With foreign animal disease such as African swine fever closer than ever to the United States, the National Pork Board has launched its first-ever innovation challenge that deals with the potential need of mass carcass disposal. The challenge is seeking new and innovative methods of pig mortality disposal that go beyond the existing methods of burial, incineration, composting and landfills and provide pig farmers with more options.

Pig farmers are innovators and recognize the unfortunate need for practical, cost-effective and environmentally sound plans for pig mortality disposal as part of FAD preparedness efforts. Having these plans and solutions in place can help support pig farmers and their ability to continue operating.

Ideal solutions will solve the mortality disposal challenge and protect air/water quality, improve soil health and nutrients, and help with the overall sustainability of all natural resources. 

Successful submissions will be trialed as a pilot project to demonstrate how they can support pig farmers in mortality management. Ideas need to focus on solutions that keep all disposal protocols on a producer's single farm location.

Those who successfully submit ideas through the challenge's four tiers receive increasing monetary awards, meaning top innovators could receive up to $46,000. NPB will accept entries through July.

For more information and rules, visit the Innovation Challenge page.

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