Describe current U.S. swine production practices including general management practices, housing practices, productivity, disease prevention, and mortality for five phases of production: gestation, farrowing, nursery, grow/finish and wean-to-finish;

Describe trends in swine health and management practices;

Determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for select respiratory, neurologic, gastrointestinal, systemic and food-borne pathogens found in weaned market hogs;

Describe antibiotic usage patterns in weaned market hogs to control and treat disease and promote growth;

Evaluate presence of or exposure to select pathogens and characterize isolated organisms from the collection of biological specimens; and

Estimate the economic cost of a selected respiratory, neurologic, gastrointestinal, systemic, or food-borne pathogen found in commercial swine herds.

Direct producer education;

Identify research gaps;

Facilitate education of future producers and veterinarians;

Assess quality assurance programs; and

Help with policy formation.