The Team Pork initiative was created to bridge the gap between all sectors of the pork industry—Commercial, Show Pig, and Niche—by fostering collaboration, building trust, and advancing unified preparedness. Through a streamlined approach to disease preparedness we empower producers, exhibitors, and stakeholders to take advantage of these producer led programs on their own farms to protect animal health and business continuity ensuring a bright future for the U.S. pork supply.
Our step by step pathway approach walks you through the following programs; AgView, Secure Pork Supply, and the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan.
Team Pork is an initiative funded by the Pork Checkoff, through a State Grant awarded to the Kentucky Pork Producers Association.
How Can I Do My Part?
Every pig owner plays an important role in protecting the swine industry from domestic and foreign diseases. By taking a few proactive steps today you can make a significant difference in your farms disease prevention, mitigating disease spread, and supporting a rapid response if an outbreak occurs. Follow our step by step pathway below to prepare your farm.
Obtain or verify your Premises Identification Number (Prem ID)
A Prem ID is the foundation of foreign animal disease preparedness. It uniquely identifies the location where your pigs are housed, allowing animal health officials to respond quickly and accurately during a disease outbreak. These are maintained through your state animal health official to find yours click here.
Create an AgView Account to Maintain Accurate Digital Records
Maintaining current location and movement records in AgView improves traceability and ensures critical information is readily available to your state animal health official during a foreign animal disease response. Accurate animal identification and movement records help animal health officials quickly trace potential disease exposure, reduce unnecessary movement restrictions, and support the continuity of business for your operation and the U.S. pork industry. To create an account and start uploading movements click here.
Develop your farms Biosecurity Plan by utilizing a Secure Pork Supply Plan
Practicing strong everyday biosecurity practices—such as controlling visitor access, cleaning and disinfecting equipment, and limiting contact with outside pigs—are your first line of defense against disease. Developing a Secure Pork Supply (SPS) Plan helps identify and address biosecurity gaps before an outbreak occurs while positioning your operation to support continuity of business through permitted animal movements during a foreign animal disease event. To download a template that works for your farm type click here.
Achieve U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (U.S. SHIP) Certification
If you have completed the first three steps—having an accurate Premises Identification Number (PremID), creating an AgView account and maintain accurate movement records, and developing a Secure Pork Supply (SPS) Plan—you have already completed the key components needed for U.S. SHIP certification. Certification brings these preparedness efforts together into a nationally recognized program that demonstrates your commitment to biosecurity, traceability, and animal health, while strengthening your operation's readiness for a foreign animal disease response. To obtain your certification contact your states Official State Agency, find contact information for yours by clicking here.
Maintain your Pork Quality Assurance (PQA®) Certification
Ongoing education is essential to protecting your operation and the U.S. pork industry. Maintaining an active PQA® certification ensures you stay current on best practices for animal care, biosecurity, and responsible production. Participating in producer education programs and foreign animal disease preparedness trainings helps you remain informed about emerging threats, new resources, and response strategies, ensuring your operation is prepared for the future. To begin your PQA training click here. To stay up to date on the swine industry click here.
Working together, every producer—from commercial operations to show pig and niche producers—can help strengthen the industry's ability to prevent, detect, and respond to diseases.
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