I love bacon and I really enjoy putting a pork loin on the grill. However, I'm bracing for higher prices at the meat counter.

That's a situation we are currently faced with due to a virus that pork producers are encountering among their animals. And the problem goes beyond prices at the grocery store.

The rapid spread of a swine virus is forcing officials in the Dakotas to take extra precautions for pig shows at county and state fairs.

The Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus spreads through pig manure. It's not harmful to humans but is often deadly to piglets.

South Dakota 4H weigh-in competitions that bring swine together will be cancelled for the season. Student exhibitors will be able to forego their county fair and go to the state fair to avoid swine comingling.

North Dakota's pork producer trade group earlier lobbied for the suspension of the show pig season. North Dakota will move forward, providing safety recommendations for show attendees.

The virus has been in the country for less than a year and already has a reported effect on the cost of pork.

Source: Associated Press

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