The university of minnesota center for animal health and food safety will develop and promote a continuing education program for small and mixed animal veterinarians to increase awareness and…

The University of Minnesota's Center for Animal Health and Food Safety will develop and deliver a continuing education program for small and mixed animal veterinarians designed to increase awareness and diagnostic expertise in detecting and reporting high-consequence swine diseases. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025), this $223,020 cooperative agreement addresses a critical USDA priority to improve swine disease recognition and reporting in small-scale and non-commercial swine populations. The award, effective from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2027, will strengthen national preparedness for rapid detection and containment of swine diseases while protecting the economic interests of swine producers and rural communities.

The program directly supports APHIS's mission to protect U.S. agriculture from economically injurious animal diseases by equipping veterinarians with the knowledge and skills needed to identify disease outbreaks before they become widespread. By focusing on underserved veterinary practitioners in small and mixed animal practices, the initiative addresses a demonstrated gap in swine disease surveillance and reporting infrastructure that industry leaders have identified as essential to preventing costly production losses and maintaining food security across the national swine sector.

The university of minnesota center for animal health and food safety will develop and promote a continuing education program for small and mixed animal veterinarians to increase awareness and expertise to detect and report high consequence swine diseases. The project addresses a critical USDA priority and need identified by swine industry leaders to improve swine disease recognition and reporting in small-scale and non-commercial swine populations. This project benefits swine producers by strengthening national preparedness to quickly detect and contain swine diseases and prevent animal disease outbreaks that pose serious threats to swine production and animal health the project will help protect the livelihoods and economic opportunities of swine farmers and rural communities.