Controversial EPA Administrator to Step Down
Lisa Jackson made few friends in the nation’s capitol as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). On Thursday, Jackson announced she was stepping down after President Obama’s annual State of the Union address in January.
Handle with Care
Whether due to lameness or unproductivity, culling sows is a frequent event on most hog farms. Because it is not a daily task, it is not given the emphasis and training needed to effectively manage this neglected profit center, says Terry Whiting, DVM, manager of Animal Health and Welfare, Manitoba Agriculture and Rural Initiatives.
Measuring Mycoplasma
Porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) continues to account for a majority of the economic losses associated with disease in the late finishing period. Mycoplasma pneumonia is a major contributor to that syndrome.
Air Leak Detectives
Without a doubt, the process of filtering a sow farm is a costly and time-consuming process, according to Jeff Feder, DVM, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, MN.
Blocking PRRS Virus
A four-year University of Minnesota research trial found that air filtration was 100% effective in blocking porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus from entering a model of a swine production region.
Prevailing Over PRRS
Monte Moss, DVM, is a realist. He knows that with 110,000 pigs being finished within a six-mile radius of his northern Indiana hog farm, he will never be “home free” when it comes to security against outbreaks of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).
Purdue Economist Addresses Ethanol Mandate
Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Vice President Geoff Cooper said recently that if a partial waiver of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) is granted, as requested by some governors and a number of agricultural organizations, and it did reduce the amount of corn used for ethanol and biodiesel production, there would be consequences. Cooper says it would mean the price of distiller’s grain and soybean meal would increase and net feed costs might actually increase for some livestock and poultry feeders.
USDA Issues Guidance for Storm Sandy
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing guidance for residents in states that have livestock and pets that might be affected by Hurricane Sandy. USDA is offering these tips to help residents protect the health of these animals in the event of power outages, flooding and other problems that could be associated with the storm.
Producers Face Large Losses Ahead
Pork producers are expected to continue to suffer very large losses in the next six months after already operating in the red for the last six, according to Purdue University Extension economist Chris Hurt. These large losses have been brought on by the extreme feed prices due to the drought.
Addressing Sow Lameness
Why is sow lameness such a big deal?
Animal welfare has always been and continues to be a priority for the swine industry, according to Tim Loula, DVM, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, MN.
Animal activists are also watching and taking undercover videos that make proper animal care even more important than ever, he says at the Feet First Sow Lameness Symposium in Minneapolis, MN, sponsored by Zinpro.
SowBridge Kicks off Fifth Year
SowBridge begins its fifth year of distance education on Nov. 7. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Swine Specialist Duane Reese says subscriber suggestions have helped maintain the value of the program.
Manure Calculator
With uncertain markets and narrow margins, producers become motivated to make the most of all resources — including manure, according to University of Minnesota Extension economist William Lazarus, Extension educator Jose Hernandez and Extension educator Les Everett.
Tips for Drought Application
This year’s drought has producers wondering what early harvest means for early manure application. Iowa State University (ISU) specialists provide some observations and some solutions to those concerns.
New Study Targets Pork Quality
The 2012 National Retail Benchmarking Study is a massive project divided into two parts. The first part and first year have been devoted to the development of a computer model that randomizes selection and aides collection of data from retailers and club stores that sell pork products, both prepackaged and those prepared for sale in the backroom.
