Latest News From AgWeb Guest Editor

New research has yielded several key findings on what farmers know about water-related issues, their concern around water resources, and conservation actions they take.

As rain pushes corn planting season back yet again, farmers may be better off sticking with poor stands than replanting, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Bill Wiebold.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Economist Erin Borror says recent trade developments with Japan, Mexico and Canada, are very important breakthroughs for the U.S. red meat industry.

New research from University of Illinois meat scientists proves cooking pork to the new USDA standard of 145 degrees Fahrenheit can improve taste, juiciness and tenderness.  

A king-sized candy bar. A few more zeros in your bank account. A truck with more horsepower. Bigger is always better. But is that true when it comes to the size of pigs? 

OPC’s Bacon Vending Machine took top honors in the Best New and Unusual Tactic category of the Pollie Awards.

Preliminary results show statistically significant correlation between PCV3 and the clinical sign of fetal death as well as histological lesions of myocarditis, vasculitis of the heart, and vasculitis of the spleen.

County and state fairs will be in full swing very soon, giving 4-H and FFA members the opportunity to show off another year of hard work. In addition to catching up with friends and competing in the show ring, fairs allow us to connect and engage with the general public.

Looking at hog sales in October 2019 using October 2019 futures the weaner breakeven was $99.70, up $12.61 for the week.

What are the implications of corn and soybean planted acres on the prospects for swine feed costs the rest of this year?

Meat labeling, documentation and other technical issues still present significant obstacles to growing beef and pork exports in several South American markets.

Last December’s early onset of winter weather combined with heavy snow cover may mean some manure storage facilities are nearing capacity. Spring rain has a way of making spring field work difficult, slowing the progress of emptying in-ground manure storages. What to do?   

“Sustainability” is more than just a buzzword to farmers and ranchers. The term has many different definitions, but to the animal agriculture community, it means respecting the land and conserving resources so we can pass profitable farms on to the next generation.

Cash traded weaner pig volume was above average this week with 50,115 head being reported which is 132 percent of the 52-week average.

It is good to have your own opinion, but not your own facts.

2018 was a record-breaking year for U.S. exports to the Philippines, with pork exports up 23% in volume and beef exports up 39%.

Convenience stores account for a rapidly increasing share of food sales across the world, including in Mexico.

USDA reports live hog prices in January and February averaged below $40 for the first time in over a decade, says Chris Hurt, Purdue University.

The National Pork Board today named Norman Bessac, 35-year veteran of the fresh meat industry from Tyson Fresh Meats, as its new Vice President of International Marketing.

Looking at hog sales in September 2019 using October 2019 futures the weaner breakeven was $47.32, up $2.91 for the week.

Is a job on your farm just a means to a paycheck? Your business needs to be much more than that. Your business needs leaders who will take ownership in the operation.

Looking at hog sales in September 2019 using October 2019 futures the weaner breakeven was $44.40, down $13.44 for the week.

Some people claim that raising livestock through FFA and 4-H hardens the hearts of our industry’s young people. Yet, if you have been involved in these organizations, you know it does just the opposite.

Development of an emerging technology promising major animal health and environmental benefits is stalled at the U.S. FDA, prompting NPPC to renew its call for USDA regulatory oversight of gene editing for livestock.

Francis Forst, outgoing chairman of the Missouri Pork Association, presented the Outstanding Legislator Award to Representative John Wiemann (R-103rd District) during the 2019 Missouri Pork Expo on Feb. 12.

Will hemp lead to happier cows? It’s too early to say, says Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.

Cash-traded weaner pig reported volume was above average this past week, with 42,801 head reported. Cash weaner pig reported prices were $56.79, down $4.17 per head from last week.

Meat scientist tackles the topic of pork quality and what it means in our industry today.

The Missouri Pork Association invites producers, suppliers and distributors to the 2019 Missouri Pork Expo.

Cash-traded feeder pig reported volume was below average this past week, with 5,400 head reported. Cash feeder pig reported prices were $71.45, up $1.64 per head from last week.

PorkBridge and SowBridge programs allow owners, managers and employees to increase their knowledge and skills without needing to leave the farm.

Cash traded weaner pig volume was above average this week, despite lower cash prices at $60.86, down $2.91 from a week ago.

Looking at hog sales in July 2019 using July 2019 futures the weaner breakeven was $64.99, down $2.23 for the week.

Cash traded weaner pig prices were $66.46, up $4.34 from a week ago.

Scientist sheds light on the science of pork cookery

University of Missouri Extension researchers are among the recipients of a new five-year, $4.34 million grant from USDA to study water and nutrient recycling, says MU Extension agricultural engineer Teng Lim.

USDA's World Agricultura Supply and Demand Estimates for November projects lower production and reduced exports for both corn and soybeans but corn should see smaller ending stocks.

While Colombia's domestic pork production has been steadily growing in recent years, it cannot keep with the rapid growth in consumption - which creates excellent opportunities for the U.S. industry.

USMEF opened its annual conference with a status report on the current state of U.S. beef, pork and lamb exports, followed by a discussion of trade policy issues shaping the outlook for exports in 2019 and beyond.

The U.S. and Phillippines have made good progress on several key trade issues of specific interest to the U.S. red meat industry.

“Overqualified.” This is a term that everyone has heard of, but is it something that HR even considers these days? Maybe it is time to look at so-called overqualified people in a different way.

Ask questions that will help you complete the puzzle.

University of Missouri Extension will hold workshops throughout the state on how to attract and keep quality farm laborers.

After recent seminar with Mexican meat industry officials, USMEF says education of inspectors is key to keeping meat trade open with Mexico.

The What, When, How and Who of Personality Assessments

The recent rally in soybean prices leaves the question of which way prices are headed as we continue into the 2018-19 marketing year, says University of Illinois agricultural economist Todd Hubbs.

The increasing number of disease outbreaks are spurring the U.S. pork industry’s focus and collaboration on finding new ways to help protect the domestic herd from costly foreign animal diseases (FADs).

August pork export volume was down 1% from last year at 182,372 mt, while export value fell 3% to $494.1 million.

Jules Pretty will discuss sustainable intensification of agriculture systems and how it offers synergistic opportunities for the co-production of agricultural outcomes, at the Agronomy and Crop Societies annual meeting.

The pork outlook looked bleak in August. Fear of large pork supplies and Mexican and Chinese tariffs appeared disastrous. The outlook is still suggesting losses this fall and winter but much less than thought in August.