Hog Production
The 2021 PorkBridge and SowBridge educational series will begin in February. They provide relevant and timely distance education to swine producers and industry professionals across the U.S. and around the world.
Jason Franken, agricultural economist at Western Illinois University and contributor to the University of Illinois farmdoc team, weighs in on the USDA’s December Hogs and Pigs report.
When it comes to meat export markets, particularly pork, 2020 was a year to remember. Here’s why 2021 holds promise for both U.S. pork and beef export opportunities.
“I’m not sure what’s going to happen,” South Dakota pig farmer Steve Rommereim confided to his friend Scott Phillips, a pig farmer in Missouri. “It’s bad. Real bad.”
There’s no doubt about it, the feed situation has changed drastically in the last couple of months, said Illinois hog farmer Chad Leman on AgriTalk’s Farmer Forum.
The swine industry is no stranger to dealing with disease. As human doctors battled COVID-19, the pork industry didn’t let up on its fight against diseases that threaten pigs. Here’s a look back.
As feed costs climb, some experts say it’s time for a different approach to swine diet formulation. Can formulating diets based on net energy lower production costs? Here’s what a few nutritionists think.
Who doesn’t love walking into a farrowing room and seeing large, healthy litters of uniform pigs? Good health is one of the most important factors a quality weaned pig must have. Here are four key things to consider.
Soybean prices surpassed the $12-mark last week, taking away from margins in pork production. So, what can U.S. pork producers do to lessen the impact of high soybean prices?
Batch farrowing used to be a common practice, but as farms got bigger, continuous-flow production became the norm. Now it appears batch farrowing is making a comeback, according to John Deen.
Cara Haden, associate swine veterinarian with Pipestone Veterinary Services, offers three key questions to ask yourself as you consider the role of antibiotics in your operation in 2021.
What should you do to prevent a PEDV infection? And if your herd gets PEDV, how can you survive it? Here’s help.
The PEDV storm came and went. PEDV seems to have faded into the background of daily life. However, when it hits a sow farm, it is every bit the monster it was when we first saw it. It’s time for a review.
Water is often the forgotten nutrient in swine programs. Iowa State University assistant professor Laura Greiner shares six ways to make sure pigs are getting the best start possible in the nursery.
As African swine fever rages in Vietnam, the U.S. pork industry, through a $1.7 million USDA FAS grant, is studying the virus in real time as the disease breaks on farms across Vietnam. Here’s an update on the latest.
Ventilation systems need regular check-ups to prevent environmental issues that can compromise pig health. Winter audits are especially important, with ventilation running at low levels with little room for error.
No matter if you’ve just graduated, or have been out of school for thirty years, education continues throughout your lifespan. Truly learning, versus just being trained, makes the difference.
Livestock producers will face more feed cost inflation next year than they have in a decade, challenging their ability to recover from a difficult, volatile 2020.
Getting pigs off to a good start is both an art and science, and even under the best of circumstances it can be challenging. Here are five key areas to for producers to focus on this year.
While hogs have grown heavier and leaner over the years, improvements in handling and processing have allowed for improved quality.
2020 hog slaughter has certainly challenged capacity this year, and it’s been a good test – and no minor test at that – said Iowa State University ag economist Lee Schulz.
An RNA genetic sequencing method studied by researchers at the University of Minnesota finds that rapid, unbiased pathogen detection can be achieved at the species and strain level.
Measuring antibody response to a commonly used vaccination against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus could better predict swine reproductive success than common genetic selection strategies.
Multi-disciplinary collaboration by academia, industry partners and the veterinary community is improving the diagnostics for and management of Streptococcus suis, a key endemic bacterial pathogen of pigs.
By applying nutrition strategies wisely, North Carolina State University PhD student Gaby Martinez says the industry can reduce stillborns and farrowing duration while improving litter performance during lactation.
The demonstration video is part of an effort to help producers prepare for a foreign animal disease outbreak.
From increasing practical livestock biosecurity measures to advancing rapid depopulation and disposal abilities during animal disease outbreaks, Farm Bill funding will support endeavors to protect animal health.
How diverse are influenza A viruses circulating in U.S. swine herds? Tavis Anderson, PhD, says there’s a great deal of diversity within the virus. His team is studying the factors driving this diversity.
New research published by the National Academy of Sciences ties livestock meat packing plants to 6% to 8% of U.S. COVID-19 cases, and 3% to 4% of the deaths through late July.
U.S. Meat Export Federation Vice President of Marketing Jesse Austin discusses the latest regarding U.S. pork sales to Japan, in particular chilled and ground seasoned pork.