Beef and Dairy Cattle Nutrition

Disease and Mortality Cut Into Pork Profitability

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 14:37:47 GMT

The nation’s swine industry is bouncing back after recent disease outbreaks that cut into the herd size and slashed productivity. Despite the use of modern technology and heightened biosecurity, Mother Nature continues to stay one step ahead of the industry. That resulted in some major disease outbreaks in main swine production areas, including Iowa and Minnesota last year and earlier this year, and it cuts into profit margins for producers.

Pig mortality is a costly epidemic in the swine industry and even with all of today’s modern technology rates have been growing over the last decade, according to Joel DeRouchey, Extension swine specialist at Kansas State University.

“Actually, if you look at the total amount of animals, approximately one -third of the animals of swine never make it to market,” DeRouchey says.

He says the reason is that diseases like porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) are developing more virulent strains.

“The reality is some of the PRRS strains mutate over time,” DeRouchey explains. “They figure out ways to keep surviving as we implement better technology and better protocols.”

Speakers at this year’s International Pig Livability conference in Omaha, Neb., say this has caused a paradigm shift to look at the productivity of a sow based on pork produced per lifetime.

Brad Lawrence, global applied swine technology lead for Novus International, says, “Now we get the cumulative benefits of litter size, longevity of that sow, and also the survivability and growth potential of those pigs that she did produce. What that does is lets us get a better economic view of what that sow’s potential really is on a kilograms of pork or pounds of pork produced per sow lifetime.”

But Lawrence says that also includes the survivability of the offspring which is a challenge with disease.

“We’re losing way too many pigs from the time they’re born until they actually reach market weight, which further drives up the cost of production to produce the pork,” he explains.

To prevent disease, the industry is working to curb the viruses and bacteria that cause PRRS and porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), which survive in feed.

Alex Hintz, senior technical services manager in North America for Novus International, says this includes the use of feed additives and other technologies.

“What we’re working hard on is doing the research and investigating,” Hintz says. “Is there something we can do to the feed for the sows that’s going to prevent the viruses from surviving and then being transmitted to the sows, giving the pigs and sows a production impact at the end of the day?”

Researchers are also looking at ways to build immunity in the sow herd through nutrition and proper care after gestation to decrease culling rates, says Laura Greiner, associate professor at Iowa State University and director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center.

“Between gestation and lactation, there’s a period of about one week that’s extremely demanding, and it’s when we see the greatest loss of animals,” she says. “We want to make sure that we’re addressing that in terms of appropriate animal care.”

Otherwise, these experts says cull rates for gilts and sows can reach as high as 20%, cutting into producers’ profits.

Emphasizing Nutrition in Medical Education is Welcome and Overdue, Meat Institute Says

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:54:30 GMT

The Meat Institute applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Education’s announcement urging leading medical education organizations to provide more comprehensive nutrition education and training.

“Americans trust their doctors for advice, including advice on nutrition,” Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts said in a release. “This initiative should make nutrition and medical advice synonymous for the well-being of the patient and the consumer.”

Potts believes this initiative can help counter confusing and misleading information about nutrition, including the vital role of meat and poultry in health dietary patterns.

“Meat and poultry products provide consumers with a convenient, direct and balanced dietary source of all essential amino acids,” the Meat Institute said earlier this year. “Per serving, meat, poultry and fish provide more protein than dairy, eggs, legumes, cereals, vegetables or nuts. Protein is critical for developing, maintaining and repairing strong muscles; is vital for growth and brain development in children; and is essential to prevent muscle loss during aging.”

In February, Meat Institute President Vice President of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs Susan Backus said a modified Healthy U.S.-Style Dietary Pattern risks the potential for unintended consequences for nutrient and energy intakes.

“Americans need to improve their eating patterns to promote health,” Backus pointed out. “Considering dietary choices based on taste and cultural preferences, health and economic status, and food availability will be key to improving the dietary habits of Americans. A recommendation to reduce, limit or avoid nutrient dense products like meat and poultry will have significant unintended nutritional consequences across all life stages.”

Potts said improving nutrition education for medical professionals is “welcome, commonsense and overdue.”

Proactive Strategies for Managing Increased Mycotoxin Risk

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 22:29:09 GMT

Mycotoxins are natural substances produced by molds and fungi and are more prevalent in agriculture now more than ever before, according to 2024 U.S. Harvest Analysis released by Alltech. More than 95% of crops today are contaminated with at least one mycotoxin, and often with two or more. Mycotoxins are are difficult to detect and can cause significant damage to animal health before producers even realize their presence.

The comprehensive report determined the combination of heavy early-season rains and late-season droughts has created distinct challenges for crop producers in the United States and indicated that overall risk is moderate to high.

“The trend for corn grain and corn silage is somewhat higher across all regions of the U.S. than it was for 2023,” says Dr. Max Hawkins, global technical support for the Technology Group at Alltech. “This increase in risk is due to the occurrence and levels of type B trichothecenes primarily, but zearalenone and fumonisins are also included in the increase, particularly in the Eastern U.S. The result is an increased pressure on animal health and performance that producers will need to monitor moving forward to maintain a proactive mycotoxin management program.”

What can producers do to manage and mitigate mycotoxin risk?

Learn which mycotoxins pose the highest risk to specific regions, crops and species.
Test and monitor: Regularly test crops and feed to understand what’s present and to ensure high quality.
Leverage weather data: Pay attention to weather patterns and farm-specific conditions to assess potential risks early.
Use comprehensive information: Gather unbiased data from all aspects of your operation and tailor it to fit your specific needs.
Combine methods: Utilize both traditional techniques and new technologies to refine processes and ensure feed quality.
Act proactively: If mycotoxins are present, be proactive with management to ensure high-quality feed production, thus protecting animals and safeguarding your operation’s resilience and success.

Key points included in the analysis include:

Corn silage

The Upper Midwest showed higher risk due to DON than in 2023, while other regions showed a similar risk to 2023. Emerging mycotoxins and Type B trichothecenes had the highest prevalence.

Corn

The risk from corn grain is primarily DON and fumonisins. The risk in the East is similar to 2023, while the risk in the Midwest is greater than 2023, particularly for monogastrics.

The final mycotoxin risk will ultimately depend on the animal species and groups being fed and the mycotoxin concentrations and combinations in the finished diet, according to the report.

Testing includes samples of new-crop grains and forages collected from farms or animal feed production sites across the country, ensuring an accurate picture of mycotoxin contamination. All samples are tested at the leading-edge Alltech 37+® lab, which can detect the presence of 54 mycotoxins.

First Myotoxin Degrading Ingredient to Help Swine and Poultry Approved in Canada.

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 22:14:44 GMT

The global, science-based company, dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition and Health announced on Aug. 15, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) approved the use of a novel enzyme, fumonisin esterase, to help swine and poultry producers manage mycotoxins in feed.

“Fumonisin esterase is for the degradation of fumonisins present in swine and poultry feed,” Paige Gott, Ph.D., dsm-firmenich Strategic Product Manager, said in a release. “This approval expands dsmfirmenich’s commitment to innovation in mycotoxin risk management.”

dsm-firmenich will offer a new product which includes the fumonisin esterase called Mycofix® FUMzyme® for use in swine and poultry diets in Canada. More information will be available in the coming weeks.

“This will be the first product ever to be approved for degrading fumonisins in feed in the Canadian market,” Gott said. “Mycotoxins can have various negative effects on swine and poultry production. Fumonisins are the second most prevalent group of mycotoxins worldwide. Fumonisins are commonly found in livestock diets in North America and can interact with other mycotoxins and have synergistic effects that impair health and productivity of livestock and poultry. They are of increasing importance with more frequent extreme weather events in the region.”

KENT to Celebrate Grand Opening of Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex at Iowa State

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 19:17:38 GMT

KENT Corporation will celebrate the grand opening of the Iowa State University KENT Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex on Sept. 8. The family-owned company gave the lead $8-million gift.

“The contribution celebrates a 100-year commitment to the success of generations of people engaged in livestock production and agriculture,” Gage Kent, KENT Corporation Chairman and CEO, said in a release. “KENT is proud to partner with those working to advance new technologies in the feed and grain markets. This complex is a hands-on platform to further advance innovation and sustainability for future leaders in feed and grain processing.”

The 47,000-square-foot complex includes a warehouse and an educational building with an analytical laboratory, pilot plant, a 100-foot-tall concrete milling tower, a 40-foot-tall pelleting plant and 220,000 bushels of steel grain storage with handling and drying systems.

“It is incredibly rewarding to have been part of this project because we at KENT Nutrition Group know it will provide an authentic, challenging and fun learning environment for students and industry professionals,” Mike Gauss, President of KENT Nutrition Group, said in a release. “This industry is intrinsically linked to our everyday lives; teaching that, in this real-world way, will be meaningful to all involved.”

The Iowa State University KENT Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex will help prepare the next generation of workers in related technological advances in efficiency and safety, the release said. A dedication and ribbon cutting at the site of the new facility will begin at 3 p.m. in Ames on Sept. 8.

Drought Increases Aflatoxin Risk

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 05:08:44 GMT

Hot and dry cornfield conditions are breeding grounds for dangerous aspergillus ear and kernel mold that produces aflatoxins. This toxin is a known carcinogen, can harm livestock if fed and can lead to rejection at the elevator if abundant in a load.

Drought states are at a particularly high risk for the disease this year.

Aspergillus ear and kernel mold is a green to yellowish green, powdery fungus that survives on plant residue. In addition, spores can be transferred by wind. Damaged and exposed kernels are more susceptible to Aspergillus.

There are ways to manage aflatoxins, according to AgriGold Agronomist Brandon Nystrom.

Scout to determine if the mold is present
Change combine settings and grain moving equipment to minimize kernel damage and remove cracks, fines and lightweight, diseased kernels
Consider harvesting when the corn is above 20% moisture as less Aspergillus will be present and if you do, dry rapidly to at least 14% moisture in under 48 hours
Don’t store grain in any non-aerated site for more than six hours
Manage storage conditions to discourage fungi growth, cool dried grain to 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit

If you find mold that produces aflatoxins in fields it will limit where you can sell the grain. The table below, from Iowa State University (ISU) Extension showcases outlets for the infected grain.

Note, blending aflatoxin-contaminated corn is not legal except for on-farm use, according to Alison Robertson, professor of plant pathology and microbiology at ISU. Ethanol could be another outlet for infected grain. For on-farm use, anhydrous ammonia can reduce the contamination .