Latest News From Hog Production

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. 

The pork community is in the crosshairs right now for the animal rights extremist community. Here's what you need to know.

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. 

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. 

Here's an overview of the most important matters of concern brought before legislators this week at NPPC's spring Legislative Action Conference in Washington, DC.

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

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.

Managing pigs on small swine farms during spring and summer involves several key considerations to ensure the well-being of the animals and optimize farm operations.

There are moments when stakeholders may disagree with the direction commodity organizations take, says Steve Malakowsky. His suggestion is simple: if you seek change and don’t align with the trajectory, get involved.

Taking the Hogs and Pigs Report into account, along with USDA’s recent report of intentions to plant 4.6 million fewer corn acres this spring and tighter than expected corn stocks, the pork outlook is fairly bearish.

Whether you’re a seedstock swine producer, a commercial pork producer with internal multiplication, or a farmer purchasing your own breeding stock, here are four steps to implement to facilitate genetic improvement.

EPA’s proposed effluent permitting guidelines for meatpacking plants under the Clean Water Act will significantly disrupt packing capacity and inflict additional severe financial harm on producers, NPPC says.

Aryeri Bardales knew graduate school in the U.S. wouldn't be easy, but she believed it was the best chance for her to find her niche in the pork industry. Here's how she's working to improve pig livability.

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.

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.

Iowa continues to lead the pack as the top producer of hogs in the U.S. But which states round up the top four? USDA ERS releases the latest cash receipts data.

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.

While listening to some of the brightest minds discuss hard topics like sow mortality and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, I am reminded change won’t happen unless we get honest with ourselves.

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. 

Change starts with you, National Pork Board president Bob Ruth passionately shared with pork producers during the National Pork Industry Forum in Chicago. Here's why your voice is needed now. 

The chairman of New Hope Group, one of China's biggest pig breeders, said he is "optimistic" hog prices will pull out of a multi-year slump this year as government policies to stimulate the market take effect.

China issued new regulations to control the nation's pig production capacity after an aggressive expansion of farms over the past two years led to an oversupply, a move that could reduce the world's largest pig herd.

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.

Examining Iowa State’s “Estimated Returns to Farrow to Finish” profitability chart, along with the multitude of calls and discussions I’ve had with producers, paints a stark picture of the industry’s challenges. 

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?

What are the health impacts of piglets choosing a teat from their mother sow?

NPPC's Chase Adams says most of the questions he receives from producers lately center around California Proposition 12. He stressed the importance of getting a farm bill in 2024 during his talk at Ohio Pork Congress.

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.

Farm Journal’s Trust In Food and The Sustainability Consortium are partnering to gather insights into the vital role data collection and sharing plays in measuring sustainability in the pork supply chain.  

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.

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?”

ASF has been detected in over 50 countries in recent years, and it continues to spread. Although this deadly disease may seem miles away, the urgency to protect the U.S. from ASF has never been greater.

It’s no surprise the 2023 economic crisis is at the center of winter trade show chatter and producer conversations, says National Pork Board's Brett Kaysen, who shares an inside look at his conversations with producers.

The hallway chatter is what makes events like the Iowa Pork Congress so meaningful for pig farmers. It's those conversations that bring people back year after year to one of the industry's largest winter shows. 

Pork processing is starting to see a turnaround, Bill Even, National Pork Board CEO, told AgriTalk guest host Michelle Rook. He opens up about the opportunities and challenges he sees ahead in 2024.

Registration is now underway for SowBridge, a 15 college and university cooperative distance educational series for those who work with sows, boars, piglets, and with genetic and reproductive issues.

Celebrating a shared passion for agriculture, 13 students from eight states met at The Maschhoffs in Carlyle, Ill., for its 6th Annual Leadership Experience Externship. 

“Lean and healthy” isn’t just a label on packaged pork in the meat case at your grocery store — right now, it sort of describes the U.S. swine industry.

Kansas State University leaders aim to help swine producers ‘persevere’ through industry’s challenges.