Improve swine traceability by implementing low frequency radio frequency identificat ION (RFID) eartag readers in key swine industry segments

The National Pork Board received a $1.0 million Cooperative Agreement award from 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), effective September 15, 2025, through September 14, 2026. The award funds the implementation of low-frequency radio frequency identification (RFID) eartag reader technology to enhance swine traceability across critical industry segments, including exhibition swine shows and fairs, cull sow slaughter plants, cull sow resorting facilities, and USDA-approved livestock markets.

Under this cooperative agreement, the National Pork Board will work directly with swine industry premises that handle cull sows and exhibition swine to purchase, distribute, and install RFID tag readers where applicable. By improving traceability through this technological infrastructure, the award delivers comprehensive benefits to the swine industry and state and federal animal health officials by providing more complete, accurate, and timely animal health and movement information. This enhanced data capability supports disease surveillance, outbreak response, and overall agricultural biosecurity objectives.

These segments include; exhibition swine shows and fairs, cull SOW slaughter plants, cull SOW resorting facilities, and USDA approved livestock markets. The awardee will work with swine industry premises TH at handle cull sows and exhibition swine to purchase, distribute, and install (if applicable) low frequency RFID tag readers. Improving traceability will broadly benefit the swine industry and state and federal animal health officials by providing more complete, accurate and timely information.