Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) continues to be the most economically significant disease challenge facing the U.S. swine industry—costing producers more than $1 billion annually in lost productivity.
But while the impact of PRRS is well understood, the industry has long faced a more difficult question:
How do you respond effectively, consistently, and with confidence during an outbreak?
That’s where the PRRS Outbreak Management Program (POMP) is changing the conversation.
From Reaction to Data-Driven Response
Led by the Field Epidemiology team at Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, POMP was built to move producers beyond reactive decision-making and toward structured, data-backed outbreak management.
Instead of relying on fragmented insights or past experience alone, participating producers gain access to:
- Diagnostic PCR testing
- Whole-genome sequencing to identify specific PRRSV strains
- Standardized outbreak tracking and analysis
The goal is simple but powerful:
Replace uncertainty with clarity.
Building the Industry’s Largest PRRS Dataset
One of the most significant contributions of POMP is the scale of its data.
To date, the program has compiled:
- Over 650 documented outbreaks
- Across 21 states
- With consistent data on onset, intervention strategies, and recovery timelines
This creates something the industry has historically lacked:
A shared intelligence framework for understanding PRRS in real-world conditions.
Not in theory.
Not in isolation.
But across diverse production systems and environments.
Why This Matters for Producers
PRRS outbreaks are not just biological events—they are operational disruptions.
They impact:
- Pig flow and production schedules
- Labor and management focus
- Financial performance
- Long-term herd health strategies
What POMP offers is not just diagnostics—it offers context.
- What worked in similar outbreaks?
- How long did recovery take?
- What interventions led to better outcomes?
This transforms outbreak response from:
“What should we do?”
Into:
“What has been proven to work?”
A Collaborative Industry Effort
POMP is supported by industry sponsors, allowing participating producers to access diagnostic tools and data collection at no cost during an outbreak.
That model reflects a broader shift in the industry:
Collaboration over isolation.
Because when it comes to PRRS, the value of shared data and coordinated response extends far beyond any single operation.
Open Enrollment for Breeding Herds
Enrollment in POMP is open to any commercial breeding herd experiencing a PRRS outbreak.
For producers navigating one of the most challenging events in swine production, the program offers a structured path forward—grounded in science, supported by data, and built on real-world experience.
Final Thought
PRRS is not going away.
But the way the industry responds to it is evolving.
Programs like POMP signal a shift toward:
- Greater transparency
- Better data utilization
- More consistent decision-making
And ultimately:
A more resilient and informed swine industry.
