Hog Management
Our industry is diligent about collecting data — in management software systems, feeding systems, animal movement planning systems and more. How can we integrate this data better for practical analysis?
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.
You need to do what you need to do to make your life better. Is it really that simple?
Ryan Samuel shares five benefits of the Transport Quality Assurance certification program and why it’s so important during a pivotal time in the pork industry.
He’s the guy who always asks for more. Whether it’s more work or more ways to learn, everyone who knows Chad Groves knows he never looks for shortcuts. That’s why he’ll be taking the reins as CEO of Seaboard Foods.
One thing economists are particularly bad at is predicting what the future holds for the economy or specific market trends. Still, economists find gainful employment making predictions. The reason? Economic resiliency.
In the fast-paced world of business, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day operations, but true success lies in working on your business, not just in it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Farm attorney Matt Folz shares the pros and cons of creating a charitable remainder trust.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.