In Part 1 (Time to Shake Things Up in the Meat Business), speakers at the 2023 World Pork Expo talked about changing consumers’ mindset on pork loins. Here’s what the industry plans to do.
“What’s going to make headlines in the next USDA Hogs and Pigs Report are farrowing numbers,” says Lee Schulz of Iowa State University. He discussed the supply side of pork production at the 2023 World Pork Expo.
Experts from across the country came together at the 2023 World Pork Expo for an in-depth discussion on what the industry knows – and doesn’t know – about sow longevity and pig survivability.
If a FAD is diagnosed in the U.S., the industry will make tough decisions quickly to keep disease from spreading. If you happen to be where the disease is identified, chances are you won’t like some of those decisions.
Walking on pins and needles. That’s what U.S. pork producers are doing with no way to anticipate when or if a foreign animal disease (FAD) will enter the country.
“Managing endemic enteric pathogens in swine populations requires accurate case definitions, proper sampling and appropriate diagnostic testing,” says Eric Burrough, Iowa State Diagnostic Laboratory.
Farm workers can play a significant role in the transmission of influenza A virus within sow farms, according to Gustavo Lopez, DVM, a PhD candidate at the University of Minnesota.
Organizers are excited to hold the 2021 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference in-person as well as virtually, on Sept. 18-21 in St. Paul, Minn. The event includes a range of swine-health topics, including African swine fever.
Evolving strains of porcine circovirus (PCV) mean careful monitoring and updating management strategies are key to controlling disease associated with the virus, said Clayton Johnson, DVM.
By creating accurate case definitions and sampling protocols, veterinarians are more likely to successfully detect pathogens and identify treatment options for enteric disease control, said Eric Burrough, DVM.
Management has a strong influence on age and weight considerations when it comes to producing a quality weaned pig. The people as well as the processes play a critical role.
Weaning weight and age can vary from operation to operation because many factors must be considered. There are, however, some important rules of thumb.
Lameness is the leading cause of mortality in mid- to late-finishing pigs. Even though mortality has improved, it is getting harder and harder to make continuous improvements, says Mike Eisenmenger, DVM.
Health and management are necessary components in producing thrifty, quality weaned pigs. Focusing on females and paying attention to details can make all the difference.
Every weaned pig has an impact on an operation’s end result. Industry leaders discuss the factors that go into producing a thrifty, quality weaned pig.
Researchers want to move from monitoring disease in the U.S. pig population to actually forecasting if and when a potential disease will occur, said Kim VanderWaal, DVM.
For replacement gilts to be successful, the farm needs a well-established, well-managed and continually maintained plan, says Joel Sparks, DVM. The ultimate goal is to have well-prepared gilts to bring into the sow herd.
Emma Lasco says when it comes to pig care, catching issues early-on can help avoid bigger problems later. Individual Pig Care training should include a defined vocabulary for identifying at-risk pigs.
The feeling of energy and enthusiasm at World Pork Expo was omnipresent: People were glad to be together again. Farm Journal’s PORK captured a few quotes from speakers, attendees and exhibitors on several topics.
Rupert Claxton isn’t one to mince words. The meat director for Gira International, a consultancy and research firm, shot straight on trade —notably with China — during a presentation at the 2021 World Pork Expo.
Sustainability means different things to different people, says Brett Kaysen, vice-president of sustainability for the National Pork Board, but developing industry metrics on sustainable production is a valuable tool.
Labor ranks as one of the top issues facing U.S. pork producers, says Kerry Scott, program manager for másLabor. At the 2021 World Pork Expo, he shared programs that may help producers get the help they need.
The pork industry is experiencing a revolution in technology, but obstacles to using it to its full extent still exist, says Brandon Osborn with MetaFarms, speaking at the 2021 World Pork Expo.
Diagnosing and identifying a plan to treat scours as quickly as possible are critical to reducing morbidity and mortality in neonatal pigs, said Deb Murray, DVM, veterinary services manager for New Fashion Pork.
Water doesn’t get the attention it deserves because it is abundant, easy to access and inexpensive, but that will change in the future, said John Patience, PhD, professor of animal science at Iowa State University.
When used in conjunction with an M. hyo-closure program, exposing all or some part of the herd to M. hyo is often considered a crucial first step in the herd-closure process, says Amy Maschhoff, DVM, with The Maschhoffs.
The U.S. pork industry has seen an influx of influenza viruses in the last 10 to 15 years. That’s a major reason why influenza has become more difficult to control, said Montserrat Torremorell, DVM.
Multi-disciplinary collaboration by academia, industry partners and the veterinary community is improving the diagnostics and management of Streptococcus suis. How is that impacting productivity and animal well-being?
Water doesn’t get the attention it deserves because it is abundant, easy to access and inexpensive, but that will change in the future, said John Patience, PhD, professor of animal science at Iowa State University.
The pork industry has had a tremendous number of innovations over the years, said Joe Connor, DVM. He highlights innovation the pork industry is experiencing now or will see in the future in this two-part series.
The pork industry has had a tremendous number of innovations over the years, said Joe Connor, DVM. He highlights innovation the pork industry is experiencing now or will see in the future in this two-part series.
Who doesn't love walking into a farrowing room and seeing large, healthy litters of uniform pigs? Good health is one of the most important factors a quality weaned pig must have. Here are four key things to consider.
Batch farrowing used to be a common practice, but as farms got bigger, continuous-flow production became the norm. Now it appears batch farrowing is making a comeback, according to John Deen.
Getting pigs off to a good start is both an art and science, and even under the best of circumstances it can be challenging. Here are five key areas to for producers to focus on this year.
Multi-disciplinary collaboration by academia, industry partners and the veterinary community is improving the diagnostics for and management of Streptococcus suis, a key endemic bacterial pathogen of pigs.
How diverse are influenza A viruses circulating in U.S. swine herds? Tavis Anderson, PhD, says there's a great deal of diversity within the virus. His team is studying the factors driving this diversity.
Identifying a positive welfare state is a new way of measuring welfare, says Meghann Pierdon, VMD. The shift from how to prevent suffering to how to provide a positive state for animals has changed researchers' focus.
COVID-19 has caused excruciating issues for the pork industry. From market disruptions to pork producers having to make incredibly difficult decisions because of over-capacity, 2020 has been a year for the ages.
Influenza A virus in swine is one of the primary respiratory pathogens challenging pork production systems. One of the biggest factors that has continued to make it such an issue is its genetic diversity.
Extraordinary times call for performing ordinary practices with precision and purpose to maximize results. Producing quality weaned pigs is a good example. Three industry leaders share what it takes.
A romanticized view of the veterinary profession, gleaned from sources like the famous Brit, James Herriot’s novel “All Creatures Great and Small,” doesn’t always mesh with the reality.
With influenza A virus (IAV-S) in swine continuing to cause performance losses on U.S. pig farms, veterinarians have taken up the mantle to find solutions.
Tracheal sampling is a good way to determine if Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is present in a herd, but it’s invasive and can be difficult to accomplish. However, it may offer a valuable benefit, says Brandi Burton, DVM.