Hog Production

Pig Movement Restrictions Lifted Within 5-Mile Surveillance Zone in Iowa

Fri, 15 May 2026 20:31:23 GMT

Pig movement restrictions have been lifted within the 5-mile surveillance zone surrounding the small commercial pig herd in Iowa with confirmed detection of pseudorabies. All premises in this zone completed round one testing with no further detections.

Following the April 30 confirmation, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in coordination with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), shut down movement of pigs in this five-mile radius surrounding the site.

“All animals from both the Iowa index herd and the non-commercial source herd in Texas have been depopulated and properly disposed of,” APHIS reports. “All herds with direct exposure to these positive sites have been identified, and epidemiological investigations and diagnostic testing of these sites are ongoing. Cleaning and disinfection of the Iowa premises were completed on May 12.”

No additional commercial sites have been identified as having direct exposure to the commercial site in Iowa or the source herd in Texas, APHIS says.

2-Mile Surveillance Zone Remains Active

Officials say the 2-mile surveillance zone around the index herd remains active, and movement restrictions within that zone continue.

Premises within the 2-mile surveillance zone, along with all exposed herds, must complete a second round of testing 30 to 60 days after the affected site is cleaned and disinfected. This testing is scheduled to occur between June 12 and July 11. Until negative results from this second testing round are confirmed, movement restrictions for exposed herds and all swine premises within the 2-mile zone will remain in place, APHIS says.

The affected site remains under quarantine pending a 30-day fallow period and completion of the second round of testing for all exposed herds and all swine premises in the 2-mile surveillance zone.

“Strong biosecurity practices are the best defense for producers to protect their herds from pseudorabies and other diseases of concern,” APHIS advises.

Although this detection does not pose a risk to consumer health or affect the safety of the commercial pork supply, there may be limited, short-term impacts on exports of U.S. swine, swine genetics and certain animal products.

USDA is working with trading partners to clarify and mitigate these impacts.

“APHIS and IDALS appreciate producers’ continued cooperation and adherence to strong biosecurity practices,” APHIS says. “We are committed to supporting producers throughout this process and ensuring the continued security of the nation’s agricultural systems.”

Pseudorabies is a contagious viral disease of livestock and other mammals. However, pigs are the only natural hosts. While pseudorabies virus can infect most mammals, humans, horses and birds are considered resistant.

From Storm Ruin to 'Barn Hero': How Partnership and Family Fuel This Indiana Pig Farm

Fri, 15 May 2026 13:05:32 GMT

When the barn alarm screeches in the middle of the night, every pig farmer feels an ache deep in his gut. There was no way Kameron Donaldson could have prepared for what he saw back in 2013 when the sheriff deputy drove him up to the site of his new finishing barn.

With power lines snapping like firecrackers on the Fourth of July, he was grateful for the officer who came upon the scene after a devastating windstorm flattened his livelihood. With the patrol car’s lights beaming on the scene, all Donaldson could see were shards of glass, twisted metal and splintered wood.

All he could think was, “This is bad.” His quad buildings were in ruins.

Through the pouring rain and striking lightning, he knew he had to act fast to get the pigs moved to a better location.

“One half of one building was basically gone – no roof or even lumber on one end,” Donaldson recalls. “The other building just collapsed and basically laid down on the gates. The unbelievable part is that, of the 8,000 50-lb. pigs in the buildings, only 20 died during the storm from debris falling on them.”

(Kameron Donaldson)

A Convoy of Support

Overwhelmed doesn’t even begin to describe how Donaldson felt the next morning as the sun rose over the wreckage and revealed the true damage. But he says it wasn’t because of the cleanup and hard decisions ahead. It was because of the convoy of pig farmers, neighbors and friends who showed up with bolt cutters, trailers and food.

As a contract grower for Dykhuis Farms, Donaldson was relieved that his barn supervisor was focused on finding spaces for the pigs so he could concentrate on getting pigs out of the buildings.

“We needed to move approximately 16 semi loads of pigs to new locations until the buildings could be repaired,” he says. “In the building that collapsed, the gates had to be cut because they were pinched by the ceiling that lay on top of them. Men were literally crawling on their hands and knees to move these pigs out of the pens.”

Some people moved debris. Others loaded pigs onto trailers. Some even hooked up the barn watering system to a firetruck so the pigs could drink.

“The support of our community meant so much to our family,” he says. “Everyone understood that this was a serious situation and did anything they could to help.”

The support the Donaldsons received after the storm is unforgettable. He says that is something he appreciates about being a contract grower — knowing you have a support team who is willing to help and solve problems alongside you whatever they may be.

(Kameron Donaldson)

The Power of Partnership

This crisis solidified Donaldson’s trust in Dykhuis Farms and the partnership model he uses today. He knows he is able to do more with the support Dykhuis Farms provides than if he were raising hogs independently.

Growing up on a grain and pig farming operation in Miami County, Ind., Donaldson was no stranger to the challenges of raising livestock. In 1996, his family exited the hog business. A few years later, he married his high school sweetheart, Hayley, who also grew up on a pig farm. It came as no surprise when the young couple decided contract finishing hogs would be a wise way to use some empty barns and bring in a little extra income so they could return to the farm full time.

A friend introduced them to Dykhuis Farms of Holland, Mich., and said they were a great group to work for, Donaldson recalls.

“Once I met the president at the time, Bob Dykhuis, I knew that was the direction I wanted to go,” he says. “They are a faith- and family-based farm operation. They were easy to connect with and that was important to me as I was getting my start. I’ve been with them ever since and never regretted it.”

In addition to great health and technical support, Dykhuis Farms offers an incentive opportunity for growers who maintain a daily log of data and performance records. Examples range from recording barn temperatures to vaccinations to death loss.

“They keep numbers on virtually everything they can keep numbers on,” he says. “When you have a good group, and you’ve done your paperwork, you may receive a certain dollar amount per head bonus.”

One of the advantages of feeding hogs for a company is the number of people you meet along the way, Donaldson says. Whether it’s truck drivers other hog growers, he says it opens up your world to opportunities you never knew were possible.

(Don Green)

That incentive to reach high standards is motivating, he says. It feels good to be affirmed for doing exceptional work in the barn. He focuses attention on indicators of barn performance, including ventilation, feed and water systems, to make sure the pig has the best environment possible.

“I appreciate that they are open about numbers and share those across the company,” Donaldson points out. “It allows you to compare and see where you sit with other growers. That’s important for me to be at the top. If we are a little weak in an area, I focus on that pretty hard.”

The Discipline of Daily Care

Although many things have changed since he started feeding hogs 19 years ago, like technology and finishing weights, the most important things are still the most important things.

“A successful contract grower needs to be observant,” he says. “You need to slow down enough to take a good look at the pigs and observe them. How are they feeling? Good growers can go in a barn and get a sense real quick if something’s off.”

He says it starts with a passion to want the pigs to do well because it’s the right thing to do for the pig. But it also makes his job easier, too.

“Being a contract grower takes a lot of hard work,” Donaldson adds. “Success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes many years of doing the work, day in and day out, before you get your expenses covered. But even when you are starting to make a little money, you must always think about reinvesting because the barn is going to need maintenance.”

The Donaldson farm consists of pigs, corn, soybeans and wheat and is staffed mostly by Donaldson, Hayley and their son, Keagan. They also have two daughters, Kendra and Kayden, who put in hours in the barn when needed. His father, now 68, still works on his own farm every day and helps with the grain side of Donaldson’s farm.

“We load out most of our own pigs ourselves,” Donaldson says. “We have hired help to come in to do the sorting and the washing of the barns, but on the day-to-day chore stuff, it’s myself and family members.”

Working alongside his son, Keegan, on the farm is a privilege, Donaldson says.

(Don Green)

Working with family members means a lot to Donaldson, who views it as a great opportunity to teach his children and pass on values.

“They always say, “A family that prays together stays together.’ But a family that sells pigs together? Now that’s a challenge,” Donaldson laughs. “I’ve learned to be more patient. If our kids see that I can get it done without a forceful nature, and it’s just as effective or even quicker, they may take that approach the next time, too.”

One of his expectations in the barn is observance.

“Use all your senses when you’re in there,” Donaldson says. “Use your eyes to look for potential feeder adjustments, pig problems and things like that. Keep your ears open. Can you hear a pig breathing hard? Use every sense you can to be observant. When you do that, you’ll be able to make sure the pigs are in the best environment for growth possible.”

Securing the Future

Hayley works on the farm with her husband every day. From loading pigs to driving the tractor to handling the farm’s paperwork, Donaldson says she can do it all.

“Working with your spouse can have its challenges, and that’s mostly my fault,” he says. “There’s not much of a buffer zone. If something’s not going well when I come in for lunch, she’s the person who gets an earful.”

(Don Green)

However, their joint desire to see the farm succeed and provide opportunities for future generations to be on the farm aligns their purpose and helps cover the daily stresses of farm life. It’s also why they’ve prioritized succession planning.

“We wanted to have something in place as our operation grew,” he says. “Once we started that process, that encouraged my dad to do the same. My dad thought you had to have every detail worked out. And that’s just not true when it comes to succession planning.”

The first step is starting with something, Donaldson says. He reached out to an attorney who specializes in farm succession plans to help devise a strategy for the future of their farm business.

“Even though we knew our lawyer, she still wanted to spend time talking to us to understand the ‘heartbeat’ of our family,” he says. “She wanted to understand each family member’s role on and off the farm.”

Once his dad realized the process wasn’t that difficult, and he could make changes to the plan along the way, he softened to the idea and went through the process to set up his own trust for his farming operation.

“He has peace now knowing that the land he owns will continue, and whether it’s me or my son, we will rent off of the trust and continue to farm his land,” Donaldson says.

A True Barn Hero

Donaldson’s stewardship of the animals and the environment is noteworthy. His desire to be more efficient and make the pigs’ lives the best possible is one of the reasons why Caton Howard, a fieldman for Dykhuis Farms, calls Donaldson a barn hero.

“Kameron always does things the right way and in a timely manner, which can be a struggle with contract growers,” Howard says. “He cares for the pigs daily like they are his own and keeps his facilities in pristine condition. He also maintains the barns like they are brand new.”

Kameron and Hayley Donaldson wouldn’t be where they are today without the examples their fathers set for them to work hard and prioritize animal care.

(Don Green)

In addition, the family’s decision to do all their own loading is becoming a bit of a rarity, Howard says. He believes this shows their determination to be the best and provide the best care for the pigs.

“I really enjoy working with Kameron and cherish the conversations we have about pigs,” Howard says. “He helps motivate me to always strive to do better every day.”

Jason Klein, manager at Dykhuis Farms, says many obstacles in the pork business can be overcome by simply executing the basics really well day after day. He believes Donaldson represents a guy who does this well.

“Everything on the site works like it’s supposed to, and chores are done every day like they are supposed to be done,” Klein says. “There is never any drama or surprises with Kameron Donaldson. He owns and manages all his responsibilities really well. He takes pride in what he does. It’s obvious every time I talk with him that he’s truly glad to be a farmer.

Donaldson recognizes his success is not his alone, and without his team, including his family and the crew at Dykhuis Farms, he wouldn’t be where he is today. He is proud to be called a barn hero.

“We want to keep doing a good job for Dykhuis Farms and make sure the finished product is in line with what they started,” Donaldson says.

Hayley believes this is possible because of her husband’s superpower – making things happen.

“He’s good at doing a lot of things,” she says. “He pays great attention to detail. If something needs done, we all rally around him and do what he says we need to do.”

This system works well for the Donaldson family.

“It’s a good life,” he says. “Farming is hard to get into, but if you have an opportunity to work with somebody who is already in operation, go for it. There are always farmers looking for people willing to work on a farm, especially on the animal side. I don’t think people realize how many opportunities may be out there with farmers who don’t have a succession plan or children wanting to take over the farming operation. It takes some time to find, but it’s worth it.”

Using Real-Time Data to Drive Optimized Feeding Programs

Wed, 13 May 2026 17:51:39 GMT

The transition from handwritten feed records to integrated digital production systems continues to reshape how pork producers manage nutrition programs. Operations that consistently capture, validate and analyze production and nutrition data are better equipped to identify inefficiencies, reduce variability and improve overall system performance.

Early tools such as spreadsheets improved recordkeeping and cost tracking. Today’s platforms go further by integrating feed delivery, inventory, health events and performance metrics into a single system. These technologies allow producers and nutritionists to align diet formulation with current barn conditions and make in-cycle adjustments that better match nutrient supply with pig requirements.

Real-time visibility into performance enables faster decision-making, tighter control of input costs and improved predictability of market outcomes.

Feed remains the primary cost driver

Feed represents approximately 60 percent of total wean-to-finish production cost, making it the most significant lever for improving profitability. Margin improvement is driven by increasing biological performance, reducing cost per pound of gain or achieving both simultaneously.

Standardized feeding programs across all pig flows often fail to account for variation in genetics, health status, barn environment, facility design and management practices. Precision nutrition requires diets to be formulated and adjusted based on both historical performance data and current production signals. Genetic potential for growth and disease resilience, current health status, barn environment, stocking density, feeding system accuracy and ingredient variability all influence how diets should be structured and managed.

While experience remains valuable, nutrition programs should be guided by measurable data and continuously evaluated against performance benchmarks.

Stage-specific metrics drive targeted adjustments

Effective data analysis depends on focusing on the right metrics at each phase of production.

Within the sow herd, the objective is to maximize throughput and lifetime productivity. Performance indicators such as pigs born alive, pigs weaned per litter, pre-wean mortality and lactation feed intake directly influence system efficiency. Lactation intake remains a critical control point, as inadequate consumption can reduce milk production, increase piglet mortality and negatively impact subsequent reproductive performance, including extended wean-to-estrus intervals. Variation within sow groups is substantial, with only a small percentage of animals representing the statistical average. Identifying and managing that variation creates opportunity for more precise nutritional and management decisions.

In the nursery phase, the focus shifts to feed intake, gut health and immune development. Early post-weaning feed intake, morbidity and mortality rates, treatment frequency and overall pig uniformity all play a role in determining downstream performance. Inconsistent intake or health challenges at this stage often result in reduced average daily gain and increased variability entering the grow-finish phase. Nutrition strategies must support palatability, gut integrity and consistent consumption to maintain performance trajectories.

During the grow-finish phase, feed investment is at its highest and directly tied to cost of gain. Average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, days to market and mortality rates are key performance indicators. Carcass data, including yield and composition, should also be incorporated into post-analysis to evaluate how feeding strategies influenced packer value. Modern data platforms allow these metrics to be benchmarked across groups and time periods, linking biological performance with feed cost and ingredient inputs to identify areas for improvement.

Real-time intake as a leading indicator

Feed intake remains one of the most sensitive real-time indicators of barn performance. Deviations in intake patterns are often the earliest signal that a system is off-track.

Reduced or inconsistent intake may indicate underlying health challenges, environmental stressors such as heat or cold, social competition within pens, mechanical issues with feeders or variability in feed quality and palatability. When intake data is captured continuously and evaluated alongside health and environmental inputs, it allows for faster identification of root causes and more timely corrective action.

Speed of analysis drives opportunity

One of the most common challenges when working with a production system for the first time is not just data availability, but how quickly that data is used. Even with strong recordkeeping, delayed analysis limits the ability to make meaningful adjustments within the same group.

Waiting until a group closes to evaluate performance restricts the opportunity to correct inefficiencies in real time. By contrast, continuous or near real-time analysis allows producers to adjust diets based on current intake and growth trends, identify issues before performance losses compound and improve feed efficiency within the active production cycle.

Data-driven nutrition improves ROI

In a margin-compressed environment, continuous evaluation of the feeding program is essential. Precision nutrition, supported by real-time data, enables producers to better align nutrient density with pig requirements, improve feed efficiency and reduce cost per pound of gain while maintaining consistent performance across groups.

As the largest input cost, feed must be managed with a high level of precision. Clear, complete and timely data provides the foundation for making informed nutritional decisions. When combined with sound management and disciplined execution, real-time data allows producers to respond faster, reduce inefficiencies and capture opportunities that directly impact profitability.

The Digital Farmhand: How AI is Solving the Agricultural Labor Crisis

Tue, 12 May 2026 20:01:45 GMT

Agriculture is facing a historic labor shortage at the same time artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how the world operates. Some fear AI adoption will result in job loss and businesses being left behind due to rapidly evolving technology. Others say AI is the digital farmhand agriculture needs right now to handle repetitive data tasks while humans focus on high-value animal husbandry or field work.

Either way, one thing is true – AI is not going anywhere.

“Whether AI replaces jobs or not depends on how the industry chooses to use it,” says Angel Andaya, manager of digital solutions for Silver Support, a managed development center supporting operations, finance, digital solutions, information technology and automation services.

If AI is seen purely as a replacement, she says that is likely the direction it will take. But it could also become a powerful tool to help farm operations thrive despite labor challenges.

The “Why Now” of AI: Accessibility and Adoption

While AI has existed for years (think Netflix recommendations and GPS), the launch of ChatGPT marked a paradigm shift that made the technology conversational and accessible to everyone, says Tracy Soper, senior director of data excellence at Keystone Cooperative.

“At 100 million [users] in two months, ChatGPT’s growth is unheard of – nothing has grown that fast,” Soper said at the National Pedigreed Livestock Council’s annual meeting. “Why? Because it was conversational and easy to access. It was something all of us could touch and could relate to, like, ‘Oh, this is a thing. It makes my life easier.’”

In the past, technology adoption took years. Now, it happens in months, creating a sense of “AI hysteria” and a need for clear strategy, he adds.

Problem First, People Always

Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for human expertise, it should be viewed as an amplification tool, he says. The strategy is to avoid expensive shelfware by starting with specific business problems.

“It can do a lot of things, but how are we going to use it?” Soper asks. “For us at Keystone, AI is not about replacing people; it’s making people better.”

Years ago, Soper says his job was to look over all things related to information technology (IT). Today that looks like AI and automation solutions as the cooperative’s scale has grown.

“For us, it’s starting very specifically with what problem we’re trying to solve today and then asking, ‘Why can’t we solve it with what we’ve got?’” he says.

Keystone takes a four-step approach:

1. Start with the problem, not the technology.

“AI only creates value when it’s solving a real business challenge. Companies that buy a tool, hand it to IT and expect magic end up with expensive shelfware,” Soper says.

2. Data readiness before algorithms.

“Any insight is only as good as the data feeding it,” he says. “We invested significant time building a modern data foundation before ever pursuing AI.”

3. Amplify expertise – don’t replace it.

“AI is not replacing agronomists, breed managers or the people closest to the animals. It’s amplifying their experience and sharpening their decision timing,” Soper explains.

4. Your data is the competitive edge.

“The competitive gap will be built on data readiness as much as algorithms,” he says.

In the future, Keystone is working actively in predictive machine learning and generative AI, using them to improve decision timing, streamline operations and better serve the producers who depend on the cooperative.

Shorten Time-Consuming Tasks

AI helps experts ask better questions sooner, Soper says. With data flowing more freely across the value chain, he believes there is great opportunity where AI and animal data converge.

For example, computer vision for body condition scoring, lameness detection and welfare monitoring is moving from research into practice in many barns. He’s also excited about how AI-assisted genomic prediction and health monitoring are advancing across species and can help make progress more quickly.

Andaya encourages farmers to think about the daily realities on the farm. What tasks are essential, but time consuming and repetitive?

“Even small improvements in how they are managed can free up valuable time and improve decision-making on the ground,” Andaya says.

If these processes are supported through AI, she believes it will enable farmers and their employees to focus more on animal welfare, planning and improving overall farm productivity.

“In this sense, AI is less about replacement and more about giving farmers and livestock teams the space to focus on what truly matters,” she says.

4 Tips for Successful AI Implementation

Agriculture and livestock operations are full of valuable data from daily logs to finances, Andaya explains.

“What’s changing is how effectively this information can be used,” she says.

Soper says Keystone has learned four important lessons in their journey to use AI more efficiently.

1. Data quality is everything.

Start with the data you own. Then budget time for discovery and cleanup.

2. Build for the people doing the work.

The tool needs to make someone’s job easier or it won’t get used. AI should amplify good discipline.

3. Scope tight, prove value first.

Prove it works before you scale. The business has to own the problem – IT enables, but stakeholders drive adoption and define success.

4. Governance can’t wait.

Policies around approved tools, data and data protection need to exist before people experiment. Once people start using AI on their own, it’s harder to rein in.

The Uterine Capacity Crisis: Managing High Litter Sizes in Modern Sows

Thu, 07 May 2026 15:55:35 GMT

How many piglets can modern sows conceive and how many can their uteri actually support? That’s a question University of Kentucky reproductive biologist Jonathan Pasternak is seeking to understand as decades of aggressive genetic selection have pushed litter sizes to historic highs.

Top-performing producers average nearly 16 piglets per litter, the University of Kentucky reports , with ovulation rates in some genetic lines reaching 40 oocytes — the number of eggs before maturation. Although geneticists have successfully increased the number of embryos a sow produces, uterine capacity has remained stubbornly unchanged.

Pasternak is leading a four-year study to investigate this issue through a $650,000 grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study the developmental impact of uterine crowding in the contemporary sow.

“Ovulation rate is exceptionally heritable, but uterine capacity can’t keep pace,” Pasternak points out. “We now have sows producing more piglets in a litter than they have nipples to nurse them.”

One of the Biggest Issues Facing the Swine Industry

The result is a condition known as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in piglets. Unlike traditional runts, which reflect poor genetic potential, IUGR piglets carry the full genetic capacity for efficient growth but are starved of nutrients in the womb, he says. Disruption during this sensitive period has lifelong consequences.

IUGR piglets can represent up to 30% of a contemporary litter but account for the overwhelming majority of preweaning mortality. Survivors grow less efficiently and rarely reach market weight.

“From a pure reproductive standpoint, this is arguably the biggest issue facing the swine industry today,” Pasternak says.

His team will track fetal development at sequential stages of gestation, measuring how and when individual organ systems begin to diverge between crowded and uncrowded environments. In the end, they hope to identify the precise developmental windows during which crowding begins to decrease growth. They will also look into why a subset of piglets appears naturally resistant to the effects of crowding.

Pasternak says he is not trying to roll back decades of genetic progress but to inform it. If the researchers can identify genetic and physiological markers that make some piglets more resilient to crowding, producers may be able to select for animals someday that maintain high litter sizes without the welfare and economic costs of IUGR.

“We’re never going back on litter size,” Pasternak says. “The goal is to perhaps inform the geneticists of what the limits of uterine capacity really are and find ways to maintain litter size while avoiding these low-quality piglets that won’t perform as desired.”

Pseudorabies in Swine: 5 Questions on the Texas-Iowa Detection

Tue, 05 May 2026 19:43:23 GMT

The recent detection of pseudorabies (PRV) in swine transported from Texas to Iowa has raised important questions regarding herd health and market stability. While the incident highlights the ongoing risk posed by feral swine populations, it also serves as a testament to the effectiveness of the U.S. animal health surveillance system. From rapid diagnostic reporting to swift regulatory action, the industry’s coordinated response ensured the virus was identified and mitigated quickly. To help producers navigate this situation, industry experts address five common questions about the risk, the response, and the safety of the U.S. pork supply.

Q. Do I need to be worried about the pseudorabies incident in Iowa and Texas?

A. “We know the pseudorabies virus is present in the feral swine population. On occasion, we see cases in domestic swine where pigs, specifically those raised outdoors, have a known risk of exposure to feral pigs. This case involved the transport of swine from Texas to Iowa, and it’s important to keep in mind that the diagnostic and regulatory system performed as we have planned and as it is intended to do. The surveillance program was in place, the diagnostic laboratory reported timely results, the state veterinarian was notified and took swift action in conjunction with the state’s department of agriculture and USDA, and traceability allowed for communication with the state of Texas, initiating a fast response there. While it is never ideal to have a case occur, the focus here should be that there is a known risk and industry measures in place to swiftly coordinate and address that risk.” – Dr. Anna Forseth, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) Director of Animal Health

Q. How can I protect my herd?

A. “To keep farms PRV-negative, producers should only bring replacement animals and semen from PRV negative sources, ensure that pigs do not come in contact with feral pigs, and should enforce biosecurity protocols of visitors and employees by using farm dedicated clothing and footwear exclusively, and avoid sharing equipment or materials with other farms.” – University of Minnesota Swine Group

Q. Has the U.S. had any export market response?

A. “NPPC is working closely with USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative’s offices on outreach to trading partners informing them of the detection of PRV and the steps immediately taken to mitigate the virus’ impact on U.S. pork exports. Strong animal health standards are a cornerstone of U.S. leadership in global protein supply, and the U.S. pork industry’s track record of eradicating and containing PRV should provide confidence to our trading partners in the safety and reliability of U.S. pork.” – Maria C. Zieba, NPPC Vice President of Government Affairs

Q. How do producers differentiate PRV from other respiratory/neurological issues?

A. “PRV can easily look like many common swine diseases such as influenza, PRRS or S. suis. Clinical presentation for PRV tends to be age-specific with neonatal/suckling pigs more likely to exhibit neurologic symptoms (including trembling, incoordination, convulsions, paralysis) and high mortality, while older growing animals tend to exhibit respiratory symptoms (including cough, dyspnea, rhinitis). Gestating gilts and sows can exhibit reproductive abnormalities including increased stillborn and mummified pigs, mummies as well as an increased rate of abortion. The virus cannot be detected based on observational, clinical signs alone. Working with your herd veterinarian to collect detailed herd health information and history in addition to a comprehensive diagnostic analysis is critical if a case of PRV is suspected. Veterinary investigation should be considered when animals of various ages are exhibiting symptoms that are outside of “normal” for the herd or that the herd has increased risk factors for PRV such as known exposure to feral swine or a PRV positive herd. Samples for diagnostic analysis include various tissues, serum, and oral fluids from affected animals.” – Dr. Lisa Becton, associate director of the Swine Health Information Center

Q. Is our food supply safe?

A. “It’s important for people to know that pseudorabies is not a food safety concern, and this virus does not pose a risk to consumers. The United States’ pork supply remains safe and secure.” – Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture

While the threat from feral swine remains a constant reality, the combination of robust diagnostic systems and proactive farm-level biosecurity provides a strong defense for the U.S. pork supply. Vigilance and strong biosecurity protocols ensures herds stay protected and the export market remains secure.

Pseudorabies (PRV) Confirmed in Iowa and Texas Commercial Swine Herds

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:17:16 GMT

For the first time since being eradicated in the U.S. commercial swine herd in 2004, pseudorabies (PRV) has been confirmed in herds in Iowa and Texas.

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed the detection of PRV antibodies in a small commercial swine facility in Iowa. The discovery was made through routine testing rather than pre-movement surveillance.

Traceback Confirms Texas Connection

Initial traceback efforts reveal that five affected boars in the Iowa facility originated from an outdoor production site in Texas. Subsequent testing of the Texas herd also returned positive results for the virus.

APHIS is currently collaborating with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) to expand traceback efforts and identify any further exposures.

The Feral Swine Risk

Although the commercial industry has been free of the disease for more than 20 years, PRV remains prevalent in feral swine populations across the U.S. Officials believe this detection is a result of “spillover” from wild populations.

“Pseudorabies is still found in wild or feral swine populations, which remain a potential threat of exposure for domestic pigs,” an APHIS release stated. The Texas herd involved was housed outdoors, where contact with feral swine is possible.

Impact and Symptoms

PRV is a contagious viral disease that serves as a significant threat to herd productivity:

Adult Pigs: Causes abortions, stillbirths, and respiratory issues.
Newborn Pigs: Attacks the respiratory and central nervous systems, leading to sneezing, incoordination, and high mortality rates.

While pigs are the only natural hosts, PRV can infect most other mammals—though humans, horses, and birds are considered resistant.

Official Response and Market Safety

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig emphasized that the state is moving decisively to eliminate the disease.

“The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has spent years preparing for these types of animal health events,” Naig said. “It’s important for people to know that pseudorabies is not a food safety concern, and this virus does not pose a risk to consumers. The United States’ pork supply remains safe and secure.”

Export Implications

Despite the lack of risk to food safety, the detection could have economic repercussions. APHIS warns there may be limited, short-term impacts on the exports of U.S. swine and swine genetics as trading partners evaluate the new health status.

“Established protocols were implemented immediately in response to the incident and remain in place to safeguard the commercial swine industry,” the National Pork Producers Council said in a statement. “These steps were successfully deployed through swift action and close coordination with USDA and the IDALS. The National Pork Producers Council and Iowa Pork Producers Association support these efforts and remain committed to a coordinated response to prioritize biosecurity and prevent further occurrences.”

Innovation and Health Take Center Stage at May and June Swine Conferences

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:10:29 GMT

From NC State’s Swine Innovation Forum in May to Iowa State’s back-to-back disease and production workshops in June, these events offer critical updates on research, technology and market trends for pork producers across the country.

MAY: NC State University Swine Innovation Forum
There’s still time to register for the 2026 Swine Innovation Forum on Tuesday, May 5 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Maxwell Center in Goldsboro, N.C.

The annual Swine Innovation Forum features presentations from keynote speakers from both the industry and academia, providing updates about innovations in management, research and technology within the swine industry.

From future-proofing swine sprayfield irrigation to pit management and indoor air quality impacts, attendees will hear about new research findings and production practices to improve your herd’s profitability. During the afternoon sessions, Lee Schulz of Ever.Ag will share a pork market economic outlook before Eric van Heugten shares about sow anemia and Mark Knauer unveils nutritional solutions to enhance sow livability.

JUNE: 2026 ISU McKean Swine Disease Conference
Save the date for the 2026 ISU McKean Swine Disease Conference on June 23-24, followed by Iowa Swine Day on June 25. This powerful lineup of events will kick off with a deep dive into enteric disease and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) management.

What and When:

Tuesday, June 23 (morning) – International Workshop on Enteric Diseases at the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine
Tuesday, June 23 (afternoon) – International PRRS Management Workshop ISU College of Veterinary Medicine
Wednesday, June 24 (whole day) – ISU McKean Swine Disease Conference (focus on swine health) at Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames, Iowa
Thursday, June 25 (whole day) – Iowa Swine Day (focus on production) at the Scheman Building in Ames, Iowa

McKean Conference attendees are also invited to attend the Iowa State University Swine Networking Social, the welcome reception for the ISU Swine Day conference, at the Hansen Agricultural Student Learning Center on the evening of June 24. Although the McKean Conference is a separate conference, it will be held back-to-back with Iowa Swine Day again. Conference organizers say this allows attendees to participate in two exceptional conferences in Ames in one trip.

Conference program information will be finalized soon, with registration to follow. For more information on the event, please visit the conference website .

How Geopolitical Disruption is Tightening Pork Supply Chain Margins

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:22:40 GMT

Indirect effects from geopolitical disruption are increasing cost pressures across pork supply chains, even as near term supply and demand remain stable, says Christine McCracken, senior animal protein analyst with RaboResearch, in the latest RaboResearch’s Global Pork Quarterly. Second- and third-order effects from energy, logistics and feed markets are becoming the defining risks for pork producers and traders in 2026.

1. Global pork markets face growing indirect cost pressures.

Although global pork markets entered the second quarter with generally stable supply-demand fundamentals, rising geopolitical tensions are increasing uncertainty across costs, trade and consumption, McCracken says. Even though direct exposure to the conflict in the Middle East is limited, margins across the sector are tightening from higher energy prices, logistics disruption and fertilizer-driven feed risks.

“Feed markets remain relatively well supplied after strong global harvests, keeping near-term costs contained,” she explains. “Yet rising energy prices and improving biofuel economics are pushing oilseed markets higher, gradually eroding feed affordability.”

The result is increasingly cautious hog producers, especially in regions facing disease challenges or high capital costs. It’s also affecting packers with higher costs for energy, packaging and logistics that will likely get passed on to consumers.

2. Consumer caution is rising in some markets.

Consumers are being cautious, too. The heightened global uncertainty is resulting in cautious consumer spending in some markets. McCracken says inflationary pressures are just beginning and may weigh more heavily on purchases in the coming months. Pork availability should remain steady and affordable for most consumers, but she warns that demand could soften as households look to economize.

“We expect consumers to take a more cautious approach to spending in the coming months. Foodservice sales and spending on premium products will likely see the greatest initial impact, and total spending on proteins is expected to decline as consumers work to manage their overall spending,” McCracken says.

She believes pork sales could see a modest benefit as consumers shift to in-home food preparation and trading down to pork as a value protein. As a whole, the protein segment is expected to come under modest pressure.

3. Markets face disease-related disruptions and trade frictions.

The devastating effect of diseases such as African swine fever (ASF) continue to slow production and add costs for the global swine industry. However, the industry is making improvements in the detection and control of disease spread. For example, the Philippines has reported a sharp drop in the number of ASF cases in Q1 2026, with the number of affected regions falling from nine to three, she says. Industry repopulation efforts remain slow due to high costs and limited financial support.

“As a result, supply in some markets remains tight, producers increasingly rely on the remaining herd and increasing productivity gains, and import volumes are rising to meet market needs,” McCracken says. “But shifting alignments and rising geopolitical turmoil are creating incremental trade frictions, bringing the potential for more protectionist trade policies that could impact the cost of key inputs, especially in the animal feed, equipment and animal health industries.”

The Producer’s Toolbox: 5 Essential Economic Skills for Future Swine Producers

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:49:36 GMT

The typical swine producer wears many hats, managing animals, employees, facilities, finances and markets. With such a wide range of responsibilities, preparing the next generation requires more than teaching day to day skills, it demands building a broad and adaptable professional toolkit. One essential skill set to add to that toolbox is economic reasoning and analysis.

Economics is often misunderstood. It’s sometimes confused with accounting or finance, or treated as a catch all term for anything involving business or money. In reality, economics is the science of how we use resources, and how to put those finite resources to better use. Just as an engine converts fuel into energy, economics views farms as systems that transform inputs into more desirable outputs. Capital, labor, land and other resources enter the system and emerge as food. In this framework, money isn’t a product; it’s merely a unit of measurement, much like horsepower or torque.

With that foundation in mind, here are five key economic concepts every future producer should understand.

1. Profit

When we view the farm as a transformation system, profit becomes the measure of how efficiently that system operates. If more output is created than inputs used, the farm is operating efficiently. It’s also important to remember that profit is relative. A farm is successful not just because it earns a surplus, but because it earns more per pig than its peers. In a competitive environment, the more efficient survive.

2. Opportunity Cost

If profit measures efficiency, opportunity cost measures what could have been. It’s the tool that helps determine whether a farm is operating at peak efficiency. Opportunity cost shows up in two ways. First, in decision making: if the farm reinvests $100,000 in one project, all alternative uses of that money disappear. Those lost alternatives need to be weighed against the chosen path. Second, opportunity cost emerges as lost potential, often from disease or errors like feed outages. Opportunity costs represent real losses. Even if they don’t appear in QuickBooks, they are just as impactful and often twice as dangerous because they can go unnoticed.

3. Modeling

Modeling turns concepts into insight and insight into action. A model is simply a structured description of reality. For instance, projecting a pig’s weight based on starting weight and ADG is a basic model. Models don’t need to be complicated, but they must be accurate. Start simple; once your model reliably reflects reality, you can expand it. Ultimately, a farm’s model should describe how profit is generated so opportunity cost can be evaluated with confidence.

4. Risk Analysis

Once a profit model is established, it’s time to test extremes. Ask “what if?” What if pig prices fall to a 20 year low? What if disease severely impacts performance? The goal isn’t to find breakeven points but to identify critical failure thresholds. Knowing those limits helps determine the most likely threats and how to mitigate them.

5. Variation

Risk analysis reveals a fundamental truth: averages rarely reflect reality. Weather, markets, and biological systems constantly change, making variation, not the average, the norm. Understanding and measuring variation opens new paths to improve efficiency. Variation often has disproportionate effects on profitability. A 10% change in a parameter rarely results in a 10% change in profit, due to how pigs are valued and how performance changes cascade through the system.

With these skills, tomorrow’s producers will be better equipped to meet, and exceed, the challenges ahead, positioning themselves to consistently achieve above average profits.

Lance Mulberry is an economist with KnowledgeVentures, LLC. He consults with producers, processors, pharmaceutical companies, genetics firms, nutrition, and technology providers throughout the global pork chain.

Can Bigger Pork Carcasses Keep Their Cool?

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:52:12 GMT

As pork producers continue to improve growth efficiency and push market weights heavier one question keeps coming up on the processing side: are carcasses getting too big for our current chilling systems?

It’s a fair concern. When things get bigger and denser, they cool more slowly. Most of us have seen this play out at home or at an event. Imagine the end of an FFA banquet…there’s a large pan of pulled pork left over, and it gets placed in the refrigerator to chill. The outside cools down quickly, but the center stays warm for a long time. That’s a problem because of what we call the “danger zone”: a temperature range where bacteria grow rapidly.

While food safety is always top of mind, the concern in pork carcasses is a little different. In intact muscles like the ham or shoulder, we worry less about bacterial growth in the interior. Instead, the bigger issue is how temperature interacts with muscle biology early postmortem. As pH declines after harvest, if muscle temperature remains high for too long, proteins can become denatured. When that happens, they lose their ability to hold water.

The result? Paler meat and reduced water-holding capacity, traits that can impact both fresh pork quality and further processing performance. This becomes especially important for the ham, where much of the product is destined for curing and further processing into items like deli ham. If proteins are compromised early, it can lead to weaker cured color and a drier final product after cooking. For processors, that’s a real economic concern.

So, what did we do to evaluate this?

At the University of Illinois Meat Science Lab, we tracked chilling in some very large pigs, around 400 pounds live weight. While the chilling in our facility is effective, it doesn’t have the advanced blast chilling systems found in many commercial plants. This meant that we were already in less than perfect chilling conditions and further stressing the system with some heavy carcasses. We monitored how quickly different muscles cooled and evaluated traits relevant to further processing.

As expected, larger carcasses chilled more slowly than smaller ones. We also saw differences across primals. Hams and shoulders cooled more slowly than loins. These effects stacked on top of each other, meaning that the hams from the heaviest pigs were the slowest to chill.

But here’s the good news.

Even under these less-than-ideal chilling conditions, we did not observe meaningful negative effects on ham color or processing characteristics. In other words, while heavier carcasses cooled more slowly, that slower chilling did not translate into reduced product quality in our study.

So, what’s the takeaway? For now, it appears that pigs have not outgrown our ability to chill them effectively. That said, this isn’t a “set it and forget it” situation. As I often remind my graduate students, much of the work in fresh meat science is about monitoring—identifying potential issues before they become real problems.

Carcass weights will likely continue to increase, and processing systems will need to keep pace. Staying ahead of these changes ensures that improvements in production efficiency continue to deliver high-quality pork products all the way through the supply chain.

For now, bigger pigs are still keeping their cool—but we’ll be watching closely.

Want to know more? Check out our publications about these pigs:

Effects of Pork Carcass Weight Category and Carcass Primal on Postmortem Temperature and Meat Quality by Kaitlin Guthrie and others

Pork Ham and Belly Processing Traits With Increasing Carcass Weight by Joe Metz and others

We appreciate support from the National Pork Board, whose investment in meat quality research like this helps ensure that production gains translate into high-quality pork products.

Chinese Pigs Fed New Menu as Beijing Weans Farmers Off U.S. Soy

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 02:07:18 GMT

At the edge of one of the many pig farms spread across the vast, unbroken floodplains of Taizhou, a two-hour drive northwest of Shanghai, a pair of square, four-metre pools of acrid-smelling ochre liquid hold the key to cutting costly soybean use in half.

The pools hold a swill of cheaper, locally sourced ingredients, which can include brans, pumpkin vines and wine lees. But it is fermented - like yogurt - so the proteins are already broken down and easy to digest, lessening the need for the higher-quality proteins in soy, 80% of which China imports.

For the farm’s owner, 47-year-old Gao Qinshan, the motivation is entirely monetary. Feed accounts for 70% of pig rearing costs, and soybean prices have jumped - squeezed by Beijing’s trade stand-off with Washington and compounded by war in the Middle East.

“Soybean prices have become so unstable,” Gao lamented.

With the industry already hobbled by oversupply and weak consumer demand, “pig farming has become unprofitable,” he said. “Everyone is thinking about how to cut costs.”

The grassroots fixation on overheads belies Beijing’s more strategic motivations: long-term food security and increased self-reliance.

The government sharply accelerated a drive to expand protein sources for livestock in March of last year, just as trade tensions ramped up early into President Donald Trump’s second term. Soybeans quickly became a key bargaining chip.

Reuters interviews with dozens of livestock and feed producers, state researchers and industry experts revealed Beijing is moving faster than previously thought to deploy new technologies and promote fermented feed.

It’s the agricultural equivalent of Beijing’s campaign to build domestic capabilities in microchips and artificial intelligence, catalyzed by Washington’s stringent controls on advanced technology exports to China.

In terms of agriculture, “the biggest national policy goal right now is soymeal reduction,” said Fu Zhenzhen, a feed analyst at Beijing Orient Agribusiness Consultants.

“The most direct reason for that is the trade war with the United States,” she said. “Fermentation is essential.”

Motivating Farmers to Switch

China is the world’s biggest buyer of soybeans, and imported $52.7 billion of the oilseed in 2024, $12 billion of which came from the U.S., the latest figures from the World Bank show.

Last year, inbound shipments increased 6.5% from 2024 to a record 111.8 million metric tons, according to Chinese customs data.

Fermented feed currently accounts for 8% of industrial feed in China, up from 3% in 2022, and is likely to hit 15% by 2030, industry experts predict. That could help China cut soybean imports by up to 6.3% from last year’s levels, according to Reuters calculations.

Pig farmers are just one piece of Beijing’s food security puzzle, albeit an important one, with pork a traditional staple of the Chinese diet - China is home to half the world’s pigs - and swine more dependent on soymeal than poultry or cattle.

Farms like Gao’s raise a third of livestock in China, the world’s biggest meat producer.

However, the switch to fermented feed requires a heavy commitment, often entailing the overhaul of entire feeding systems. Gao struggled initially, with feed growing mold and going to waste. Many farmers simply give up.

Beijing, characteristically, is leaving nothing to chance, offering incentives to every sector of the industry, and every link in the supply chain.

Targeting the Entire Supply Chain

China’s Muyuan Foods, the world’s biggest pig farmer, has reduced soymeal in its feed from 10% six years ago to 7.3% now using synthetic amino acids produced from fermented corn starch, Zhang Meng, director of the company’s feed division, told Reuters.

Agribusiness giant New Hope Liuhe has developed soymeal-free chicken and duck feeds by fermenting duckweed and other cheap protein sources, according to people familiar with the matter. New Hope did not reply to a Reuters request for comment.

Working with the government, China’s two biggest dairy producers, Yili and Mengniu, have cut the amount of soymeal in cattle feed by 20%, according to sources at the state-backed National Center of Technology Innovation for Dairy. Yili declined to comment, and Mengniu did not reply to a request for comment.

All of the figures on soymeal reduction are being reported for the first time.

China has also attracted foreign investment, with Dutch-based trading house Louis Dreyfus planning to build its first fermented feed production line in the northern port city of Tianjin.

“China is standing at the forefront of fermentation technology,” said Shambhu Nath Jha, principal consultant at Fact.MR.

The U.S.-headquartered consultancy estimates that the value of China’s fermented feed market vaulted to $6 billion last year, catching up fast on Europe’s leading but more mature market, worth $7 billion. The U.S. market, by contrast, is worth just $2.5 billion, because soybeans and corn are more readily available.

For poultry, China’s 25% fermented feed adoption rate already surpasses Europe’s 20%, according to Fact.MR.

Costs, Complexity and Taste

Beijing has momentum on its side: Pork prices at 16-year lows make any cost-reduction scheme an easy sell.

Where the fermentation pitch runs into problems is the lack of a standardized approach, analysts said.

Some argue that pigs mature more slowly if farmers simply ferment whatever food sources are available, and can be weaker to disease.

The ultimate test may be taste.

“There is so much demand from consumers for better quality meat, but the industry is just focused on reducing costs and doing what the government wants,” said Ian Lahiffe, an agriculture consultant in Beijing.

“There are a lot of benefits to feeding soybeans,” he said. “They need to think about how to avoid sacrificing animal health and meat flavor.”

(Reporting by Daphne Zhang and Lewis Jackson; Editing by Tony Munroe and Kevin Buckland)

2026 Common Swine Industry Audit Updates: What Pork Producers Need to Know

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:48:04 GMT

Nobody gets excited when an auditor pulls into the driveway, but in an era of increasing retail pressure and global scrutiny, the Common Swine Industry Audit (CSIA) is evolving from a simple checklist into a pork producer’s most powerful shield.

The CSIA task force’s 2026 updates are the most significant overhaul in a decade, shifting from looking for flaws to benchmarking positive welfare outcomes. By aligning with international standards and providing rigorous third-party verification of on-farm care, these science-based revisions are securing the industry’s ‘freedom to operate’ and ensuring U.S. pork remains a trusted, high-quality staple in the global supply chain.

Securing ‘Freedom to Operate’

The CSIA is a tool for third-party verification, not just internal training, explains Stephanie Wetter, National Pork Board’s director of animal welfare. It provides the credible data needed to justify pork’s place in the global supply chain and protects the industry’s right to operate by meeting international standards.

“CSIA does not teach. It does not train. It is third party auditing, verifying what you’re doing on farm,” Wetter says. “This helps to protect the ‘freedom to operate’ by giving us that credible third-party voice to demonstrate how our pigs are being cared for before these requirements are dictated to us by others.”

She’s quick to add that she understands people don’t get excited about having an audit done on their farm.

“It’s not necessarily fun to think about having someone come in and basically give your farm a test,” she says. “But the CSIA is not designed to focus on your flaws, and especially with the changes in positive welfare language. This is a way to brag about the good care and production that our producers are doing on farm.”

The CSIA is an industry-led effort that gives customers and packers confidence in their suppliers and helps justify keeping those farms in their supply chain because they have that third-party verification.

“There will always be opportunities to improve,” Wetter says. “It’s just the nature of agriculture and production, and especially in an industry that is committed to continuous improvement. The CSIA helps keep those conversations focused on outcomes, learning and progress, rather than focusing on punishment or one-off issues.”

From a system perspective, Brooke Kitting, senior veterinarian at Seaboard Foods, appreciates the feedback loop the CSIA provides. While it does identify things done well, it also identifies areas that could be improved. She says having this formalized audit tool to help them deliver that feedback has helped the CSIA to become a core part of their program.

What’s Changing in the Audit

The 2026 updates to the CSIA include both revisions and clarifications to audit standards and individual questions. Key updates include:

Animal Sampling: The animal sampling protocol was updated following recommendations from published validation research. The revised method is designed to detect at least a 0.5% occurrence at a 95% confidence level, improving data accuracy and consistency while maintaining practicality for on-farm use.
Animal Benchmarking Question Language: Benchmarking questions were reframed to report positive welfare indicators—such as the percentage of animals walking well or in good condition—reflecting a shift toward recognizing positive affective states while maintaining transparency about welfare concerns.
Animal Handling: Additional questions were added to capture a broader range of observed animal handling behaviors. All handling must now be performed in accordance with the site’s written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The section also includes expanded criteria for evaluating handling during transport, with added emphasis on space allowance during loading and unloading.

Kitting appreciates that the “Five Domains” of animal welfare are now being incorporated into the framework of the CSIA. The domains include nutrition, environment, health, behavioral interactions and mental state. This comprehensive framework ensures the audit tool is a true reflection of modern production.

Why ISO Compliance Clicks

The work the CSIA task force is doing to continue to improve the CSIA has a trickle-down effect to support producers’ ‘freedom to operate’ and protect their own supply chain domestically and internationally, Wetter says. In her role at National Pork Board, she interacts with all of the big retailers and food service brands.

“When we start talking about resources like PQA, PQA-plus site assessment, TQA and CSIA (which are all aligned), USDA has granted ISO compliance with all these programs,” Wetter says. “This means they are in line with the World Organization of Animal Health’s international animal welfare standards. When we start talking to our supply chain and they start hearing those words, that clicks with them.”

Coming from a production background, Wetter knows producers don’t always see that other end of these programs they participate in.

“Your participation is so incredibly valuable and meaningful to the other end of the supply chain,” Wetter says. “This is why we want them to continue to use and support these different programs.”

Kitting says it’s incredibly valuable to the Seaboard Foods system that the standards for care and pre-harvest pork safety are well defined, and everyone “sings the same song.”

“As you look at other species in the barnyard, it may not necessarily be replicated in other areas,” Kitting says. “We are incredibly fortunate in the swine industry to have all these programs that sing the same song and dance for us to follow.”

When "Something is Off": Identifying the Subtle Shift of PCV2d

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:46:23 GMT

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) doesn’t look like the devastating ‘wasting’ disease of two decades ago that resulted in high mortality and failure to thrive. Instead, it manifests as a subtle, persistent drag on production today that leaves producers feeling like something is simply ‘off.’

New research confirms the PCV2d genotype is now ubiquitous across the U.S. industry, appearing in over 80% of clinical cases. By matching the vaccine to the dominant field strain, experts say producers can provide the most robust protection possible, effectively taking PCV2 ‘off the table’ so they can focus their resources on more complex challenges like porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).

Why Modern Circovirus Doesn’t Look Like it Used To

The original PCV2 vaccines included protection against genotype “a” (the most common at the time) and “b.” What had become a major challenge for U.S. pig farmers was fading away because of the successful protection of these vaccines.

But something shifted, as viruses do. Veterinary diagnostic labs discovered less PCV2a and started finding more PCV2d.

“When they were finding PCV2d, they were not seeing the full-blown clinical signs like they saw before vaccines,” says Jana Morgan, DVM, senior key account veterinarian with Boehringer Ingelheim. “It led us to ask, what’s off? What do we need to look for? What more do we need to understand about PCV2d? We wanted to discover what PCV2d was doing to the system.”

To better understand how widespread this particular genotype was in the industry, Boehringer Ingelheim designed two studies. The first set out to determine if PCV2d was associated with particular flows or production systems from a geography perspective and system perspective. The other study sought to discover if PCV2d was actually leading to disease.

“We took two approaches to assess its distribution across the U.S. and swine-producing states,” explains Fernando Leite, DVM, associate director of technical marketing-swine at Boehringer Ingelheim. “We used oral fluids for simple detection and to see if genotype “d” was present or absent. We found that it was widely present in most swine producing states and across most of the production systems that we evaluated.”

In terms of the disease cases, the researchers followed strict criteria to validate that those pigs had clinical signs – lesions. Then, they sequenced the virus to see which genotypes were present.

“The ‘d’ genotype was present in more than 80% of the clinical cases that we investigated, and the ‘a’ genotype was present in around 15% of the cases that we investigated,” Leite says.

What Does This Mean for Vaccines?

Morgan points out there is cross protection between PCV2a and PCV2d. As the “d” genotype became more prevalent in production systems, the team worked to develop a “d” vaccine so they could have homologous protection.

“Although the ‘a’ is cross protecting, it is not doing exactly what we want it to do,” Morgan says. “We now have the ‘a’ and ‘d’ in the same bottle. It’s important to have that homologous protection to provide the most robust defense. I make sure producers understand that they will still have protection against ‘d’ if they only use the ‘a’ vaccine, but there is an economic impact by putting ‘d’ in there as well. Your production will be better, and you will decrease the clinical signs if you have ‘d’ in your system.”

When PRRS and PCV2d Mix

Recent research also indicates that PCV2d can be more virulent when combined with PRRS, Leite adds. That’s why it’s important to understand which genotype of circovirus is present on your farm.

“The more we understand, the more we can meaningfully intervene,” he says.

As PRRS also continues to evolve and become more frustrating for producers, Morgan says getting a handle on PCV2 helps.

“If we can take that piece off the table by putting a homologous vaccine in the pig that’s going to protect it to the best of its ability (whether it’s ‘a’ or ‘d’), we can start working harder to fight viruses like PRRS,” she says.

Do Diagnostics Align with a Shift in Data?

Producers are encouraged to look critically at small shifts in production numbers. If the “math is off,” diagnostics should be used to see if PCV2d is the underlying culprit, even in the absence of full-blown clinical symptoms.

“Understand what you’re seeing within your system,” Morgan says. “Yes, everyone looks at their closeout numbers. I think with PCV2d, the shift might be small. But if the diagnostics align with this small shift in production numbers, there are tools to shift that back.”

Questions about PCV2d being just in one flow or system in one area of the country have answers now, Leite says.

“PCV2d is really the predominant genotype in the industry today, across different production systems and states and locations,” he says. “Why not use the best tools that are available? If you want to optimize production, the tool is there. As always, work with your herd veterinarian to find the best strategy for your herd.”

Wean-to-Market Filtration: Advancing the Next Generation of PRRS Biosecurity

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 18:17:07 GMT

“Great innovation only happens when people aren’t afraid to do things differently,” George Carter said.

It has been nearly 20 years since the first commercial sow farms were filtered with the goal of controlling porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus. This was certainly different at the time. Farmers and veterinarians didn’t know if it would work. What they did know was that the survival of many family farms depended on changing the strategy in preventing PRRS.

For generations, the sow farm was a foundational piece to their family farm – a truth that still stands today. Ownership of sows was a way of securing a pig supply, controlling health and genetics, and building equity for the farm. PRRS was threatening that paradigm, as it was frequently infecting sow farms and eliminating the ability to consistently control health. For many farms, high infection rates were becoming unsustainable.

Fast forward 20 years, and filtration has become one of the pillars of sow farm biosecurity at Pipestone, now managing over 50 farms with air filtration. Those individuals who dared to think differently and took that initial leap of faith changed the course of history forever – both for their family farms, as well as for the swine industry.

Now, farmers find themselves asking the same questions about wean-to-market barns:

What can we do to reduce wean-to-market PRRS infection rates? Beyond abandoning or relocating barns?

We believe the time has come to challenge the current paradigms in wean-to-market PRRS control and consider if filtration is part of the next generation of wean-to-market biosecurity.

Examples in operation today, both in the United States and internationally, that have demonstrated proof of concept. In China, Pipestone has had firsthand experience with a concept called micro-filtration that has been effective in reducing both PRRS and African swine fever. Domestically, there are examples in operation that utilize a simple seasonal filtration design that mimics or comes from the basic concepts used in sow farms today. While the sample size is small and the duration is not long, the results thus far suggest the concept can be successful.

Two decades of filtration have taught us a couple lessons that are worth considering:

Filtration mitigates risk and reduces infections but does not eliminate risk. In dense swine-producing areas, filtration has reduced the frequency of breaks on sow farms. Our goal when looking at filtration should be to reduce the frequency of infection, not eliminate all risks.
Filtration only controls infection by air. We must have strong biosecurity in other areas of mechanical transmission as well to reduce PRRS infections. If farms are not going to execute on the basics of biosecurity, filtration is not the solution.

As with any innovation, we will continue to learn from both successes and setbacks. Standards for filtration may need to evolve to fit the unique challenges of wean-to-market settings, but the pursuit of perfection should not hinder progress. This technology will not fit everyone and is not needed for everyone, but for some farmers, this could be the next chapter in biosecurity for those brave enough to think differently.

Adam Schelkopf, DVM, is a veterinarian with Pipestone Veterinary Services.

Read More:
Finisher Sites Are the Weak Link in Swine Disease Biosecurity
Why Producers Must Lead the Charge Against PRRS
11 Steps to Eliminate PRRS from the U.S. Swine Herd

A $10.4 Trillion Engine: Agriculture Drives One-Fifth of the U.S. Economy

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 19:43:30 GMT

Did you know that close to one in every three jobs nationwide is tied to food and agriculture? The latest Feeding the Economy Report says food and agriculture support about 49 million jobs, which is about 30% of total U.S. employment. Although less than 2% are on the farm, when you add food manufacturing, wholesale and retail, that adds another 24 million jobs, or about 15% of the workforce.

Each year, the Feeding the Economy Report measures the downstream, off-the-farm economic impact of U.S. agriculture. Danny Munch, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, says the report tracks three layers of impact.

“When you combine those layers, ag supports about $10.4 trillion in economic output, or about one-fifth of the entire U.S. economy,” Munch said on the Newsline podcast .

2025: $900-Billion Growth in U.S. Agricultural Industry

The U.S. agricultural industry grew by nearly $900 billion over the past year, according to this study led each year by the Corn Refiners Association and sponsored by three dozen agriculture and food organizations, including the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC).

The first layer is direct activity, which includes the base level of food and ag production that is traditionally measured. It also measures supply industries like transportation, finance, equipment manufacturing and inputs in the second layer. The third includes the ripple effects of those two stages on how wages are earned and spent throughout the rest of the system.

“So, all the benefits we were talking about – jobs, wages, tax revenue – they’re tied to where that production happens,” Munch says. “If production shifts overseas due to cost pressures, regulatory burdens or competitive challenges, that economic activity moves with it. So, it’s not just about the food supply, it’s about all these other jobs, tax revenue and economic commerce that supports industries across every corner of every state.”

The report includes a state-by-state breakdown of agriculture’s economic impact, showing total jobs, wages, output, taxes and exports. Key findings include:

Food and agriculture generated more than $3 trillion in wages for U.S. workers, with wages rising 4% year-over-year and 13% over the past decade.
Food manufacturing remains the largest manufacturing sector in the U.S., employing almost 2.3 million workers.
U.S. food and agriculture exports were more than $177 billion, though exports declined by $5.4 billion year-over-year, underscoring the need for maintaining strong trade agreements and expanding market access for American products.
The food and agriculture sector produced $1.35 trillion in tax revenue for federal, state and local governments, a 7% increase year-over-year.

“The report confirms the incredible, positive impacts of agriculture on our country,” says NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys. “America’s 60,000-plus pork producers are proud to help drive this force that provides our food and other agriculture products—and the opportunity to be part of something bigger than themselves by carrying on a tradition of taking care of their families, neighbors, animals and land, and at heart, a way of living that often has been passed down for generations.”

U.S. pork producers annually generate more than $37 billion in personal income, contribute more than $62 billion in GDP, and support more than 573,000 jobs in the U.S. economy, NPPC adds.

The Next Guatemala? USMEF Sees Massive Upside for U.S. Beef and Pork in Ecuador

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 19:22:32 GMT

Ecuador recently became the ninth country to sign an agreement on reciprocal trade with the U.S. And while it will take some time to implement, once in place, the deal will greatly expand opportunities for U.S. beef and pork in Ecuador, according to U.S. Meat Export Federation Vice President for Economic Analysis Erin Borror.

Tariffs of 20% on beef and 45% on pork are mostly phased out, although there are exceptions on pork.
A 30% tariff on processed pork products which will remain in place.
The agreement recognizes all USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspected facilities as eligible for export to Ecuador, removing the need for individual facility approvals.

“The tariff on beef is basically 20% and that’s phased to zero in the agreement over three years,” Borror explains. “For pork, tariffs of 45% are mostly phased out. There are some exceptions on further processed products and sausages that will see tariffs remain at 30%.”

Borror says one of the key wins in these reciprocal trade agreements is getting countries to recognize FSIS, the U.S. food safety authority, as the competent authority.

“They will recognize all FSIS-inspected facilities as eligible to export, rather than going through onerous questionnaires, plant-by-plant audits and maintaining plant lists which have gotten to be unmanageable,” she says.

Borror expects export growth to be similar to what was seen in Guatemala after passage of the Central America Free Trade Agreement.

“Both of those countries have a population of close to 18 million people,” she says. “Their GDP per capita is somewhere close to $7,000, so very similar. And if we take Guatemala, U.S. beef export growth from 2006 to 2025, saw growth from $3 million to $105 million. For pork, the market went from $10 million to $148 million.”

In 2025, the U.S. exported virtually no pork to Ecuador and only $3 million in beef. She says there is great potential in Ecuador.

What’s Driving Grow-Finish Profitability in 2026?

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:35:51 GMT

Times change quickly. Fifteen years ago, a standard 2,400-head barn that cost $600,000 now requires aninvestment of nearly $1 million, points out Brad Eckberg, account executive at MTech Systems. With much of the U.S. finishing capacity built in the late 1990s and early 2000s reaching the end of its lifespan, the need is growing for expensive mechanical and structural overhauls.

“If you have an aging facility and want to do some remodels, I think there’s definitely a need for good space out there,” Randy Kuker, director of swine production for The Equity, explained during the recent State of the Pork Industry Report. “Where your challenge is going to be is if your facility is in an area where it’s surrounded by other pigs and has a lot of disease pressure, the value you’re going to get from integrators or even independent producers that want to use your facility is not going to be very high.”

With what he’s “hearing in the countryside,” porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) have been major issues brought up by people looking for spaces. Too much disease in an area is just too hard to manage.

“Health is king,” Eckberg agrees. “But ultimately, success in the wean-to-finish barn comes down to feed conversion and feed cost per pound of gain. Feed represents about 55% to 65% of the total cost of the pig, so keeping inputs low matters.”

However, he’s quick to point out that people in the barns at the slat level are key to making sure inputs stay low. For example, making sure no out-of-feed occurrences happen, keeping pens appropriately stocked and reducing stress on pigs that are being marketed can make a big difference.

Eckberg and Kuker joined Adam Annegers, JBS sow farm manager, and Cara Haden, DVM, director of animal welfare and biosecurity with Pipestone, on the April 2026 State of the Pork Industry Report. They share tips for contract hog growers to consider this spring.

1. Focus on the first 48 hours.

The transition from the sow farm to the wean-to-finish barn is the most vulnerable time. Success depends on preventing dehydration and ensuring pigs find water and feed immediately.

For Annegers, spending time in the wean-to-finish barns recently has helped him gain a better perspective of the downstream cycle. He believes communication is key.

“Each group of pigs is going to be a little bit different from the last group whether that’s due to health status, diet change or a treatment plan,” he says. “Review the health document with that grower on the group of pigs that’s coming prior to their arrival.”

Make sure the barn is ready to receive pigs from the temperature to ventilation to having the right diet ready to go, he adds.

“The most important thing to do when the pigs arrive is to make sure the pigs don’t get dehydrated,” Annegers says. “They’re used to having mom’s milk right there available to them, so making sure they find water and get started. Have the mats ready for mat feeding multiple times a day. And don’t just throw feed on the mat; get the pigs up and moving.”

2. Better biosecurity equals better production.

Disease management remains one of the most significant operational risks for all pig farmers, contract growers alike. Kuker says he has heard of three sow farms in the past few weeks that have experienced outbreaks of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).

“From what I’m being told, it’s a pretty bad one,” Kuker says. “High mortality, high abortion rate and then those pigs end up in the finishers. It’s very frustrating for those growers because it doesn’t seem like any antibiotic strategy is doing the pigs much good. It’s rather disheartening.”

He says it’s resulting in the producers and pig owners adding a lot of cost to manage with very few results.

“There’s not much the growers can do,” Kuker says. “The ones who end up getting those pigs just have to deal with it. The veterinarians have a good plan to transition those sows back to healthy pigs, but it’s hard when you know that group of pigs you’re getting is going to be a challenge, take a lot of work and not get anywhere close to the results you want.”

The Actinobacillus pleuropneumonia (APP) break from a couple years ago really opened producers’ eyes to ‘Oh, wow. We’re actually moving stuff around in grow-finish on people and equipment,’ Haden says. She believes as the industry moves toward disease elimination with the National Swine Health Strategy, the pressure will increase on grow-finish sites to do the same.

The better biosecurity is in your barn, the better your production will be, Haden adds. In a recent cost of disease project funded by Boehringer Ingelheim and the Swine Health Information Center, they’ve been doing some testing and biosecurity scoring to help determine production impact.

“We’re starting to see some very clear ties between better biosecurity and better production,” she says.

Eckberg says that it’s not hard to see how better biosecurity will also improve key performance indicators.

“Think about it – I’ve got healthy pigs so from a cost standpoint, I’ve got fewer medication costs,” Eckberg says. “I’ve got lower mortality so my labor retainment is higher. I’ve got improved average daily gain because they’re not sick. You name the metric – across the board – production will be better because of better biosecurity and better health.”

3. Look into manure as a strategic asset.

Manure is no longer just a byproduct; it is a significant revenue stream, Kuker says.

“We’re seeing a shift, especially with guys that were looking at expanding their operations or adding another facility, to look into ways to create more revenue from manure,” Kuker says. “Depending on your situation, if you’ve got a neighbor or somebody who wants that manure, we’ve got some people benefiting in the $3 to $5 range per pig space from it. On a 4,000-head site, that could generate $20,000 a year in income for that barn owner.”

Kuker says he is also hearing more and more talk about manure technologies. At a recent grower meeting, he learned about a manure separation process where solids are separated from the liquid. Then, the liquid can be set up to go into a planter for more precise and concentrated manure treatment.

“They are looking at 30 gallons per acre on that application and sometimes seeing an 18-bushel increase in yield by using that specific treatment,” he says. “We also heard about a farmer over in Indiana who was willing to pay $1 a gallon and wanted a million gallons of this stuff. There are definitely opportunities out there on the organic side for this fertilizer. And with the current prices where they are, I think you’re going to see more of this by people looking to branch out in their operations.”

4. Boost truck biosecurity.

“It feels like we control everything at the sow farm, we’re talking about improvements in biosecurity at grow-finish sites, but then we’ve got this black box of transport that’s often not something that we manage,” Haden points out. “A lot of times, it’s a third-party vendor and it’s out of our control.”

Washing and properly drying trucks is not an easy job, she says. In fact, it’s a big ask to get a truck and trailer perfectly clean every time.

“There are a lot of things that have to go right to get that done perfectly,” Haden says. “How do we verify that on a regular basis? How can we make sure every single trailer comes out clean?”

She believes truck audits and verification are a gap in the pork industry that needs to be focused on moving forward to be successful.

Watch the full report here.

Summer Marketing Period is More Than Summer

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 19:54:47 GMT

For 2026, the terminology around “summer marketing” has a slightly different context. Normally, the crush sheets indicate that those few summer months might be the only months of the calendar year that offer a market profit opportunity. However, for 2026, depending on individual production costs, all months have had and continue to have this potential. While all swine operations implement diets and management strategies with the end in mind, 2026 should bring even a sharper pencil to maximize this opportunity.

Real time decision-making economic tools discussed below for stocking rate influence on growth rate, DDGS inclusion recommendations, ideal net energy and amino acid inclusion (lysine and tryptophan), optimal diet phosphorus levels and feed additives use such as Skycis, among other tools are available here .

Try These Post-Weaning Practices

For the first three to four weeks post-weaning, there is a limited opportunity to accelerate growth rate to have a measurable impact on final market weight. In many cases, more time and investment should be devoted to ensuring pigs are started correctly, with properly sanitized facilities, accurate implementation of SOPs for newly placed pigs, proper ventilation and timely treatment of challenged pigs to ensure they are set up for the remainder of their growth stage to market. However, nursery nutritional programs that include in-feed acids, pharmacological zinc, super-dose phytase and other feed and water additives, with consistent data, can increase final body weight by 0.4 to 1.5 lb. at the end of this period.

Late Nursery to Marketing Tips

Once post-wean pigs are about 28 days post-weaned, they often respond to various nutritional practices to increase growth rates that are sustainable until marketing. These practices include increased dietary energy intake and use of growth promoters (some already mentioned in the post-wean section), such as pharmacological copper, ionophores and other feed additives. Some nutritionists formulate dietary phosphorus and various amino acids, such as tryptophan, at slightly higher concentrations to achieve higher growth rate targets.

A commonly used practice is to reduce or eliminate higher-fiber ingredients, such as distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) or wheat middlings, to increase growth. This also allows for increased dietary soybean meal, which can improve growth rates if currently included at low diet concentrations.

The use of added fat is a decades old practice that always gets discussed, but often the resulting improvements are only in the 1.0-2.0 lb. carcass weight basis, but the added feed cost in many U.S. locations can still be greater than the revenue received.

While nutrition is a piece of maximizing profitability in high market price months, management practices can often override nutrition changes for extra weight gain. Practices to increase days to market could include:

Double stocking nursery pigs longer for fall-marketed pigs to allow for more days on feed of finishing pigs during the summer months.
Utilizing a lower stock rate for targets periods of time as possible as a means to improve daily gain.
Altering marketing strategies to maximize days of feed of an entire barn population.

From the Front Lines to the Finishing Barn

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 21:15:13 GMT

The world is a small place. For Michael Williford, serving in the U.S. Army taught him that everything is connected in one way or another. He deployed to Iraq three times. He served in Afghanistan, Korea, Belgium, Germany and Kosovo, among others.

While he was serving as a military police officer all over the world, one thing always remained consistent: his wife Andrea was where he called home.

“College wasn’t exactly recruiting me at the time, so joining the Army seemed like a good fit,” says Michael Williford, the son of an Army veteran. “I was one of three in my class who went into the armed forces, but the only one who went into the Army.”

(Provided by Michael Williford)

“While I was in my first Iraq deployment, Andrea bought a house in Texas,” Williford says. “It’s kind of funny. Everybody was teasing me when we were coming home. They were like, ‘Is your wife going to pick you up?’ I said, ‘Well, I hope so, because I don’t know where I live.’”

During these years, Andrea had to make the majority of the decisions for their family. So, when Williford was nearing retirement after 20 years of service, he decided to go wherever she wanted to go.

Answering the Call Home

Andrea’s parents asked the couple to return home to run their family farm in Clinton, Ky. At this point, Williford was far removed from agriculture and admittedly didn’t know anything about farming.

“There was no succession plan in place for the family farm,” Williford says. “They assured me that it was OK that I didn’t know anything about farming and that they would help me learn. And they’d keep the farm growing while I finished up my service.”

To add value and create a “spot” for himself in the operation, he and his wife, Andrea, decided on contract hog production. While he was on a deployment to Afghanistan, Andrea went to the bank, completed archaeological surveys and went to work on how she wanted to create opportunities to grow and diversify their family farm. She called him to tell him the news while he was stationed in South Carolina.

“I told her, ‘You’ve followed me for the last 17 years. I’ll do whatever you want me to do,’” he says. “Andrea said, ‘I’m building the hog barns, and you’re going to take care of them.’”

The bank was also in favor of the contract hog production opportunity.

“In our area, there’s quite a few chicken farms and Tosh Farms was up and coming in Kentucky at the time,” Williford explains. “The contract differences were pretty tremendous. Your paycheck is locked in stone. Your contract terms are a lot better. I had a 10-year contract when we started out, so as long as I did what they told me to do, then we should be in good shape.”

A Soldier’s Eye for Detail

Returning to the family farm required taking some time to stand back and watch, listen and learn, he says.

“I had to figure out where I fit in and what would work best for the farm,” Williford says. “I asked a lot of questions of myself. What can I improve? What can I make better? What do I need to leave alone and not touch on the family farm? There are some things you probably need to let alone for a while.”

(Kentucky Pork Producers Association)

But when it came to the hog operation, he had the opportunity to make it his own and bring some of his military skill set into the mix.

“As a contract grower, the long-term commitment and structure was appealing,” he says. “Tell me what to do, and I’ll make sure it happens. I’ll execute.”

The repetitive nature of the job is perfect for a retired soldier.

“I enjoy walking through the barns, making sure everything is the way it should be,” Williford says. “If something’s out of place, it stands out. That’s where the military training really helped me the most. If one feeder isn’t as full as the one next to it, I notice. Then, I figure out why.”

Managing the Big Picture

Being a contract grower allows him to work with a talented group of experts in swine health, nutrition, production and more. He enjoys being able to focus entirely on animal husbandry and management without the stress of market volatility or feed costs.

His one piece of advice for people considering contract hog production is to be prepared for the management component. From taking care of buildings and equipment to having a plan for the manure, management is a key part of his day.

(Kentucky Pork Producers Association)

“You’ve just got to look at it with eyes wide open to see the big picture of everything going on and have a plan,” Williford says. “You still have to manage it all. When it comes right down to it, every piece of gravel in the parking lot belongs to me. Every two-by-four in the building belongs to me. You have to make it work in order to pay for it.”

The 20-Bushel Benefit

There’s no question the benefits go beyond the paychecks. For the last 40 years, Andrea’s family has always tried to use as much animal manure as possible to fertilize their farm ground. Everyone was happy to get an extra 200 acres of fertilizer every year from our pigs, he points out.

“We can definitely see a huge difference in soil health overall,” Williford says. “I’m not a scientist or anything, but around here, there’s a difference between white dirt and black dirt. We have white dirt here and we have black dirt here. Some of our dirt that was brown is now actually turning black after a few years. We used to forecast that we were going to make 170-bushel corn, and we’ve since upped that to about 190 because of our pig manure.”

At the end of the day, Williford says his passion for farming connects closely to his passion for serving his country.

(Provided by Michael Williford)

“The military is really big on traditions – remembering the past and preserving the heritage and culture of those who came before us in the military,” he says. “Farming is not that much different. People have great pride in being a multigenerational farmer.”

Preserving a farm in the same location for centuries is an incredible feat. It’s important to the Williford family to do the same.

“Long after I’m gone, I hope there’s some descendant of mine who says this is a 300-year farm,” he says.

Discover more about Williford’s experience in the military, his passion for agricultural advocacy, his thoughts on being a dad and his insights on the pork business by watching “The PORK Podcast” on YouTube or by listening to it anywhere podcasts are found.

Sow Longevity: New Study Confirms Critical Management Triggers for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 20:48:20 GMT

Sow mortality continues to frustrate U.S. pig farmers. One of those key causes of sow mortality is pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Previous studies on purebred sows show that there is no silver bullet to prevent POP, but susceptibility can be reduced by genetic selection because it has a substantial heritability. A new study shows the same correlation exists among the crossbred (F1) commercial sows, but that’s not the only factor contributing to prolapse incidence.

A recent study led by Tricia Haefner, a master’s degree student at Iowa State University, evaluated genetic and non-genetic factors associated with susceptibility to vaginal/uterine POP in crossbred sows. She wanted to validate the non-genetic factors tested in the Iowa State University POP project led by Jason Ross , including the association of body condition score and perineal score measured during late gestation with POP in crossbred sows.

Data were collected on 3,983 crossbred sows during late gestation on two commercial farms in the Midwest during the summer of 2023. The data include:

Body condition score (1-5)
Caliper units (5-24)
Perineal Score (PS, 0=low risk; 1=moderate/high risk)
POP – defined as vaginal or uterine prolapse (0/1)

All sows were housed in group pens 35 days after breeding, except for a subset of sows at one farm, which were placed in groups immediately after weaning and managed according to California Proposition 12 regulations and moved into farrowing within 5 days prior to her due date.

The “Thin Sow” Problem

Using body condition score and the sow caliper tool, this study confirmed a “glaringly obvious” linear relationship between body condition score during late gestation and POP.

“Sows that are too thin during late gestation are at a substantially higher risk of prolapse,” says Jenelle Dunkelberger, a geneticist at Topigs Norsvin USA.

She says that’s an important message for the industry to hear right now.

“Late gestation is just a snapshot in time, but we should consider what her body condition at this time point might imply about her development prior to that point,” Dunkelberger says. “For instance, we need to be aware of, and perhaps even implement changes, regarding how she’s managed prior to late gestation to ensure that she is in the appropriate body condition going into farrowing, to maximize her success for longevity.”

Within parity groups, the data showed higher parity animals are also at a higher risk than gilts or Parity 1 sows.

Perineal Scoring as an Indicator

Researchers used a 1–3 scale developed by Iowa State University’s Jason Ross and former graduate student Zoe Kiefer to score the perineal region for swelling and redness. They found a high genetic correlation between perineal score and actual POP, indicating that these are, genetically, the same trait. More specifically, genetic predisposition for an unfavorable perineal score is strongly correlated with genetic predisposition for POP. Because perineal issues occur at a higher frequency (33%) than actual prolapse (2.4%), it can be considered a higher-resolution “indicator trait” for early identification of susceptibility to POP.

“POP is a binary trait – you either have a prolapse or not,” Dunkelberger explains. “Unless you have a high incidence rate, statistically, it’s tricky to analyze these types of traits. That’s why a trait like perineal score, which appears to have a higher incidence rate, may be an attractive indicator trait for POP.”

For this study, they did not see a large incidence of 3 scores, so they grouped together scores 2 and 3 and called them a moderate to high risk.

“We want to use this perineal score to try to develop an indicator of prolapse because you don’t get to see the incidence of it until it actually occurs,” Haefner says. “This helps identify it a little sooner so we can develop mitigation strategies.”

Prop 12 and Group Housing Stress

A significant finding showed that sows in Prop 12-compliant systems (weaned directly into groups) had a higher risk of POP and high perineal scores compared to sows kept in stalls for the first 35 days post-breeding.

“That was a little bit of a shock, but also we know that there’s a lot of stressors occurring around that time frame,” Haefner says, noting that there was limited data for this subset of animals. “It’s a critical time point of breeding and just getting off of lactation, wanting sows to recover their body condition. Even though those sows in that group were at this higher risk, we actually saw higher average body condition scores and caliper scores for them at late gestation.”

The sows were recovering, but Haefner says more research is needed to determine what’s different during that 35-day period as compared their non-Prop 12-compliant sows. She suspects hierarchy, including competition for feed, to be a key factor.

Still More Genetic Work to Do

After compiling this data, Haefner performed a genetic analysis on the tissue samples she collected.

“We were looking at perineal score and actual prolapse incidence,” Haefner says. “We were able to find moderate heritability for both of those traits, validating the heritability of POP in a commercial, crossbred population.”

Haefner says there’s still more that genetics can contribute to reducing the incidence of POP and improving perineal score.

“Perineal score and prolapse together being highly correlated means that we can utilize perineal score to also help mitigate against prolapse and select for perineal score alongside prolapse as well. Or, potentially, use perineal score in place of POP, to select for reduced incidence of POP,” she adds.

In other words, the same genes that control susceptibility to an undesirable perineal score are the same set of genes that control POP.

A Multi-factorial Approach is Needed

“Genetics can be part of the solution, and should be part of the solution,” Dunkelberger says. “But moderate heritability indicates that the majority of phenotypic variation in that trait is actually influenced by non-genetic factors. Therefore, you need to address both the genetic and non-genetic factors influencing POP to make a substantial reduction in the incidence rate of POP.”

Topigs Norsvin USA has been performing direct selection against susceptibility to POP since 2021. Dunkelberger says that should continue to reduce the genetic susceptibility to that trait, but effort should also be invested into looking at these non-genetic solutions as a way of complementing that approach.

“The lowest hanging fruit is body condition,” Dunkelberger says. “There are different ways to go about managing body condition and different things that can influence it. Having awareness of the relationship between body condition during late gestation and susceptibility to POP is important. I really believe that proper management of body condition will pay for itself in terms of sow retention.”

March Hogs and Pigs Report: Record Litter Rates Offset Smallest Breeding Herd Since 2014

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 23:18:49 GMT

The total hogs and pigs inventory in the March 1 USDA Hogs and Pigs Report was 74.3 million head, up 0.4% last year and a little below analysts’ pre-report estimates.

“These quarterly reports always help us reset our market expectations,” says economist Lee Schulz during a webinar hosted by the National Pork Board. “We have a quarter’s worth of slaughter data, production data and demand data that comes at us, and this gives us a chance to reevaluate those expectations.”

He praised the December Hogs and Pigs Report for being “spot on.”

“USDA only missed by 6,000 head,” Schulz says. “That’s astonishing, given that we slaughter about a half a million head a day ... that margin of error was very small. I think that gives us a little more confidence as we look at this latest report and how those market hog inventories may play out over the next six months.”

He notes numbers in this report are close to a year ago .

“I think one interpretation of the market is that we’re not seeing larger supplies now, but we’re also not seeing shrinking supplies,” Schulz explains. “Relative to pre-report expectations, overall we would see tighter levels than what those pre-report expectations would tell us. Now, how much and for how long our markets react to that is to be debated.”

A Look at the Numbers

The total inventory for all hogs and pigs on March 1 was 74.3 million head, up slightly from a year ago, and down 1% from Dec. 1, 2025.

The market hog inventory on March 1 was 68.4 million, up 1% from 2025 but down 2% from the previous quarter. The total number of hogs under contract owned by operations with over 5,000 head, but raised by contractees, accounted for 53% of the total U.S. hog inventory on March 1, up 1% from 2025.

The breeding inventory came in at 5.89 million head, down 1% from a year ago, and down slightly from Dec. 1. The December 2025 to February 2026 pig crop, at 33.2 million head, was up 1% from 2025. The number of sows that farrowed during this three-month period was down 1% from 2025 at 2.79 million head, which represents 47% of the breeding herd. The average pigs saved per litter was 11.90 for the December 2025 through February 2026 period, compared to 11.65 last year.

U.S. hog producers intend to farrow 2.86 million sows during the March through May 2026 quarter, up slightly from the actual sows farrowing during the same period in 2025, but down 2% from the same period in 2024. Intended sows farrowing for June through August 2026, at 2.90 million sows, are down 2% from the same period in 2025, and down 3% from the same period in 2024.

“Revisions were very minor from the December report,” Schulz says. “I think that’s really important, because if there’s not a lot of revisions to the report, that means that there’s not a lot of moving parts when we think about how to interpret the report, as well as how the market may react to the report.”

All inventory and pig crop estimates for March 2025 through December 2025 were reviewed using final pig crop, official slaughter, death loss and updated import and export data. The revision made to the December 2025 all hogs and pigs inventory was 0.2%. The net revision made to the September 2025 all hogs and pigs inventory was 1.3%. A net revision of 2.8% was made to the June-August 2025 pig crop.

A Smaller Breeding Herd with Record Productivity

The breeding herd came in 1.5% below March 2025 levels, a larger contraction than analysts expected. Schulz notes this is the smallest March 1 breeding herd since 2014.

“The size of the breeding herd makes sense relative to the slaughter data,” he says. “We’ve seen an annualized slaughter rate of 48.5% that is lower than what the five-year average is, but you did see some notably large slaughter culling rates back in 2020, 2023 and 2024 but it is higher than we’ve seen over the 10-year average. That is indicative that there is still some contraction in the industry.”

Despite a smaller herd, productivity continues to climb and offset some of that contraction. Litter rates jumped 2.1% year over year, setting new records, Schulz says.

“It’s like when you start setting records in a race,” he says. “You don’t set records by a really large gap; usually it’s by milliseconds. What the latest litter rate data would say is, again, we’re jumping back up to setting those records by a wide margin.”

According to the report, producers intend to farrow fewer sows in the coming quarters compared to previous estimates. He says this is likely due to the shrinking breeding herd and market uncertainty.

Is There an Incentive to Add Weight?

Schulz points out that hog slaughter is down 0.9% year to date, according to the latest data. However, he says it’s important to remember this is unadjusted data.

“We need to adjust for slaughter days, which can change interpretation here,” he says. “Yes, hog slaughter is down 0.9% year over year, but we’re not necessarily comparing apples to apples.”

When adjusting for slaughter days, it shows that slaughter is actually up compared to 2025 year to date, depending on the metric that you like to use, Schulz explains. Weekly slaughter would suggest slaughter is up about 0.5% since the beginning of the year.

“I would really encourage you when we make some of these comparisons, when we’re looking at slaughter levels, when we’re helping benchmark the Hogs and Pigs Report, know what you’re comparing,” he says. “I like to use the daily data adjusted for slaughter days, or it’s pretty easy to use the weekly data, and that helps smooth out some of those comparisons year over year.”

Market weights are roughly 2 lb. heavier than 2025 levels. Low feed costs and available finishing capacity provide a strong incentive for producers to add weight, he says.

Profitability Outlook

Cash prices for weaned and feeder pigs are at or near record levels, signaling strong demand for barn space and optimism regarding forward margins, Schulz says.

Costs remain elevated, roughly 31% higher than in 2020, driven by inflationary pressures on non-feed variables.

The forecasted average profit for 2026 is approximately $15 per head. While positive, Schulz emphasizes that producers are still in a “healing” phase for their balance sheets after the heavy losses of 2023 and 2024.

“Favorable margins with some upside are possible, but there’s notable downside potential based on historical levels,” he says. “During the 2016-2026 period, the range in profits was -$57.97 to $57.31. During the 2016-2025 period, 60% of months were profitable and 40% were unprofitable.”

Over the 74 months since 2020, the average per head marketed is $2 per head, according to the most recent actual data in February 2026.

“Balance sheets continue to recover,” Schulz says. “As you think about where these inventories are in the latest Hogs & Pigs Report, the 1.5% decrease in the breeding herd and not a whole lot of growth in the inventories, I think this is a bit indicative we’re still healing some of those balance sheets out there.”

Pork in the Crosshairs: NPPC Responds as Mexico Launches Double Trade Case Against U.S.

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 19:51:53 GMT

The relationship between the U.S. and Mexican pork industries is facing its most significant test in years. According to Maria Zieba, vice president of government affairs at the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), the Mexican market is unlike any other—and it is currently under threat.

In 2024, exports to Mexico were over $2.6 billion. In addition, Mexico’s geography creates the possibility of land exports, which is a unique export market condition for the U.S. pork industry. Mexico is a major consumer of pork, and the U.S. pork industry has decades-long partnerships with buyers there to satisfy demand for high quality, readily available pork products.

The Allegations: Dumping and Subsidies

The Mexican government accepted two petitions from the Mexican pork industry in December 2025. Mexico then initiated two cases on U.S. pork in December. The first case alleges that the U.S. was dumping product (selling below fair value) during a three-year time period (2022-2024) into Mexico on hams and shoulders specifically.

The second case alleges that the federal government and five state governments (Indiana, North Carolina, Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota) gave subsidies to grain producers and pork producers and processors. They claim this created an unfair advantage to the U.S. because producers may have received funds from the federal government and packers may have received some benefits to modernize a packing plant, which went on to lower the price of U.S. pork hams and shoulders exported to Mexico.

“We are compiling all the evidence to show that’s not what happened,” Zieba says. “The Mexican government will receive all of these responses we gather, and from there, they will review the responses and figure out whether there was harm done to their domestic industry on both the cases.”

If Mexico reaches an adverse determination, they could start putting tariffs on U.S. hams and shoulders.

A Bull’s Eye on U.S. Agriculture

It is unfortunate, Zieba says. The U.S.-Mexico market is highly integrated and shares several common interests such as animal health.

“It’s important that we come together and push back on these cases, not only from the industry side, but from the broader context of the U.S. government,” Zieba says. “If we don’t push back, then there’s a possibility that other countries will attempt to do these things not only to our industry, but also to other agricultural industries.”

She says it’s almost natural for foreign trading partners to put a bull’s eye on agriculture because the U.S. does such a great job of exporting.

“It’s certainly important to be on the record that this is not how the U.S. pork industry operates, but we also are not going to let other countries bully us around,” Zieba says.

Together with the U.S. Meat Export Federation, NPPC will be filing an industry petition in response to these allegations. They are working with the exporters listed in the petition, in addition to exporters in general and importers in Mexico, USTR and USDA.

A Complex Situation

It’s been years since the U.S. pork industry has had a trade case filed against it on its exports. She says it’s complex because there are now two cases, many players and political aspects as well.

“Domestic producers across the board in Mexico are the ones that went to the government asking for assistance in curbing the imports,” she adds.

The U.S. and Mexico are experiencing trade tensions, Zieba points out. Essentially, there are many issues geopolitically between the two countries outside of agriculture.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum wanted to have a resolution on the tomato suspension agreement , a separate agreement between the U.S. and Mexico that was terminated in 2025, Zieba says. Sheinbaum had said if it wasn’t resolved, then pork would be on the list to retaliate against. Zieba believes U.S. pork is being used as leverage.

“We are free traders through and through,” she adds. “That is our position and has continued to be our position the last 30 years. The industry believes that to lower all barriers, whether tariff barriers or nontariff barriers to trade, would be trade limiting. Our industry would not be supportive of something like that. It would go against our policy that we’ve had on the books for decades.”

How Does This Compare to Chicken Anti-Dumping?

The pork anti-dumping case is very similar to the poultry case that the Mexicans launched a number of years ago. The Mexican government, the arbitrator in both cases, found fault with U.S. poultry exports, but they never imposed duties.

“You can still export product from the U.S. to Mexico without having to pay that dumping duty,” Zieba says.

They aren’t imposing the duty because it would be negative for Mexico consumers.

“Mexico is dealing with some high food price inflation already, and it is not in the best interest for those consumers to be paying higher prices at the grocery store,” Zieba says. “That’s a pretty big argument for why this is quite silly to be initiating a case on U.S. pork at a time where the Mexican industry and Mexican consumers need a reliable source of U.S. pork.”

Unfortunate Timing with USMCA Review Ahead

With the review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) coming up this summer, the timing of these cases is challenging. If Mexico reaches an adverse determination, U.S. producers and/or the U.S. can appeal through the dispute settlement mechanisms of the USMCA and/or the World Trade Organization agreements.

“We have a very collaborative working system where we are highly integrated,” Zieba says. “This pushes against that work we’ve had. If you look at the Canadian, Mexican and U.S. pork industries and our producers, we’ve been growing. Our three industries are a great success because we are integrated. We help each other out, but we also are able to be competitive in the international market and domestically.”

NPPC filed initial comments earlier this month in what is an ongoing process. Pending outcome, Zieba says preliminary duties could be assessed as early as late spring or early summer. The final case will be determined in early 2027, but duties can be implemented in a preliminary phase.

“If the final decision goes against the U.S. pork industry, the worst-case scenario is facing two tariff rates on U.S. pork hams and shoulders as we go into the summer, and those temporary duties assessed,” she says. “We are doing everything we can at NPPC and with USMEF to prevent that from happening. But that’s certainly on the spectrum of possibilities.”

Feed Cost Surge from Iran War Deepens Pain for China's Pig Farmers

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:34:17 GMT

Rising grain prices fueled by the Iran war are lifting animal feed costs in China, the world’s biggest pig market, piling pressure on producers already hit by weak demand and hog prices at 16-year lows.

Since the start of the war on February 28, futures for soymeal and corn - two key feed ingredients - have climbed to multi-month highs on the Dalian exchange, driven in part by the oil price rally, higher freight rates and rising fertilizer costs, two analysts said.

In March, spot prices for soymeal and corn in China have risen by over 200 yuan per ton and around 100 yuan per ton - 7% and 4% respectively - increasing real-time feed costs.

Prices for other inputs, including lysine and methionine - essential amino acids - as well as fishmeal and vitamins A and E have risen between 6% and 77% this month due to the war, according to Rosa Wang, an analyst at Shanghai JC Intelligence Co.

“Prices for most raw materials used in animal feed have experienced a significant increase in March, partly driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,” said Lin Guofa, senior analyst at consultancy Bric Agriculture Group.

Overcapacity and Weak Demand

Chinese hog producers, who account for half of the world’s pigs, are grappling with higher costs even as they contend with falling pork prices due to overcapacity and weak demand.

China’s most-active hog futures contract DLHcv1 fell to a contract low of 9,980 yuan ($1,448.16) per ton on Monday. Cash prices tumbled to 9.69 yuan per kg - the lowest in 16 years, according to JCI.

“Raising a hog that weighs about 60-62.5 kg currently costs 12.2-12.5 yuan per kg. This means farmers lose 280-350 yuan for each pig they sell,” said Lin.

Plunging Hog Prices, Negative Margins

Smaller farmers, who account for less than 30% of China’s pig production, risk being pushed out of business as they are especially vulnerable to price swings, analysts said.

“For small farmers now, either you sell your pigs cheap or you grit your teeth and bear it, get through this price drop, and then wait for the pig price to rebound,” said Fu Zhenzhen, feed analyst at Beijing Orient Agribusiness Consultants.

Li, a 600-head pig farmer in northern Hebei province, said he has been losing money since last year.

“We are being roasted by fire now. Pork prices are so low, but feed costs have jumped sharply in March,” Li said.

Since last year, Chinese authorities have intensified efforts to rein in overcapacity, urging breeders to cut sow numbers and manage slaughter rates, while recently buying frozen pork for state reserves to stabilize prices.

China’s sow herd totaled 39.61 million head at the end of December, remaining above the normal holding level of 39 million.

“Going forward, pork prices will mainly depend on how aggressively companies trim their herds,” said Pan Chenjun, senior animal protein analyst at Rabobank in Hong Kong.

($1 = 6.8915 Chinese yuan renminbi)
(Reporting by Ella Cao, Daphne Zhang and Lewis Jackson; Editing by Tony Munroe and Shri Navaratnam)

Finisher Sites Are the Weak Link in Swine Disease Biosecurity

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:45:34 GMT

The U.S. swine industry relies on a multi-site system where pigs are moved between separate farms for different growth phases. Although efficient, this constant movement of pigs, people and equipment creates significant pathways for disease transmission.

“While sow farms often follow strict biosecurity protocols, there is limited information on how these practices are implemented and their impact on pathogen introduction in growing pig populations,” Mariah Negri Musskopf, DVM, said at the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Annual Meeting in Las Vegas.

Wean-to-finish sites play a critical role in disease dynamics but are less frequently studied. Musskopf and a team of researchers at Iowa State University set out to identify bioexclusion practices associated with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) outbreaks in U.S. wean-to-finish sites.

A prospective observational study was conducted on 95 wean-to-harvest sites managed by eight companies across six states, including 33 nursery, 17 finisher and 45 wean-to-finish sites. All flows were either PRRSV-negative or PRRSV-positive stable vac¬cinated with modified-live vaccine at placement, Musskopf explains. Sites completed a detailed biosecurity survey covering 17 categories, including local swine site density. Oral fluid samples were col¬lected every four weeks from placement to market, refrigerated, and submitted to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for analysis.

The “Finisher” Problem

The results showed finisher sites were the most vulnerable, with an 82.4% outbreak rate, compared to wean-to-finish (66.7%) and nurseries (33.3%).

“These findings show that site type and farm density are key driv¬ers of PRRSV outbreaks, with finishers in dense areas at greatest risk,” says Musskopf, a graduate student at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Some of the top risk factors discovered include:

Local Farm Density: For every additional swine farm within a one-mile radius, the odds of a PRRSV outbreak increase by 62%.
Carcass Disposal: Using rendering services was associated with a 6.47 times higher odds of an outbreak.
Human Connections: Employees who live with others who also work in the swine industry face a 6.15 times higher odds of bringing the virus to their site.

Proven Protective Measures

There’s power in downtime. Implementing overnight downtime for employees who work across multiple sites significantly associated with lesser outbreaks, providing a critical window to prevent cross-contamination.

The study suggests prioritizing biosecurity and surveillance on high-risk finisher sites is beneficial, especially those located in “swine-dense” geographic areas.

Controlling PRRSV requires looking beyond the sow farm, Musskopf says.

“Veterinarians and production systems can use this knowledge to improve surveillance and biosecurity on high-risk sites, review practices adopted during carcass disposal and employee downtime, and cohabitation,” Musskopf says. “Targeting these factors can reduce opportunities for virus introduction and improve regional PRRSV control.”

The Path from PRRS Control to Elimination

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:00:13 GMT

The “why” behind elimination of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is clearer than ever, veterinarian Reid Philips said during the Alex Hogg Memorial Lecture at the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Annual Meeting.

The statistics are staggering, he points out.

• PRRS costs the U.S. industry $1.1 billion annually.
• Acute breaks lead to a 278% increase in injectable treatments and pre-weaning mortality rates as high as 100% in some weeks.
• A single system can lose $1 million to $3 million in the 10 weeks following a break.

So, what holds producers back from eliminating this devastating virus? Philips believes the fear of reinfection is heavy on the minds of some pork producers. Only after controlling the virus and reaching a stable status can producers decide if they want to eliminate it or not, he adds.

“The fear there may be having a naive herd and then having a reintroduction of a new heterologous virus, and experience the break,” he says. “That’s the fear I would have. Can I prevent the rebreak?”

That’s a tough question to answer, Philips says.

Moving Beyond the Silver-Bullet Mentality

The industry has gained a lot of information and knowledge through research and experience since the “mystery disease” made its entrance in the late 1980s.

“We know there is not one tool in our toolbox that is a silver bullet, but if we can apply all the tools in a systematic and coordinated fashion, we can move the needle,” he says.

The industry should strive to get breeding herds to a stable status where they are weaning negative pigs, Philips says.

“We need to focus on managing the virus and in wean-to-finish flows, beat it down to a more manageable level and reduce the viral risk,” he adds. “I think we can employ pilot projects, whether they be system-based or regional-controlled pilot projects. We have the knowledge, tools and protocols to do that and prove that we can achieve not only regional control, but even regional elimination and minimize rebreaks.”

He knows this won’t be easy, but he believes it’s doable.

A Five-Step Checklist

In his mind, this is not just a science- and evidence-based discussion. It’s a business one. He encourages producers to consider a step-by-step approach to PRRS:

Step 1: Identify the goals of the program.
Step 2: Determine current PRRS virus status.
Step 3: Understand current constraints.
Step 4: Develop solution options.
Step 5: Implement, monitor and measure preferred solution inclusive of complementary components of a PRRS virus control program.

The Impossible Just Takes a Little Longer

Through the efforts of field-applied research and continuous learning, Philips says the industry is overcoming obstacles and turning them into opportunities.

“We have the tools (biosecurity, immunity management and diagnostic monitoring) and knowledge to apply what we’ve learned in a systematic, coordinated process to improve our ability to control and eliminate PRRS virus,” Philips says. “The components of regional control offer framework for programs to mitigate its economic, health and welfare impact.”

The effort will require industry leadership as well as patience and persistence. It will also take time, along with collaboration, coordination and communication with all stakeholders.

“It’s a long journey to the top of the mountain,” Philips says. “It’s never easy, but when you get there, the view at the top is well worth the trip. As the U.S. Marines often say, ‘The difficult things we do immediately; the impossible, it just takes a little longer.’”

One More Pound of Consumption: The $1.6 Billion Opportunity for Pork

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 20:16:19 GMT

What would happen if every American ate just one more pound of pork per year? David Newman, chief executive officer of the National Pork Board, says it’s worth approximately $1.6 billion of U.S. retail value.

“Do you believe that that’s possible?” Newman challenged delegates at the National Pork Industry Forum.

The math is straightforward. With approximately 345 million people in the U.S. and an average per capita consumption of 50 lb., he calculates that an incremental 1-pound increase—priced at the average retail rate of $4.70 per lb.—would result in a $1.6 billion surge for the industry.

To get there, Newman says the industry must stop thinking “one pig at a time” and start thinking “one pound at a time.” While U.S. producers are world leaders in production efficiency, Newman argues the next great horizon is domestic demand.

From “Push” to “Pull”

Newman points to South Korea as the “dream” benchmark. In South Korea, per capita consumption is 70 lb., representing a massive gap in untapped potential for the U.S. pork industry.

To achieve greater consumption in the U.S., he says the industry must move from a “push” strategy where the industry liquidates supply via low prices to a “pull” strategy where it creates a high desire for pork so consumers seek it regardless of price.

“You’ve got to increase the units per household,” he says. “We need more households buying more pork. It means you have to get more trips per year. Trips — literally trips — where they drive to the store, choose to buy pork and choose to drive back again.”

Currently, the average U.S. household makes fewer than 10 trips to the store per year to buy pork. One additional trip per household and consumers spending more money on pork can change the economic landscape. Not just for retailers, but for producers.

Is the New Campaign Working?

The “Taste What Pork Can Do” campaign is the engine behind this “pull” strategy. Launched in May 2025, early data show an incremental return on ad spend (I-ROAS) of $83. For every $1 of Checkoff investment, the campaign returned $83 in retail sales through December 2025, according to Numerator.

“As someone who has been in the business and looks at these numbers every day with our team, I’m also very cautious,” he says. “A one-to-four return is considered very good. $83 is a big number, a great start in our long-term demand efforts.”

To ensure these gains translate to the farm gate, the National Pork Board is developing the Pork Power Index, a new ROI measurement designed to tie retail success directly back to producer value. While the campaign is only 10 months old, Newman stressed that economic experts emphasize 40 months of data are needed to establish firm long-term trends.

The Hispanic Growth Engine

While the national campaign gains steam, a new parallel effort is launching to capture the Hispanic market—a $4 trillion demographic where pork is already a cultural staple. The campaign, “Explora todo el gusto del pork,” will target major hubs like Houston, Chicago, Phoenix, Dallas and Los Angeles with culturally specific messaging. It loosely translates to “explore all the flavors of pork,” which aligns with messaging around taste and flavor and the Taste What Pork Can Do campaign.

With a $4 trillion market and pork already at the cultural center of the community, the Hispanic population is viewed as the primary driver for future domestic growth, he adds.

A Transformational Time

Although the opportunity ahead of the pork industry is historic, Newman reminds producers it requires patience.

“It’s like trying to turn an aircraft carrier with a canoe paddle,” Newman says. “It takes time to shift this piece, but we have to believe we can do it.”

He urges producers not to radically shift strategies based on headlines but to allow the current data-driven campaigns time to work.

“Let’s encourage people to get fired up and believe in what we’re doing,” Newman says. “When we invest together, we can show the world exactly what pork can do.”