Pre-Survey Letters

SAMPLE PRESURVEY LETTER – SWINE LARGE OPERATION COMPONENT

Dear (Swine Producer's Name),

Food safety, environment and respiratory disease, these are matters of great importance to today's pork producer. Now more than ever, pork producers have exciting opportunities to compete in the global market, though paper thin profit margins demand a high level of productivity. To reach this goal, the pork industry needs objective, science-based information on diseases affecting swine production and trade. Beginning July 17, 2012, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will initiate the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) Swine 2012 study in 13 of the major hog producing states.

A representative of USDA, NASS, (State) Field Office will be contacting you in July or August about participating in this study. Pork producers will be asked to provide information regarding herd management, herd health and disease prevention practices. The Swine 2012 study will identify production practices and health measures that promote efficient production and improve product quality. Your participation in this study is essential so that (State) producers are properly and fairly represented in this national study. As with all NAHMS studies, your individual responses are kept strictly confidential and used only in combination with other responses to report Regional and U.S. estimates. This assures that no matter how large or small, the identity of participating operations cannot be determined when the results of the study are reported.

Swine 2012 is sponsored by NAHMS and endorsed by both the National Pork Board (NPB) and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV). Please take a minute to read the enclosed brochure for more information about the Swine 2012 study. We appreciate your cooperation in helping to provide a clear picture of swine health in the U.S. We look forward to visiting with you soon.

Sincerely,

Director

SAMPLE PRESURVEY LETTER – SWINE SMALL OPERATION COMPONENT

Dear (Swine Producer's Name),

Food safety, environment and respiratory disease, these are matters of great importance to today's pork producer. Now more than ever, pork producers have exciting opportunities to compete in the global market, though paper thin profit margins demand a high level of productivity. To reach this goal, the pork industry needs objective, science-based information on diseases affecting swine production and trade. Beginning July 17, 2012, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will initiate the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) Swine 2012 study in 31 states.

A representative of USDA, NASS, (State) Field Office will be contacting you in July or August about participating in this study. Pork producers will be asked to provide information regarding herd management, herd health and disease prevention practices. The Swine 2012 study will identify production practices and health measures that promote efficient production and improve product quality. Your participation in this study is essential so that (State) producers are properly and fairly represented in this national study. As with all NAHMS studies, your individual responses are kept strictly confidential and used only in combination with other responses to report Regional and U.S. estimates. This assures that no matter how large or small, the identity of participating operations cannot be determined when the results of the study are reported.

Swine 2012 is sponsored by NAHMS and endorsed by both the National Pork Board (NPB) and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV). Please take a minute to read the enclosed brochure for more information about the Swine 2012 study. We appreciate your cooperation in helping to provide a clear picture of swine health in the U.S. We look forward to visiting with you soon.

Sincerely,

Director