Mike Pearson takes a look at African Swine Fever and what the future holds for the swine industry.
African Swine Fever or ASF has been on an upward trend in the Dominican Republic this year.
It's become an endemic, despite efforts to stop the disease.
ASD positive tests declined 1.1 percent in the first 9 months of year and are down from 30 percent from when it was first detected in the country.
The USDA and a United Nations agency are working to reduce or eliminate ASF on the Hispanola Island.
However, it's difficult with the the neighboring country Haiti dealing with civil unrest.
This has lead to increased pork imports in the countries of Haiti and Dominican Republic.
Local pork production has declined 15 percent in the Dominican Republic.
Here in USA, proactive measures to stop ASF with education and other measures have been implemented to pig owners in an effort to protect national swine herd.
It hasn't been detected in USA, but in neighboring regions which has caused restricted travel regulations to stop it from getting here and intensive surveillance on the swine herds.
In Asia, Vietnam has implemented education and efforts to prevent the disease from entering the country leading up to the New Year to stabilize the food supply.
Farm Progress America is a daily look at key issues in agriculture. It is produced and presented by Mike Pearson, farm broadcaster and host of This Week in Agribusiness.