Hog Production
In the fast-paced world of business, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day operations, but true success lies in working on your business, not just in it.
Pork producers often think about meat as the only commodity they produce. But Chris Hostetler at the National Pork Board argues they produce so much more and deserve to see benefits for their efforts.
A new diagnostic test can provide rapid results pen-side, a huge advantage over PCR and other tests which may take up to five days to return results, says Alveo Technologies, Inc., and NYtor B.V.
Not only does the Q1 2024 sow and grow-finish data compiled by MetaFarms indicate improved mortality rates, but this past quarter marks the highest quarterly average daily gain (ADG) in the history of MetaFarms data.
The pork community is in the crosshairs right now for the animal rights extremist community. Here’s what you need to know.
Seasonal infertility is a major swine industry issue, resulting in substantial economic loss due to decreased farrowing rates, reduced litter sizes and increased non-productive days. Here are five tips to consider.
There’s no doubt pork production is a noble calling, says Iowa State University extension swine specialist Colin Johnson. But the reality remains that farmers still have to cover production costs and earn a living.
Training your employees to identify illness and lameness early can improve sow longevity. Here are 4 tips to incorporate in your operation.
Ensuring the health and safety of our pigs is a top priority for every producer. While we often focus on biosecurity measures at sow farms, it’s just as crucial to implement strong protocols in wean-to-finish barns.
Properly functioning ventilation systems are vital to today’s pork production facilities, and following a regular process for maintaining their operation can pay big economic dividends.
Understanding the differences in the microbiome between light and heavy market hogs may provide insights into optimizing growth performance, feed efficiency and sustainability of the swine industry.
Preweaning mortality is a complex issue, says Cara Haden, DVM, of Pipestone Veterinary Service. That’s why the pork industry continues to search for answers to improve pig livability on the farm.
Cattle and hog feeders are benefitting from dramatically lower grain and feed costs this year while live animal sale prices are higher. Profit margins for both species have doubled in the past month.
After 17 consecutive months in the red, pork production is returning to profitability, says Brian Earnest, lead economist, animal protein for CoBank Knowledge Exchange Division.
Knowing there are many methods for swine disease spread, the objective of a SHIC-funded study was to increase understanding around the risk of vehicles traveling to and from swine farms for disease transmission.
The margin spread between packer losses and feedyard profits expands as wholesale beef prices continue their retreat. Pork producer profits continue increasing.
Here are six best practices to keep manure in check for your small swine operation in the summer season.
When assessing the health of your barns, certain factors can enhance productivity and profitability. Balancing cost management with pig health requires a holistic approach evaluating each animal but also the whole barn.
As someone who thrives on outdoor adventures, I eagerly anticipate the warmer weather and the lively buzz that comes with spring. But it’s also the time when our barn ventilation systems kick into high gear,
Strong global demand for U.S. pork has been been a bright spot for the industry. Fueled by growth in the Western Hemisphere, South Korea and Australia, U.S. pork exports posted another excellent performance in February.
“Anything worth doing, is worth doing badly.” This quote is a reminder that any undertaking that is important cannot wait for ideal circumstances before proceeding. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.
Managing pigs on small swine farms during spring and summer involves several key considerations to ensure the well-being of the animals and optimize farm operations.
Poly products pioneer Lundell Plastics announced its newest product, the EZ ROLL Gate Wheel, built to withstand the demands of daily gate usage in hog facilities.
Taking the Hogs and Pigs Report into account, along with USDA’s recent report of intentions to plant 4.6 million fewer corn acres this spring and tighter than expected corn stocks, the pork outlook is fairly bearish.
Whether you’re a seedstock swine producer, a commercial pork producer with internal multiplication, or a farmer purchasing your own breeding stock, here are four steps to implement to facilitate genetic improvement.
Packer and feeder margins continue trending in opposite directions as declining wholesale beef prices erase any improvement packers may have seen from lower cash cattle prices. Pork producer profits steady.
Due to tech advancements, ventilation management has become more complex, noting fan stages and more precise inlets for air movement, which may lead to a lack of understanding of how to optimally ventilate a barn.
Attention to sow longevity is so important because of the multiple ways it can affect a producer’s economics.
Keeping sows in ideal body condition can be a balancing act. New research from North Carolina State University outlines sow condition targets to minimize body lesions and maximize productivity.
Seasonality in reproduction can impair our ability to maintain constant reproductive output. NCSU evaluated the impact of parity and prefarrow sow body condition in a hot environment on subsequent farrowing rates.