University News Release

This information was provided by a university news service.

Latest Stories
Due to the cold harsh winter and recent heavy rains and snow melt, livestock producers should keep a close watch on manure storage structures and pumping equipment.
What are some things that we should be thinking about to help make ourselves more productive and prepared for the upcoming year?
Hog production has returned to profitability but delayed planting is raising concerns.
Through August 2012 domestic pork demand was down 1.3%, export demand was up 3.3%, and live hog demand was down 0.2%.
Pork producers are expected to continue to suffer very large losses after already operating in the red for the last six months.
Drought and the impact on feed prices may be on the verge of creating a financial disaster for the pork industry and other livestock species.
In a survey of 70 large hog firms, with a total of 3.6 million sows, 17% of sows are currently housed in open pen gestation.
A combination of factors has resulted in a disappointing period of financial losses this spring and summer for hog producers.
USDA says that 69,100 farms raised hogs last year, the same number as in 2010.
Retail pork prices averaged $3.495 per pound last month, up 3.4¢ from December and 25.4¢ from January 2011.