Former Tyson swine expert joins SHIC
Russ Nugent, PhD, has joined the US Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) board of directors, representing the US National Pork Board (NPB).
Nugent’s training and life experience have led to his interest in disease prevention, biosecurity, and production issues, noted the SHIC. He also views sustainability as a related issue.
He spent nearly three decades working in Tyson’s live swine division. There he cultivated his core pork production experiences, knowledge, and contacts. He began as a geneticist with the company and quickly moved to a role overseeing the technical service aspects of Tyson production systems. His responsibilities included herd health, risk management around disease issues, and biosecurity, said SHIC.
For the last 20 years, Nugent has also been involved with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, NPB, the American Society of Animal Science, and more, reported the organization.
He has been active as well in relation to tackling the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) in the US and was serving on the NPB swine health committee during the height of the outbreak. He is currently is engaged in African swine fever (ASF) prevention efforts through engagement on a range of task forces and other groups.