Latest News From University of Illinois

What began in 2003 as the North American PRRS Symposium has grown in size and focus. Here's a look at a recent milestone.

In August, two U.S. surgical teams announced successful experimental kidney transplant from transgenic pigs into brain-dead human recipients. Jim Lowe, DVM, is on the team on Makana’s KidneyX Prize Competition Award.

Honoring the 49-year career of the beef production professor and livestock judging icon, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will dedicate the “Dr. Doug Parrett Memorial Arena” in the historic Stock Pavilion.

The USDA’s September Hogs and Pigs report places the Sept. 1 inventory of all hogs and pigs at 74.3 million head—a slight surprise, given pre-report estimates, according to agricultural economist Jason Franken.

A new study examines how Americans acquired food at various points during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how those activities changed over time as case numbers fluctuated.

A new co-product of cheese production has recently become available as an alternative source of protein and amino acids in pig diets. University of Illinois researchers share the results of two recent experiments.

Research shows high-shear dry soybean expellers contain more digestible amino acids and energy compared with soybean meal if fed to growing pigs.

University of Illinois researchers set out to see if including rye in diets containing corn and soybean meal without or with microbial phytase improves the apparent total tract digestibility of phosphorus and calcium. 

“Although the number is down 1% from last December, it is generally a continuation of the industry expansion that has been ongoing since mid-2014,” says Jason Franken, ag economist at Western Illinois University.

According to new research, the element seems to enhance pigs’ ability to utilize fat after absorption, resulting in increased energy utilization of the entire diet.

According to research from the University of Illinois, excess leucine in pig diets can decrease protein synthesis and reduce feed intake.

Given greater oil-extraction efficiencies at corn-ethanol plants, the resulting co-products, DDGS, are lower in fat. That means less energy for pigs consuming DDGS as part of their diet.

While December futures prices struggle to break through $4, the potential for a smaller crop holds the promise of a price rally despite weak demand.

Last week’s price rally in the soybean market relied on the prospects of easing trade tensions with China.

Research shows reducing protein in diets for weanling pigs may reduce diarrhea, comparable to pigs fed antibiotic growth promoters to help reduce diarrhea.

USDA’s August crop production forecast delivered a shock to corn markets with much larger production than expected. Market participants continue to question the crop size, says agricultural economist Todd Hubbs.

Strengthening basis levels indicate supply issues to come if the dry, hot weather persists over large areas of the Corn Belt, according to University of Illinois agricultural economist Todd Hubbs. 

Corn prices held steady last week after the bearish WASDE report projected a 200 million-bushel increase in 2018-19 ending stocks.

As the U.S. administration continues to negotiate a trade deal with China, the prospect of a resolution looms larger for corn and soybean export potential in 2019. 

Graduates of the Executive Veterinary Program report that the sessions equip them to manage ongoing and new challenges in the swine industry. 

Copper hydroxychloride improves feed efficiency of growing pigs and may reduce the need for added fat in diets for pigs.