Hog Production
In the fast-paced world of business, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day operations, but true success lies in working on your business, not just in it.
Not only does the Q1 2024 sow and grow-finish data compiled by MetaFarms indicate improved mortality rates, but this past quarter marks the highest quarterly average daily gain (ADG) in the history of MetaFarms data.
There’s no doubt pork production is a noble calling, says Iowa State University extension swine specialist Colin Johnson. But the reality remains that farmers still have to cover production costs and earn a living.
Training your employees to identify illness and lameness early can improve sow longevity. Here are 4 tips to incorporate in your operation.
Ensuring the health and safety of our pigs is a top priority for every producer. While we often focus on biosecurity measures at sow farms, it’s just as crucial to implement strong protocols in wean-to-finish barns.
Preweaning mortality is a complex issue, says Cara Haden, DVM, of Pipestone Veterinary Service. That’s why the pork industry continues to search for answers to improve pig livability on the farm.
Here’s an overview of the most important matters of concern brought before legislators this week at NPPC’s spring Legislative Action Conference in Washington, DC.
The pork industry needs to share the good news of what producers are doing on the farm more, especially around the topic of sustainability.
When assessing the health of your barns, certain factors can enhance productivity and profitability. Balancing cost management with pig health requires a holistic approach evaluating each animal but also the whole barn.
We live in a world where there is a disconnect between swine producers and pork consumers. This makes it important to understand how the public might view changes to farming practices before they happen.
“Anything worth doing, is worth doing badly.” This quote is a reminder that any undertaking that is important cannot wait for ideal circumstances before proceeding. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.
Managing pigs on small swine farms during spring and summer involves several key considerations to ensure the well-being of the animals and optimize farm operations.
There are moments when stakeholders may disagree with the direction commodity organizations take, says Steve Malakowsky. His suggestion is simple: if you seek change and don’t align with the trajectory, get involved.
Taking the Hogs and Pigs Report into account, along with USDA’s recent report of intentions to plant 4.6 million fewer corn acres this spring and tighter than expected corn stocks, the pork outlook is fairly bearish.
Whether you’re a seedstock swine producer, a commercial pork producer with internal multiplication, or a farmer purchasing your own breeding stock, here are four steps to implement to facilitate genetic improvement.
EPA’s proposed effluent permitting guidelines for meatpacking plants under the Clean Water Act will significantly disrupt packing capacity and inflict additional severe financial harm on producers, NPPC says.
Of all the numbers in the latest USDA Hogs and Pigs Report, the number that caught economists’ eye was pigs saved per litter. Here’s why Steve Meyer, Ever. Ag senior economists, says this is a number to watch.
The potential for a successful sow starts well before the sow is first bred. Here are five ways you can improve sow longevity by focusing on the gilt from weaning until the time of first breeding.
Iowa continues to lead the pack as the top producer of hogs in the U.S. But which states round up the top four? USDA ERS releases the latest cash receipts data.
Why would a farm convert to become California Proposition 12 compliant? It’s a fair question that Phillip Hord, president of Hord Family Farms in Bucyrus, Ohio, continues to ask himself.
H-2A. J1. TN. Don’t be intimidated by this short list of visa worker programs, Dianne Bettin says. They connect U.S. farms with access to “amazing people with great work ethic.” Why should you consider them?
While listening to some of the brightest minds discuss hard topics like sow mortality and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, I am reminded change won’t happen unless we get honest with ourselves.
Change starts with you, National Pork Board president Bob Ruth passionately shared with pork producers during the National Pork Industry Forum in Chicago. Here’s why your voice is needed now.
Is the ability to focus on the farm a superpower? It might be, especially in modern pork production systems. Here’s a look at MetaFarm’s preliminary 2023 data and why focus is more important than ever on the farm.
The latest MetaFarms reports show sow death loss in 2023 was at an all-time high at 15.3%. That’s up 1% from a year ago – a trend that continues to move in the wrong direction.
Sow death loss wasn’t the only number to trend in the wrong direction in 2023. Wean-to-finish mortality increased from 6.87% in 2022 to 7.61% in 2023. Brad Eckberg shares his perspective on opportunities to improve.
With all of the data available at a producer’s fingertips, no one can argue it can be overwhelming. With all of that information on hand, what are the key metrics people should look at on a periodic basis?
The chairman of New Hope Group, one of China’s biggest pig breeders, said he is “optimistic” hog prices will pull out of a multi-year slump this year as government policies to stimulate the market take effect.
China issued new regulations to control the nation’s pig production capacity after an aggressive expansion of farms over the past two years led to an oversupply, a move that could reduce the world’s largest pig herd.
A variety of topics ranging from biosecurity breaches to PRRS kicked off conversations during the 2024 American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting. Here’s a quick glimpse of what some experts had to say.