Latest News From Hog Management

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. 

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.

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. 

The pork industry needs to share the good news of what producers are doing on the farm more, especially around the topic of sustainability.

The U.S. ag and food industry not only provides daily necessities but millions of stable, enriching careers. Here's a look at hiring trends to gain insights into career trends and candidate behavior within the sector.

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.

We live in a world where there is a disconnect between swine producers and pork consumers. This makes it important to understand how the public might view changes to farming practices before they happen.

“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.

The conversation about how the farming business is going to be transitioned from an established generation to the next generation is a conversation these families cannot afford to put off for another day.

Of all the numbers in the latest USDA Hogs and Pigs Report, the number that caught economists’ eye was pigs saved per litter. Here's why Steve Meyer, Ever. Ag senior economists, says this is a number to watch.

It’s easy to make assumptions about what others think, but recent research funded by the Indiana Pork Producers Association and the Indiana Soybean Alliance proves it’s always better to go to the source itself.

U.S. employers report challenges in finding suitable job candidates with work-ready skills to fill open roles in ag. The AgCareers.com U.S. Skills Survey offers insights, data and trends to address skill development.

The potential for a successful sow starts well before the sow is first bred. Here are five ways you can improve sow longevity by focusing on the gilt from weaning until the time of first breeding.

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. 

Apple's influence has undeniably shaped consumer expectations across industries, including the pork industry. However, the reality pork producers work in is far removed from the seamless experience provided by Apple.

Farm attorney Matt Folz shares the pros and cons of creating a charitable remainder trust.

Understanding the causes of injuries in ag occupations can help improve safety and policy measures. However, obtaining a comprehensive overview of injuries is hindered by the absence of a central reporting system.

H-2A. J1. TN. Don’t be intimidated by this short list of visa worker programs, Dianne Bettin says. They connect U.S. farms with access to “amazing people with great work ethic.” Why should you consider them?

Why would a farm convert to become California Proposition 12 compliant? It’s a fair question that Phillip Hord, president of Hord Family Farms in Bucyrus, Ohio, continues to ask himself.

We are no longer in the “olden days” when a producer had to drive to the site to see if the barn ventilation was operating correctly because he made a ventilation change the day before based on a snapshot in time.

Challenging times in the market offer valuable opportunities to reexamine risk management strategies for feed inputs.

Summer Doty hasn’t saved anyone from a burning building or led an army into battle. She hasn’t jumped into the path of an oncoming train. Still, the work she does at Islercrest Farms is proof not all heroes wear capes. 

Data analysis is the process of inspecting, cleansing, transforming and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful information. However, without proper data analysis, you may draw the wrong conclusion.

“You don’t know what you don’t measure,” says Brad Eckberg with MetaFarms. “Producers need to be able to say, ‘Here is where we’re at, here is where we want to be as a goal for an improvement.’”

The SEC voted on its final climate disclosure removal and removed the Scope 3 reporting requirement, that would have required public companies, including farmers, to report greenhouse gas emissions of their supply chain.

People are looking for authenticity. That’s why influencers such as Eddie Zamora, the Yum Yum Foodie, and Ashley Sampson of Life With Ashley Ann are drawing droves of peopled to their social media platforms every day.

Close behind profitability in the list of challenges facing the U.S. pork industry is labor – not only attracting workers, but also retaining them. Dianne Bettin offers insight on how to retain top talent.

In pig farming, maximizing genetic potential is a constant pursuit. Despite perceptions that pigs are the “easy part” compared to humans, the reality is ensuring optimal conditions involves overcoming various hurdles.

A variety of topics ranging from biosecurity breaches to PRRS kicked off conversations during the 2024 American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting. Here’s a quick glimpse of what some experts had to say.

The laying hen industry shares similar risks to the pork industry regarding disease prevention. Versova's Craig Rowles shares practical examples from the egg industry that could work on your farm.

It’s important the friends, family, and business professionals close to farmers are prepared and able to effectively communicate in a mental health crisis.

Here's why a coalition of poultry and livestock groups filed comments with the EPA about its proposed regulation of rodenticides to control rodents on farms.

With all of the data available at a producer’s fingertips, no one can argue it can be overwhelming. With all of that information on hand, what are the key metrics people should look at on a periodic basis?

Alan Hoskins, president of American Farm Mortgage, shares his expectations for the economy and how it changes the buying process.

To be most effective at reducing variation, it’s important to consider its causes. If we can begin to manage these causes before placement in finishing, we’ll increase the positive impact at marketing.

In recent years, agricultural employers consistently emphasized talent acquisition, but there has been a noticeable shift towards prioritizing retention as the primary focus in 2024.

Sow death loss wasn’t the only number to trend in the wrong direction in 2023. Wean-to-finish mortality increased from 6.87% in 2022 to 7.61% in 2023. Brad Eckberg shares his perspective on opportunities to improve.

In 2023, pork producers did a better job of managing risk and that’s made a big difference. Steve Meyer says this is one of the reasons he hasn’t heard of many wholesale bankruptcies this year despite negative margins.

From innovative ideas and encouraging conversations to powerful networking and frank discussions, the Ohio Pork Congress was a huge success. Here are top takeaways from the powerful line-up of speakers.

Some legislators say it's time to strengthen cybersecurity protections within the food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector by identifying vulnerabilities and improving protective measures.

One of the common ways farms are targeted is by unknowingly giving an animal rights extremist access via employment. Don’t wait for a crisis to arise before you act. Here’s what should be on your 2024 hiring checklist.

The latest MetaFarms reports show sow death loss in 2023 was at an all-time high at 15.3%. That’s up 1% from a year ago – a trend that continues to move in the wrong direction. 

Is the ability to focus on the farm a superpower? It might be, especially in modern pork production systems. Here's a look at MetaFarm's preliminary 2023 data and why focus is more important than ever on the farm.

The numbers were up at the 2024 Illinois Pork Expo in Springfield, Ill., this week. Here is a quick look at some of the insightful things we heard at the event in case you missed it.

“We want to make sure that we take every idea, that we take every concern back to the team and to the board of directors to be able to turn over every rock,” says NPPC's Cody McKinley.

No one would argue the character Rocky had a lot of ups and downs in his life. IPPA's Executive Director Jennifer Tirey said it reminds her of what hog farmers have been going through, especially the last couple years.

“Things are looking better, but not good,” Ever.Ag chief livestock economist Steve Meyer said about the pork outlook. “The question is, will things get better enough to get you in the black?”