Dr. Brad Leuwerke has been named the 2026 Swine Practitioner of the Year by the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV), recognizing his outstanding service to pork producers and his leadership within the swine veterinary profession.
Leuwerke, a veterinarian with Swine Vet Center in St. Peter, Minnesota, works closely with pork producers across the Midwest, focusing on herd health management, disease prevention strategies, and improving production outcomes across modern swine systems.
Originally from a farm near Forest City, Iowa, Leuwerke developed an early connection to livestock production. He went on to earn both his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and a master’s degree in veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine from Iowa State University.
Since joining Swine Vet Center, Leuwerke has built a reputation for combining strong scientific knowledge with practical, farm-level decision making. His work often centers on sow herd health programs, nursery and grow-finish management strategies, and helping producers navigate evolving disease challenges across commercial production systems.
Veterinarians play a critical role in today’s pork industry, helping producers manage herd health, implement biosecurity programs, and maintain high standards of animal care while supporting efficient production. Leuwerke’s work reflects that evolving role, where veterinary expertise helps guide both animal health and long-term production success.
The Swine Practitioner of the Year Award recognizes veterinarians who demonstrate exceptional effectiveness in delivering veterinary services to pork producers while advancing the profession.
Recognition of leaders like Dr. Leuwerke highlights the important partnership between veterinarians and producers as the pork industry continues to evolve.
SwineWeb congratulates Dr. Brad Leuwerke on this well-deserved recognition and his continued contributions to swine health and pork production.
