Hog Production
Fan covers were tested at a single 2,400 head commercial, tunnel-ventilated, wean-to-finish site fully stocked with mid-finishing pigs to determine the most effective material to utilize for covering fans on swine barns to enhance biosecurity.
Iowa pig farmer Mike Paustian believes it’s important to introduce the technology in a thoughtful, comprehensive manner, so everyone has a chance to get their questions answered and concerns heard.
Authority. Respect. Admiration. Street cred. Call it what you want, but when it comes to leadership in the pork industry, there is nothing like having been there and done that. It’s one of the great stories about working in animal agriculture.
Three pork industry leaders spoke at the 2024 World Pork Expo about innovations – present and future – that will have a positive impact on the industry, though questions remain on costs.
A rally in cash cattle prices lifted cattle feeding margins more than $100 per head and left packers mired in red ink. Pork margins have held firm in the mid-$40s for six weeks.
When it comes to motivating animal caretakers to consistently comply with biosecurity practices, a new study says you can’t stop at the training step alone.
The Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project noted an increase in occurrence of a novel porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus variant in December 2023 and January 2024.
Hiring the right people these days feels like navigating a maze without a map. The challenge isn’t just finding qualifications on paper, but rather it’s uncovering the intangibles that define a perfect fit.
While there has been some hope new markets created by Prop 12 would provide additional premiums to producers, it’s prudent any potential short-term gains do not distract from the long-term dilemma these laws present.
When a South Dakota farmer wanted to return home, putting up his own nursery barn was the avenue that helped him be his own boss and continue as the fourth generation pork producer in his family.
Real-time feedback changes behavior. That’s why a new technology was launched at World Pork Expo to provide biosecurity breach alerts for trucks and trailers.
As an extension of Farm Journal’s PORK recent state of the industry report, industry experts joined AgriTalk to rally around happy pigs, happy farmers and happy consumers.
Little change was found for livestock feeders last week as near identical week-to-week market prices held margins solidly in the black. Beef packers saw modest improvement with higher wholesale beef prices.
How much does a sow really eat? Or, more specifically, how much does each sow eat? We’ve been thinking about this question by looking at variation in sow herds, and identifying gaps and opportunities to feed differently.
Hearing the words porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) can strike fear into the minds of both producers and veterinarians. Learn more about this and other endemic diseases.
The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) assists U.S. producers with health issues they may experience on their farms. The first step is detection, says Dr. Lisa Becton, associate director of SHIC.
After briefly exceeding $400 per head, cattle feeding margins tumbled $75 last week, but the balance didn’t go to the packer as their losses increased. Pork margins held firm.
Innovation is an indispensable catalyst for the longevity and sustainability, says Erin Limes Stickel with dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health. What’s the role of innovation in pork operations today?
Five economists weigh in on the issues most likely to spark attention in the upcoming USDA Quarterly Hogs & Pigs Report to be released on June 27.
“People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe,” says speaker Simon Sinek. Five producers share why they do what they do and what they want lawmakers to hear.
Although influenza and E.coli have been a hot topic of conversation in many circles lately, these four veterinarians agree on the virus that continues to cause the greatest problems for pigs in their area.
Regardless of who you run into in the pork industry, the truth is there are many stories that need to be told more often. Here are eight stories connected to U.S. pork production that need to be talked about more often.
If you could eradicate one challenge in the pork industry today, what would it be? Health quickly comes to mind for many producers when asked this question, but not all.
No one would argue there’s a lot for producers to wade through right now. It can be hard to discern where to put your focus first with so many things trying to catch your attention.
Cattle feeding margins exceeded $400 per head as cash prices improved $2 per cwt. and production costs declined modestly. Pork margins saw a slight decline but remain solidly above $40 per head.
Join us for the pork industry’s most exciting week of the year: PORK Week. We will be honoring producers, providing opportunities to learn new things and celebrating industry achievements June 3 through June 8.
USDA creates online decision tools to help livestock producers with determining qualified losses of animals and feed due to natural disasters.
The Swine Health Information Center-funded Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project (MSHMP) noted an increase in occurrence of a novel PRRSV variant in December 2023 and January 2024.
U.S. Meat Export Federation Chair Randy Spronk, a pork producer from Edgerton, Minn., notes a sense of optimism among attendees for the remainder of 2024.
Do you want the good news or the bad news first? If you are like most, you’d rather hear the bad news first. The bad news is pork’s consumer base is shrinking. The good news is this decline is reversible, says Bill Even.