Surviving the Feed Crisis
Since 1988, there have been 4-5 major downturns in the swine industry, each time challenging producers to find ways to decrease feed costs and boost feed efficiency, says Bob Thaler, South Dakota State University Extension swine
specialist.
Drought Webinar is Aug. 29
In response to the current drought situation facing Iowa pork producers, Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach swine program specialists will host a webinar on Wed. Aug. 29 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at various locations.
Refining Feedback
The Fairmont, MN, Vet Clinic puts a new spin on feedback techniques.
Enhancing Disease Surveillance
Whether tracking reported cases of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) or quickly addressing an animal health emergency, Indiana Board of Animal Health (BOAH) officials are ready to respond.
Managing Gestation Sows in Groups
With major pork buyers such as McDonald’s, Hormel and Safeway announcing plans to move toward gestation stall-free suppliers, a growing number of the nation’s hog farmers are exploring group housing options.
Coalition Pushes Ethanol Waiver
In the midst of what may turn out to be the nation’s worst drought in about 70 years, a diverse coalition of livestock and poultry organizations is petitioning the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to waive the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) for the rest of 2012 and for an appropriate portion of 2013.
‘It Can Happen to You’
It’s been nearly four years since Minnesota pork producer Lynn Becker received the shocking message that an undercover farm video had been taken at a newly acquired 6,000-sow farm in Bayard, IA, and that it was being posted on the Internet.
Pork Checkoff’s Sow Housing Research
During the past 10 years, Pork Checkoff has invested more than $1.3 million to fund 20 research projects related to sow gestation housing. The projects focus on key factors to optimize a particular type of housing system.
Defending Freedom of Choice
At a World Pork Expo news conference last month in Des Moines, IA, National Pork Board CEO Chris Novak made it clear that the rush to prohibit pork suppliers from housing sows in gestation stalls is a judgment made in haste and without any basis in science.
Balancing Dietary Costs
It used to be about all that pork producers worried about when it came to swine rations was availability of feed ingredients, and, of course, the prices of corn and soybean meal. But, currently, virtually all other key ingredients in swine diets also cost more, according to Joel DeRouchey, Extension swine nutritionist at Kansas State University (KSU).
