Latest News From JoAnn Alumbaugh

Time to Shake Things Up in the Meat Business – Part 1
Time to Shake Things Up in the Meat Business – Part 1

Pork loins should be the market driver but instead they’ve been a price drag for years. Here’s why, and what the industry is doing about it.

Supply Outlook: Fewer Sows Farrowing than in 2014 and 2015? - Part 2
Supply Outlook: Fewer Sows Farrowing than in 2014 and 2015? - Part 2

“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.

“All Star Team” Discusses Pig Survivability
“All Star Team” Discusses Pig Survivability

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.

Discouraging Outlook Ahead but Bright Spots Exist – Part 1
Discouraging Outlook Ahead but Bright Spots Exist – Part 1

Economists share their insights at World Pork Expo and the bottom line doesn’t look pretty. Still, there are things producers can do to ease the pain.

Disposal Options in an FAD Outbreak
Disposal Options in an FAD Outbreak

Besides the actual depopulation itself, determining how to dispose of carcasses is also a difficult decision for pork producers.

Foreign Animal Disease and Depopulation Options
Foreign Animal Disease and Depopulation Options

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.

If a Foreign Disease Happened Here
If a Foreign Disease Happened Here

As a foreign animal disease threat in the U.S. lingers, what protocols and prodecures do producers follow should a worse-case scenario occur?

Getting Ahead of an FAD Outbreak
Getting Ahead of an FAD Outbreak

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.

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Advances in Sampling Offer Greater Success in Enteric Disease Control

“Managing endemic enteric pathogens in swine populations requires accurate case definitions, proper sampling and appropriate diagnostic testing,” says Eric Burrough, Iowa State Diagnostic Laboratory.

People Play a Key Role in Influenza Control
People Play a Key Role in Influenza Control

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.

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African Swine Fever, PRRS Among Hot Topics at 2021 Leman Conference

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.

Sundberg: Ramping Up African Swine Fever Preparedness and Prevention
Sundberg: Ramping Up African Swine Fever Preparedness and Prevention

Industry groups are ramping up preparedness and prevention protocols in an effort to keep African swine fever from impacting the U.S. swine herd.

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Five Steps for Porcine Circovirus Control

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.

Advances in Sampling for More Effective Enteric Disease Control
Advances in Sampling for More Effective Enteric Disease Control

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, Nutrition Influence Age and Weight Considerations
Management, Nutrition Influence Age and Weight Considerations

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.

Age and Weight Impact Quality Weaned Pig Production
Age and Weight Impact Quality Weaned Pig Production

Weaning weight and age can vary from operation to operation because many factors must be considered. There are, however, some important rules of thumb.

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How to Tackle Mortality-Causing Lameness in Finishing Hogs

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.

Emphasize Good Health, Management to Improve Thriftiness
Emphasize Good Health, Management to Improve Thriftiness

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.

Thriftiness is an Important Component of a Quality Weaned Pig
Thriftiness is an Important Component of a Quality Weaned Pig

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. 

Forecasting Swine Disease Outbreaks
Forecasting Swine Disease Outbreaks

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.

Well-Developed Gilts Create Foundational Success
Well-Developed Gilts Create Foundational Success

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.

Defining Influenza – A Work in Progress
Defining Influenza – A Work in Progress

Understanding how flu viruses are identified can help fine-tune swine vaccine strategies, says Micah Jansen, DVM.

10 Farm Transition and Estate Planning Mistakes
10 Farm Transition and Estate Planning Mistakes

You spend time implementing best management practices on your farm – shouldn’t you do the same for your succession plan?

Learn Your ABCs to Improve Pig Treatment Outcomes
Learn Your ABCs to Improve Pig Treatment Outcomes

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.

Quotes from World Pork Expo
Quotes from World Pork Expo

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.

5 Takeaways from an Export Expert
5 Takeaways from an Export Expert

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: Where is the Pork Industry Headed?
Sustainability: Where is the Pork Industry Headed?

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.

Who Will Work on Our Farms?
Who Will Work on Our Farms?

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.

5 Steps to the Data Evolution Process
5 Steps to the Data Evolution Process

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.

Rapid Scours Diagnosis Key to Limiting Piglet Mortality
Rapid Scours Diagnosis Key to Limiting Piglet Mortality

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: An Overlooked Factor in Pig Health
Water: An Overlooked Factor in Pig Health

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.

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Controlled Exposure to M. hyo Shows Promise for Eliminating the Pathogen

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.

Torremorell: Proven Benefits of Influenza Vaccination

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.

Iowa Scientists Focused on Diagnosing, Managing Streptococcus suis in Pigs

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: Essential Nutrient Often Overlooked in Pigs

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.

Connor: Innovation Driven By Necessity and Opportunity, Part Two

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.

Connor: Innovation Driven By Necessity and Opportunity, Part One

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.

Producing a Quality Weaned Pig: Focus on Health

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 Requires ‘Different Mindset’

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.

Get Weaned Pigs Off to a Good Start

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.

Diagnosing and Managing Streptococcus Suis in Pigs

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.

Iowa Scientist Sees ‘A Lot of Genetic Diversity’ in Swine Influenza Viruses

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.

3 Ways to Assess Your Herd's Positive Welfare State
3 Ways to Assess Your Herd's Positive Welfare State

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.

Bill Even: U.S. Pork Industry Learns from Adversity and Looks to Future
Bill Even: U.S. Pork Industry Learns from Adversity and Looks to Future

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. 

Genetic Diversity Makes Swine Influenza a Challenge for Producers
Genetic Diversity Makes Swine Influenza a Challenge for Producers

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.

The Benefits of a Quality Weaned Pig
The Benefits of a Quality Weaned Pig

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. 

What No One Told You in Vet School: Take Care of Yourself
What No One Told You in Vet School: Take Care of Yourself

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.

Veterinarians Answer Questions on Influenza
Veterinarians Answer Questions on Influenza

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 for M. Hyo May Hold New Benefits
Tracheal Sampling for M. Hyo May Hold New Benefits

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.

Take a Process-Driven Approach to Influenza Control
Take a Process-Driven Approach to Influenza Control

Should U.S. pork producers strive to produce an influenza-negative pig?