Zoetis Opens 2027 Caregiver Awards Nominations for Pig Care Teams

Zoetis has opened nominations for its 2027 Caregiver Awards, an annual programme recognising people whose work supports pig health, welfare and day-to-day performance across pork production systems.

Nominations are open through February 28, 2027. The awards recognise contributions across three categories: Caring Is Job One, which focuses on daily animal care and welfare; The Power of Teamwork, recognising collaboration across production teams and veterinary practices; and Inspiring the Future, which highlights mentorship and efforts to develop the next generation of pig caregivers.

Importance of Programme

The programme reflects the importance of frontline personnel in modern swine production. Farm managers, technicians and animal-care teams make frequent decisions involving animal observation, early identification of illness, treatment protocols, housing conditions and routine husbandry. Their work can influence health outcomes, welfare performance, production efficiency and the timely involvement of veterinary professionals.

The awards also draw attention to the human capabilities required to sustain consistent animal care. Technical knowledge is important, but effective communication, teamwork, mentorship and a strong welfare culture are equally relevant to daily farm operations.

Veterinarians are not eligible to receive the awards, although they may submit nominations for caregivers. Award recipients are expected to receive a trip to the 2027 World Pork Expo and recognition at a dedicated celebration in Des Moines, Iowa.

Importance for Swine Industry

For the swine industry, programmes of this kind can help make the contribution of frontline staff more visible. Recognition may also support recruitment and retention efforts in a sector where skilled labour, workforce development and consistent implementation of health protocols are continuing priorities.

The awards arrive amid growing attention to the relationship between animal welfare and production performance. Routine observation, prompt intervention and sound husbandry are central to preventing avoidable suffering and supporting healthier herds. These practices also complement veterinary oversight, vaccination, biosecurity and responsible antimicrobial use.

For animal-health companies, engagement with farm personnel offers a route to reinforce practical education and responsible animal-care practices. The value of recognition programmes, however, ultimately depends on how well they reflect meaningful improvements in everyday farm conditions.

Nominations for the 2027 programme provide pork producers and allied industry participants with an opportunity to recognise individuals and teams whose contributions might otherwise remain behind the scenes.