Latest News From Industry

AgriTalk host Chip Flory stopped by the Ralco hospitality tent at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, to try some of the popular barbecue served up by Bill Mulso with Sons of Butchers.

In Part 1 (Time to Shake Things Up in the Meat Business), speakers at the 2023 World Pork Expo talked about changing consumers’ mindset on pork loins. Here’s what the industry plans to do.

With all the talk about artificial intelligence, there's a new debate: is AI actually real or just a combination of Siri and other search databases? John Phipps addresses a U.S. Farm Report viewer's skepticism.

The updated drought monitor indicates dryness will continue to expand across eastern Missouri, eastern Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Veterinarians and producers have the convenience of vaccinating for three of the most important swine disease concerns, while reducing the number of bottles to handle and manage, says Merck's Jamie Lehman, DVM.

Labor challenges are not new to the pork industry, but Boehringer Ingelheim introduced a possible solution at World Pork Expo that is new: oral gel administration for its Lawsonia and Salmonella vaccines.

The hot summer months are upon us, and a team at USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and university scientists recently announced a new smartphone application, HotHog, to help predict heat stress in pigs.

Johnsonville, LLC, is recalling approximately 42,062 pounds of ready-to-eat “Beddar with Cheddar” pork sausage links.

Novus International, Inc., announced its comprehensive rebranding initiative and “the beginning of a new area of smarter solutions for farmers around the globe – intelligent nutrition” during the World Pork Expo. 

Pork producers have a new tool in the toolbox that can help reduce economic loss due to glass breakage and improve worker safety on the farm while doing its job as an antibiotic, says Norbrook's Megan Bollin, DVM. 

Protocol, a biosecurity management system utilizing facial recognition technology for controlled access of livestock barns, launched at World Pork Expo. Here's what brought two companies together to advance biosecurity.

Drought continues to deepen its grip across the Corn Belt, with Iowa and Illinois seeing large jumps in the moderate and severe drought categories. Now, more of the U.S. corn and soybean crop is covered in drought.

It's hard to stay competitive in today's job market. Here are four reasons why employees are in the driver's seat in 2023.

Reported food spending has increased to its highest level since the Consumer Food Insights Report began surveying in January 2022, possibly leaving consumers feeling little relief from inflation. 

Meat processing plants in the U.S. have garnered considerable public attention recently. A new study looks to identify characteristics associated with plant survival and provide crucial information for legislators.

The CPI for May shows egg prices experienced the largest monthly drop in 72 years, but the price consumers are paying for a dozen eggs is still well above average over the past 10 years.

To the U.S. pork industry, World Pork Expo is much more than simply a trade show and the opportunity to eat some delicious pork. “It’s a labor of love,” says Bryan Humphreys, NPPC CEO.

Vaccines against ASF being tested in Vietnam are close to approval, global and U.S. veterinary officials said, in what would be a major breakthrough to tackle the deadly disease regularly ravaging pig farms worldwide.

Tensions continue between employers and unions at ports along the U.S. West Coast. These shipping delays are causing big problems for the U.S. pork industry, explains NPPC's Maria Zieba. Here's why.

Summer Hardin burst into tears when lot number 22 brought in a shocking $111,000 at the Parker County Stock Show Sale of Champions. Although one could say the Champion Berkshire was a great one, it wasn’t about the pig.

From canines at U.S. entry points to workers on the farm, biosecurity is not taken lightly across the pork industry with foreign animal disease prevention and response being a top priority.

Here's a look at the National Pork Board's four newly elected officers for the 2023-2024 term, who will represent the 60,000 U.S. pig farmers who pay into the Pork Checkoff.

Economists say U.S. pork producers are faced with a 35% increase in costs with losses currently pegged at $40 per head. Even with strong pork exports, economists warn 2023 could be worse than 1998 for some producers.

While Ohio pig farmers Phillip Hord and Jessica Campbell’s operations may look different, driving demand is where their paths intersect. By bringing a new flavor to the farm, the producers are also driving pork demand.

“What’s going to make headlines in the next USDA Hogs and Pigs Report are farrowing numbers,” says Lee Schulz of Iowa State University. He discussed the supply side of pork production at the 2023 World Pork Expo.

Following a strong 2022, pork producers face profitability challenges and what looks like a decrease in pork demand. However, Glynn Tonsor of K-State believes there's more to the demand picture than what meets the eye.

Although he’s motivated by treats and can charm just about anyone, don’t let this dog fool you. Sol is a highly driven beagle who plays a critical role in protecting U.S. agriculture.

The bright spot for the U.S. pork industry is currently pork exports, with U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) reporting another strong pork export performance in April citing broad-based growth to several countries.

Economists share their insights at World Pork Expo and the bottom line doesn’t look pretty. Still, there are things producers can do to ease the pain.

They’ve grown up with screens, masks and the threat of African swine fever. Although some may question Gen Z, these youth point out their ‘connectivity’ is a strength and a tool that the pork industry needs.

As pork producers filled the Iowa State Fairgrounds on the first day of the 2023 World Pork Expo, Farm Journal’s PORK took to the streets to hear from those in the industry attending the event.

A policy panel at World Pork Expo, moderated by Editor Jennifer Shike, was held to discuss the importance of protecting producers' livelihoods and maintaining pork production as a vital component of the U.S. economy.

The National Pork Board announces Dr. David Newman, renowned expert in pork marketing, as the senior vice president for market growth, effective June 19, 2023.

Challenging. Resilient. Bearish. Introspective. These are four ways that industry leaders describe the pork industry in 2023. However, the most interesting word that came forward was “seatbelts.” 

While California producers must convert pork production practices to comply with Proposition 12, pork producers across other states might not be so quick to change. Could California struggle to meet their demand?

From PRRS to PEDV, the health challenges facing swine farms add insult to injury during tough economic times. Five veterinarians share diseases to watch and swine health surprises in 2023.

Here is a look at three unfortunate realities found along the road to Prop 12 becoming law that are both perplexing and disheartening to pork producers across the country.

The younger demographic wants to stay in touch with their culture, says Jose De Jesus of the National Pork Board. That's why culture is a major focus in the Pork Checkoff’s most recently introduced strategic campaigns.

Proposition 12. Sideways breeding inventory. Astronomical input costs. Declining consumer demand. The issues affecting the pork outlook go on and on. Five economists share perspective on what’s ahead. 

Management of livestock is essential for a healthy herd. Some medications can be avoided with observation and understanding of a herd health plan, which is the main objective of the management over medication concept.

The USDA FSIS recently announced updates to its voluntary guideline for federally regulated swine slaughter and pork processing establishments to control Salmonella in market hogs.

A pig showman, golfer and FFA officer, Paizlee Hardin was a happy high school sophomore. But on March 15, her life as she knew it changed when she began experiencing “crazy symptoms” and lost her ability to walk.

A fire broke out on May 23 at Blunier Farms in Forrest, Ill. The fire destroyed one of the farm’s five barns. Nobody was hurt and only 10 pigs were lost in the fire.

A new collaboration involving the Minnesota Pork Board and the Minnesota Pork Producers Association will improve access to mental health care in rural and outstate Minnesota.

Here’s a look at the less publicized list of things you need to do at the World Pork Expo from producers and industry leaders who come back year after year because they can’t get enough of this world-famous event.

While a backlog of ships may not be grabbing headlines compared to 2020, the labor uncertainty is impacting U.S. red meat exports, says Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO.

The Maschhoffs, a leading pork production company, announced the launch of its refreshed purpose, core values and strategic objectives.

Olymel is cutting about 80 jobs as it reduces hog production in Western Canada due to ongoing financial losses and market uncertainty.

With a slogan of "raised, not sourced," Tim Haer had a wild idea to differentiate their business: create a vending machine to sell meat produced on their family's farm, an idea he says that's been wildly successful.

Meat demand peaked last year, but economists say domestic demand is still stronger than pre-pandemic levels, and with more grilling this Memorial Day weekend, it could help boost domestic meat demand.