The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has completed Phase 1 of the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), according to Eric Bush, DVM, veterinary pathologist at USDA’s Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health in Fort Collins, CO.

“Names of participating producers have been turned over to USDA’s Veterinary Services and producers can expect to be contacted this fall beginning Sept. 10,” he explains.

When contacted, producers will be invited to participate in Phase 2, which entails completing a 45-minute interview on swine health and management, Bush says.

“They will also have the opportunity to sign up for free testing, including testing a grain sample for particle size analysis, testing blood from sows or finishers for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome and/or testing fecal samples for salmonella,” he adds. Results from the testing of feed, blood and/or feces will be returned to producers.

“Information from the fifth NAHMS swine study will aid the National Pork Board/National Pork Producers Council to facilitate trade and inform policy debates with science-based information,” Bush states.

“I wholeheartedly encourage any producer who can participate in the NAHMS Swine 2012 study to do so,” says Jim Niewold, Illinois pork producer who has been active in the NAHMS projects.