It was just an exercise, but it highlighted one of the most frightening questions Iowa livestock producers could face: What would happen if the state’s $8 billion pork industry were hit with African swine fever? Iowa and 13 other states spent four days testing how they would respond to an outbreak. “It’s not inevitable that we’ll get this” disease, Iowa Secretary Mike Naig said. “How quickly can you respond – how quickly can you address sick animals on a site – will determine how quickly you recover in the long run.” (Des Moines Register)