Sow Management
Explore the latest news, research and practical resources pork producers need to optimize sow herd health, productivity and longevity. Stay informed on effective management strategies ranging from nutrition and reproductive performance to farrowing care and housing regulations.
Jamil Faccin, post-doctoral researcher in applied swine nutrition at Kansas State University, shared five key feeding strategies to achieve success with gilts during his presentation at the 2023 Leman Swine Conference.
One day, he’s hanging out with his brothers, basking in the warmth of his mom. The next day, he gets mixed in with his neighbors and finds himself in a new home. Here’s why getting pigs off to a good start is essential.
Where is the pork industry on its path to a PRRS-resistant pig? Matt Culbertson, chief operating officer at PIC, provides an update.
Dalton Obermier works to develop novel phenotypes available for genetic selection in hopes of speeding up genetic progress towards feed efficiency and conversion by utilizing the NUtrack livestock monitoring system.
Pork processor Triumph and others dispute legality of a Massachusetts law about sow housing regulations.
Sow mortality due to POP is even more relevant than a year ago because it’s no longer an issue isolated to the U.S. Sow mortality reports are increasing around the world. That’s why a new genomics study is turning heads.
Beef packers put away the red ink last week as they turned modest profits on every animal processed. Feedyard margins, however, slipped a little further away from positive.
Cattle feeding margins declined $45 per head last week, leaving average per head losses at more than $77.
The pain eased somewhat for cattle feeders last week, but losses remain more than $170 per head.
It was another ugly week for cattle feeders.
Cattle feeders added a little powder and lipstick to closeouts this week, but the ugly continues to shine through.
Cattle feeding margins took another turn south last week after a nearly $4 per cwt. decline in fed cattle prices.
Cattle feeding margins took another tumble last week after a $1 per cwt. decline in fed cattle prices.
The financial pain of feeding cattle eased again last week, but losses remain more than $125 per head.
The pain eased somewhat for cattle feeders last week, but losses remain more than $97 per head.
Last week saw dramatic improvement in cattle feeding margins, yet triple-digit losses remain.
A $6 per head decline in cattle feeding margins is tolerable, unless you were already losing $112.
Cattle feeding margins took two steps back last week as cash cattle prices hover around what producers hope are the summer lows.
Cattle feeders and beef packers are hoping the price lows are in for the summer as both operated at a loss last week.
With cash fed cattle prices tumbling $6 per cwt. last week an increase in cattle feeding losses was certain.
Cattle feeding margins took another tumble last week as cash fed cattle prices declined $2.40 per cwt.
Beef packer margins jumped into the black last week while cattle feeders saw their margins improve $88 per head, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.
A $4 per cwt. rally in cash fed cattle prices reduced losses for fed cattle to less than $50 per head last week.
Already facing steep losses, cattle feeders saw their margins decline further in a dismal pre-Labor Day market.
Beef packers saw their margins jump $51 per head higher last week, ending with profits more than $83.
Cattle feeding losses nearly doubled last week as cash fed cattle prices declined another $2 per cwt.
Last week’s $2.50 rally in the cash market was another step in the right direction, but closeouts remain $26.46 per cwt. short of break even.
It’s been a rough fall for cattle feeders, but cowboys found some signs last week that suggest the worst may be behind them.
Cattle feeders hope the cash market found its bottom last week.