of Minnesota Extension’s swine team is collaborating with Dr. Dave Wright, Minnesota’s SPS coordinator appointed by the MN Board of Animal Health, to provide swine producers the opportunity to create their farm’s SPS plan. 

Ten Secure Pork Supply plan workshops for producers are scheduled across Minnesota for November and December to help swine farmers complete their plan.

The goals of the SPS workshops for producers include:  

1. Producers can complete the SPS plan with the least inconvenience to their schedule
2. Participants will know how to monitor their herd for signs of FMD, CSF, and ASF
3. Producers will go home with their own SPS plan in hand, and Minnesota swine producers will be ready with a functional disease response plan when a disease outbreak occurs. 

Click HERE for a printable brochure

Workshops will be held at these dates and sites:

• Wednesday, November 7, 1:00—4:00 p.m. - Ag Partners LeSueur Office, 901 N. 4th Street, Le Sueur, MN
• Thursday, November 8, 9:00 a.m.– 12:00 Noon - MN Pork Board Office,  151 St. Andrews Ct., Ste 810, Mankato, MN
• Thursday, November 8, 2:00—5:00 p.m. - Rice Co. Fairgrounds 4-H Building, 1900 Fairground Drive #17   Faribault, MN
• Monday, November 19, 1:00-4:00 p.m. - Lafayette Community Center, 540 7th Street, Lafayette, MN
• Monday, November 26, 1:00-4:00 p.m. - UM Regional Extension Office, 1527 Prairie Drive, Worthington, MN
• Tuesday, November 27, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 Noon - MN West Comm. & Tech. College, 1314 North Hiawatha, Mtg. Rm. 127, Pipestone, MN
• Wednesday, December 5, 1:00-4:00 p.m. - McLeod County Fairgrounds Meeting Room Building, 840 Century Avenue SW, Hutchinson, MN
• Thursday, December 6, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 Noon - United Farmers Cooperative (UFC) Office, 705 E 4th Street, Winthrop, MN   
• Thursday, December 13, 1:00-4:00 p.m. - Rushford Community Center, 43038 State Highway 30 West, Rushford Village, MN
• Friday, December 14, 9:00 a.m.—12:00 Noon - City Center Building, Council Meeting Room, 138 Highway Avenue South, Blooming Prairie, MN

Participants are asked to bring a personal or farm laptop, copies of the farm’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and the site’s national Premises ID Number and 911 address.

Cost for the workshop is $15/person which includes materials and refreshments. 

Registration is encouraged and is available online at z.umn.edu/SPSregistration or by calling 507.389.6714. 

If you have questions, please contact Diane DeWitte, UM Extension swine educator, at stouf002@umn.edu or 507.384.1745.