It appears 2011domestic pork demand will end the year showing a gain compared to 2010. I say “it appears” because the final pieces of data – December pork exports and imports – will not be available until mid-February. My calculations for December 2010 through November 2011 show demand 1.2% higher than the same period 12 months earlier. Plus, the calculations of University of Missouri Agricultural Economist Ron Plain, who used estimated December trade figures, indicate demand will be positive for the 2011 calendar year. That record was built with solid gains in the first half of the year and “hanging on” in the second half as burgeoning exports reduced the amount of pork available in the United States and, I believe, a softening economy slowed the pace at which retail prices could be increased. Retail prices still set a record in September at $3.56/lb. and remained near that level ($3.46/lb.) in December, but steady demand would have pushed those values even higher given larger exports and concurrent lower domestic availability/consumption....More

Officials who will be involved in decisions related to the use of vaccines to help control a U.S. outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) have two ways to access important guidelines. The National Animal Health Emergency Management Services (NAHEMS) Guidelines and the Appendix on FMD vaccination are available without registration at http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Emergency-Response/fad-prep.php...More

Focusing on barn management details prior to entry, while loading the barn and while performing daily chores can help improve feed efficiency....More

  Information about the latest trends and research focused on staying competitive in the swine industry will dominate discussion at Kansas State University’s 2012 Swine Profitability Conference on Feb. 28. The conference will be held in the K-State Union’s Forum Hall. “Our profitability conference annually attracts leading-edge producers and other key decision-makers of the swine industry,” says Jim Nelssen, swine specialist with K-State Research and Extension....More