Latest News From Sara Brown

A truck carrying finishing pigs overturned on an Interstate curve near downtown Louisville at about 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, report local police.

“It seems to me that the folks who want to buy vegan burgers...they would appreciate it not being labeled as meat or a meat food product,” said Andy Gibson, Mississippi’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce.

As crop farmers debated the July World Agricultural Supply and Demands Estimates (WASDE) report, livestock producers anxiously watched for changes in the 2019 red meat and poultry production forecast.

The global market for porcine vaccines is projected to expand at an astounding 7% from 2017 to 2025, says a new report from Transparency Market Research. The market was valued at $1.784 billion in 2016.

In August, owners of trucks transporting pigs without GPS trackers might face serious fines in Taiwan, an action the country’s Council of Agriculture has taken to prevent the spread of African swine fever (ASF).

“Truck stop” eating has changed with the increasing number of offerings beyond traditional snack and beverages. Think quick breakfast, fresh food options and takeout or sit-down full dinners.

Protein is changing consumer eating habits and promises big opportunity for pork producers. But new insights from the National Pork Board and the Pork Checkoff show pork only holds a small portion of menu offerings.

Inventory of all hogs and pigs on June 1, 2019, was 75.5 million head, up 4% from June 1, 2018, and up 1% from March 1, 2019. This is highest June 1 inventory since estimates began in 1964.

Hormel is developing a vegan pizza topping and other plant-based products to capitalize on apparent demand for non-meat foods.

Bourbon Bacon Pig Butter is what you need to take your barbeques to the culinary extreme this summer. It’s great on grilled pork chops, vegetables and more. Enjoy!

When we decided to ask for the next big bacon idea, we knew food would always have an edge, and our readers agreed. 

Colorado-based Niman Ranch and ButcherBox, an online meat delivery company, have partnered to offer a new digital storefront to meet digital consumer demands.

Police in Thomasville, N.C., are taking a little bit of ribbing over their photos of a runaway pot-belly pig, taken into police custody this week. 

A growing school district, an active housing boom and rising pay scales are just a few examples of how the new Prestage Foods of Iowa pork processing plant in Eagle Grove, Iowa, is impacting the local economy.

While African swine fever (ASF) rages in China, Poland has reported only three outbreaks this year in commercial pig operations. But the latest outbreak indicates the disease is far from over. 

Listen in as Pat McGonegle gives us a “state of the Iowa pork industry” for summer 2019.

Adrian Austin, our cover story from the May issue of Farm Journal’s PORK and secretary of the National Junior Swine Association, is one of the youth leaders helping to run The Exposition hog show.

China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs urges credit providers to provide credit guarantee services to breeding and large-scale farms.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota in collaboration with the Minnesota Pork Board would like to learn more about how quality of water supplied to nursery pigs might affect their health and performance.

North Carolina’s new water quality requirements for large hog farms will not take effect this year as intended under the state Senate’s proposed budget plan. A one-year delay is needed, budget writers say.

Higher tariffs on U.S. exports has weighed heavily on profits, says leaders of Chinese pork producer, WH Group, who owns Smithfield Foods.

China’s second-largest pork producer, Muyuan Foods says it will continue to increase production this year, despite the challenges of ASF, as it bets on the reduced pork supply and higher prices to boost profits.

Many Americans gag at the idea of maggots, locusts or other insect-proteins. But Louwrens Hoffman, a meat science professor at University of Queensland, says unusual protein sources might be needed to meet future demand.

The bacon craze has no limits it seems! What do you think will be the next item to add bacon?

Japan is the largest value market and second-largest volume market for U.S. pork.

Just east of Lisbon, Portugal, a company called Raporal S.A. is a leader in pork production. It’s 10,000 sow herd produces 29 weaned pigs per sow per year.

“The safeguard trigger is obviously not good,” says Gerardo Rodriguez, USMEF regional marketing director. “But this is a result of more interest in finding U.S. pork in Panama.”

In its second quarter profit statement, Tyson projects its U.S. pork, chicken and beef units will all benefit from increased demand due to African swine fever outbreaks.

Pig hearts are about the same size as human hearts, which is why scientists used them to develop a battery-free pacemaker that generates energy as the heart beats. The discovery could lead to “implants for life.”

To prevent the spread of African swine fever, the U.S. Grains Council have updated their biosecurity protocols to ensure a safe pork supply.

To prevent the spread of African swine fever, the U.S. Grains Council have updated their biosecurity protocols to ensure a safe pork supply.

Smithfield Foods, Inc., and Roeslein Alternative Energy (RAE) have formed a joint venture called Monarch Bioenergy to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) on Smithfield’s hog farms in Missouri.

Smithfield Foods, Inc., and Roeslein Alternative Energy (RAE) have formed a joint venture called Monarch Bioenergy to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) on Smithfield’s hog farms in Missouri.

After the cancellation of the World Pork Expo, PETA plans to display a new billboard, with a anti-pork production message, near the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

The Nebraska Pork Producers Association is proud to welcome participants in the 2019 Pork Leadership Program. Each participant shares unique experiences that shape their perspective based on their particular career path as well as their personal involvements and interests.

Easter dinner might cost a little bit more this year. It’s not just the candy. Ham, the prize of the dinnerplate, is also on the uptick, thanks to a surge of demand from China and other export markets.

Easter dinner might cost a little bit more this year. It’s not just the candy. Ham, the prize of the dinnerplate, is also on the uptick, thanks to a surge of demand from China and other export markets.

The U.S. is well positioned to help fill any additional need that China has for pork, said Joe Schuele, U.S. Meat Export Federation, “but we’d be in a lot better position if we weren’t facing a tariff that’s five times higher than everybody else.”

The U.S. is well positioned to help fill any additional need that China has for pork, said Joe Schuele, U.S. Meat Export Federation, “but we’d be in a lot better position if we weren’t facing a tariff that’s five times higher than everybody else.”

Is progress being made to create a vaccine bank to protect agriculture from foreign animal diseases? Liz Wagstrom, chief veterinarian for the National Pork Producers Council, gives an update on the progress.

Is progress being made to create a vaccine bank to protect agriculture from foreign animal diseases? Liz Wagstrom, chief veterinarian for the National Pork Producers Council, gives an update on the progress.

Here’s five songs and four podcasts to add to your #plant19 playlist:

Analyzing final harvest data, hog manure can be a viable sidedressing option for farmers in tough application situations, according to Melissa Wilson, University of Minnesota Extension specialist.

Analyzing final harvest data, hog manure can be a viable sidedressing option for farmers in tough application situations, according to Melissa Wilson, University of Minnesota Extension specialist.

Livestock continued to show a strong presence on U.S. farms and ranches, according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Livestock production in 2017 totaled $195 billion, up 7% from 2012.

More than 125 pork producers participated in the Spring Legislative Fly-in to talk trade issues with state and national leaders. Four central priorities remain to get the pork industry free access to foreign markets.

“This is a huge decision and one that they didn't come about lightly. I know that many industry experts and leaders have been thinking about this for a very long time,” said Jennifer Shike in an AgDay interview with Clinton Griffiths.

“This is a huge decision and one that they didn't come about lightly. I know that many industry experts and leaders have been thinking about this for a very long time,” said Jennifer Shike in an AgDay interview with Clinton Griffiths.

After snow, ice, rain and flooding hammered farmers and ranchers in March, another round of late winter weather is on the way promising more snow, severe weather and flooding.

As this area of equipment evolves, keep safety in mind. ATVs and UTVs both offer good utility on the farm and they can respond differently in times of challenge.