Trade barriers limit U.S. ag exports, which are vital to America’s farmers, ranchers and the overall U.S. economy, supporting about 1 million jobs. For pork producers, exports contribute significantly to the bottom line.

As the U.S. swine industry shifts toward improving gut health in newly weaned pigs to decrease mortality rates, a K-State student is studying ways to incorporate low acid binding ingredients into swine diets.

Political unrest, a healthy ag economy and the start of an election year. These are all reasons economists in the October Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor think it could 2025 before Congress passes a new farm bill.

China’s live hog price fell almost 7% on Monday from a week ago, the biggest weekly decline this year, as fresh disease outbreaks led farms to send more pigs to slaughter for an already over-supplied market.

Cash-traded weaner pig reported volume was above average this past week, with 63,895 head reported. Cash weaner pig reported prices were $23.42, down $0.64 per head from last week.

The latest USDA report shows a 12.8% of U.S. households were food insecure in 2022, a jump from 10.2% in 2021 and the largest annual increase in USDA’s hunger measure since 2008.