Latest News From Industry

Students awarded pork industry scholarships
Students awarded pork industry scholarships

At at its annual business meeting - the National Pork Industry Forum - in Indianapolis, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) awarded scholarships to five college students who intend to pursue careers i

USDA_Export_Port_Ship
January Meat Export Volumes up from Last Year, but Value Remains Lower

January exports of U.S. beef and pork were modestly higher than a year ago, but export value slipped for both products, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Piglets_pigs_baby_swine_(10)
Hog Farm in North Las Vegas Going Up for Auction

A North Las Vegas pig farm famous for recycling leftover casino buffet food is soon going up for auction.

Beyond_Meat
Growth Projected for Meat Substitute Market

Beef tacos, spicy miso chicken, cottage pie, cabbage rolls, chicken coconut curry, Swedish meatballs – all recipes from around the globe with a focus on meat. But as the consumer mindset continues to shift for food to incorporate into healthy lifestyles, the demand for meat substitutes is projected to increase. 

Rehmeier inducted Into NPPC Hall of Fame

Rick Rehmeier, a pork producer from Augusta, Mo., Saturday was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the National Pork Producers Council for his steady leadership and dedication to the U.S. pork industry at NPPC's ann

Weber assumes NPPC presidency
Weber assumes NPPC presidency

John Weber, a pork producer from Dysart, Iowa, Saturday was elevated to president of the National Pork Producers Council at the organization's annual business meeting - the National Pork Industry Forum ‚Ä

NPPC elects new officers, board members at 2016 Pork Forum
NPPC elects new officers, board members at 2016 Pork Forum

Last week, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) elected new members to its board of directors at its annual business meeting - the National Pork Industry Forum - in Indianapolis.

Antibiotics take center stage at Pork Forum 2016
Antibiotics take center stage at Pork Forum 2016

The Pork Forum kicked off its 2016 session last week, bringing in hundreds of delegates representing the National Pork Board (Pork Board) and National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). Without question, the biggest topic o

7 things to know about the 'Other White Meat' lawsuit
7 things to know about the 'Other White Meat' lawsuit

Pork producers convened in Indiana last week for the Pork Industry Forum. While many positive initiatives were addressed, a lawsuit about the slogan, “Pork. The other white meat” remains a festering hindrance.

Houston crowns its Prince of Porc
Houston crowns its Prince of Porc

Chef Justin Yu of the Oxheart Restaurant is the reigning Prince of Porc after the Cochon555 cook-off in Houston last weekend. These chefs pride themselves in using the whole pig to create delicacies. Yu will compete lat

drought
South Africa Drought Destroys 5% of Cattle, Pork-Breeding Stock

South Africa’s driest weather in more than a century has destroyed more than 5 percent of the nation’s cattle and pork-breeding herds, fueling food prices and hitting jobs, lawmakers heard on Tuesday.

The $47,000 Pig: Community Rallies to Support Boy

What started as a regular livestock auction ended as a moment that changed one Florida 4-Her’s life. 

The Day Leon Sheets' World Went 'Boom'
The Day Leon Sheets' World Went 'Boom'

A fireball estimated at 400 degrees Fahrenheit surrounded Leon Sheets instantly.

Piglets_pigs_baby_swine_(10)
Study: Medium Chain Fatty Acids Protect Pigs From PEDv

Fatty acids, well known to have a positive effect on human nutrition, may also one day help to protect pigs from a deadly virus.

12642746_1659744184292591_3914464516598361516_n
New Memphis Startup Focused on Lab-grown Meats

Memphis Meats, a new meat-production startup, is one of a group of companies working to grow meat in labs.

gavel-law
Huge Win for Indiana Hog Farmers

Randolph County Circuit Court Judge Marianne L. Vorhees dismissed the case against Maxwell Farms of Indiana and local farmers in late January, granting summary judgment after finding no evidence of negligence on the part of Maxwell Farms or its contracted operators. 

BT_Beef_Grocery_Market
Tyson CEO Plans to Defend Meat-Market Share, Boost Innovation

Tyson Foods Inc., the largest U.S. meat processor, will boost product innovation and increase volumes amid an anticipated decline this year in beef and pork prices,  Chief Executive Officer Donnie Smith said.

Nebraska Lifts Only Ban on Packer-owned Hogs in US

The nation's only ban on meatpackers owning hogs has ended due to a new Nebraska law that allows processers to control the animals from birth to slaughter.

USDA_Export_Port_Ship
Strong U.S. Dollar Didn't Help Meat Exports in 2015

Beef exports in 2015 found plenty of headwinds, fanned by high cattle prices and a strong U.S. dollar.

Chicken_Poultry
Hearing Focuses on Proposed Ban on Some Animal Products

While both critics and supporters of a proposed ban on the sale of food products from farms that keep animals in overly restrictive cages say the measure would likely raise egg prices in Massachusetts, supporters contend consumers would barely notice the increases.

BT_USDA_Beef_Meat_Packer_4
Tyson Foods CEO Gets Wall Street Fan Mail After Turnaround

Tyson Foods Inc.’s Donnie Smith is getting the kind of notices from Wall Street that most CEOs dream about as a strategic overhaul at the largest U.S. meat producer begins to pay off.

BT_Japan_Beef_Export
U.S. Pork Exports Solid in December; Beef Exports Trend Lower

Beef exports were below year-ago levels in December and posted the first full-year value decline since 2009.

BT_Hereford_Feeder_Cattle
CME Group Moves Again to Reduce Volatility in Livestock Futures

Changes are being made to the livestock futures markets in an effort to limit volatile conditions and there is hope it will lead to enhanced markets.    

Tyson_Foods
Tyson Foods Executive Predicts Record Profits for 2016

Executives at Tyson Foods, Inc. are predicting record profits for the year, helped along by a steep drop in feed and livestock costs.

Chipotle Funding Program to Help Farmers Test Safety of Food
Chipotle Funding Program to Help Farmers Test Safety of Food

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., seeking to recover from an E. coli crisis that dragged down sales and profit, will start a program aimed at helping suppliers maintain food-safety standards.

Tyson_Foods
Tyson Foods Raises Full-Year Profit Forecast as Costs Drop

Tyson Foods Inc., the largest U.S. meat processor, raised its forecast for fiscal full-year profit as a decline in the cost of feed and animals improves margins at its chicken and pork businesses.

Piglets_pigs_baby_swine_(8)
Global Pork Market Weakens in First Quarter (VIDEO)

The global pork market will remain weak through the rest of the first quarter, followed by a slight improvement leading into Q2, according to Rabobank’s Global Pork Quarterly Q1 report.

hogs_pigs_(19)
Minnesota Pork Producers Prepare for Challenges

Minnesota producers braved frigid temperatures to attend the 2016 Minnesota Pork Congress at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Attendees were greeted with new products on display by more than 150 exhibitors and valuable educational sessions designed to help them deal with new regulations, troublesome viruses, and a changing industry.

Hogs_Pigs_Grower
Diverting a Health Disaster

Imagine walking into your building and finding lesions on your sows or market hogs that look just like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). Would you know what to do or whom to call?   

iowa_pork_congress_overall_shot
The Best of Iowa Pork Congress

Coverage of the 2016 Iowa Pork Congress.

hogs_pigs_(100)
Get Ready for Iowa Pork Congress

Are you headed to Des Moines this week for the 44th annual Iowa Pork Congress? The popular event will be held Jan. 27-28 at the Iowa Events Center.

market_hogs_(25)
Protein Market Sends Strong Message

After going through 2014 – arguably the most profitable year in modern times – producers are re-evaluating their balance sheets as prices dip below the cost of production in 2016.

Russians Swap Big Macs for Pork Burgers as Local Economy Bites
Russians Swap Big Macs for Pork Burgers as Local Economy Bites

All-day breakfast has fueled a resurgence at the world’s biggest fast-food purveyor. In Russia, it’s all about double pork burgers and chicken wings.

Top 10 U.S. export destinations for pork
Top 10 U.S. export destinations for pork

The United States has exported over 4.5 billion pounds of pork so far in 2015, up 1.1% from 2014.

November pork exports higher than 2014
November pork exports higher than 2014

November pork exports were 431 million pounds, almost 20 percent above November 2014—when PED effects on supply and pork prices hammered November exports—but 5 percent below shipments in November 2013 (see f

hogs_pigs_(94)
Nebraska Bill to Allow Packer-owned Hogs Faces Resistance

A bill that would end Nebraska's status as the only state which prohibits meatpackers from owning hogs received a skeptical reception Thursday from lawmakers, including many rural senators who said it would hurt family farms.

Piglets_pigs_baby_swine_(8)
Animal Agriculture and Antibiotics: 7 Things to Consider

"We forgot to understand that what we are really dealing with here is the integrity and the perception of the food consumers eat, especially in the area of animal protein," said Jerome Lyman, a former vice president at McDonald's Corp. 

NPPC, ag groups support port performance provision
NPPC, ag groups support port performance provision

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), along with more than 50 agricultural and business groups, sent a letter last week to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) co

COOL repeal likely means a slow increase of live swine imports
COOL repeal likely means a slow increase of live swine imports

The United States Country of Origin Labeling law was repealed in late December, meaning that it will no longer be necessary for U.S. pork processors to differentiate between U.S. and Canadian hogs.

market_hogs_(25)
Minnesota Pork Producers Asked to Take an Important Step

Minnesota Board of Animal Health and the Minnesota Pork Producers announced new program designed to help identify PRRS and PEDv.

pigs 281
Virginia Charged with Animal Cruelty for Illegal Hog Farm

A man has been charged after more than 100 hogs were discovered living in what authorities described as deplorable conditions at an illegal Virginia Beach farm.

livestock_trucks-trailer_(3)
Truck Washes a Valuable Tool Against PEDv

Research shows the hog industry needs to increase truck washes in regions like Iowa that have higher densities of hog farms and packers.

BT_Feral_Hogs_Cattle
Feral Hogs Cost at Least $2 Million Annually in Florida Cattle Production

Feral swine cost the Florida cattle industry at least $2 million a year in lost cattle production, according to a new study led by a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher.  

National Pork Board selects Kincannon & Reed for CEO search
National Pork Board selects Kincannon & Reed for CEO search

In follow up to an announcement last month, the National Pork Board announced today that Kincannon & Reed will conduct a national search for the organization's open position of chief executive officer.

Judge Greenlights Review of 'Other White Meat' Sale
Judge Greenlights Review of 'Other White Meat' Sale

The Pork Checkoff is still dealing with a lawsuit over it's famous campaign slogan "Pork. The other white meat."

Momentum Continued for U.S. Pork Exports in November; Beef Exports also Rebound (VIDEO)

U.S. pork exports continued to gain momentum in November while beef exports also showed signs of a rebound, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

FeralHogs_mp0011
New Type of Trap Helping Fight Against Feral Hogs in Kansas

Kansas' war on feral swine is being fought largely on a 40-mile front along the Oklahoma state line.

Computer glitch halts Smithfield production
Computer glitch halts Smithfield production

According to the Omaha (Neb.) Star Journal, a computer issue has forced production to be temporarily suspended at a number of Smithfield Food's plants across the country.

Alumbaugh: Everyone has an opinion
Alumbaugh: Everyone has an opinion

But some are better than others (especially if they agree with your own, right?).

Campbell Soup to label U.S. products for GMO ingredients
Campbell Soup to label U.S. products for GMO ingredients

Campbell Soup Co. said it will label all its U.S. products for the presence of ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms, becoming the first major food company to respond to growing calls for more transpar