New Leadership Team Appointed at Swine Health Information Center to Head Disease Security

The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), a primary group responsible for tracking global pig health and farm security, has announced a new team of leaders to guide its upcoming research and safety programs.

The board appointed Joe Dykhuis of Dykhuis Farms, based in Hamilton, Michigan, as the new board president. Joining him in leadership is Dr. Jay Miller of The Maschhoffs, who takes on the role of vice president. Additionally, Trish Cook, a pork producer from Iowa, joins the board as its newest member.

Mission: Guarding the Farm Against Emerging Viruses

The leadership transition comes at a time when unexpected, mutating viruses threaten global food supply chains. Founded to safeguard herds from sudden biological hazards, the center uses shared health data, global monitoring, and targeted research to stop outbreaks before they spread.

Outgoing board members point out that the group’s most critical role moving through the rest of 2026 is ensuring the livestock industry is directly represented during global regulatory discussions. Past leaders noted that “being at the table” during high-level international policy talks allows the organization to shape fast, effective disease responses that protect both animal welfare and farm survival.

Turning Complex Science into Practical Farm Security

Rather than leaving advanced lab data locked away in academic circles, the center focuses on translating veterinary science into everyday, actionable tools for farmers.

The new leadership group will supervise key ongoing security priorities, including tracking dangerous PRRSV viral variants and identifying entry risks for emerging threats like Porcine Sapovirus or Mosquito-Borne illnesses. By keeping live data pipelines open between commercial farms and testing labs, the organization aims to keep domestic food supply grids secure from unexpected biological disruptions.