2012 World Pork Expo New Product Tour Showcases Innovative Products
While the 2012 National Hog Farmer World Pork Expo New Product Review Panel found there were often a number of products targeting the same need at this year’s trade show, they worked hard to make sure they brought forward new ideas for consideration wherever possible.
Attitudes about Food Production are Eye-Opening
During the recent North American Strategy Conference on Animal Agri¬culture held in Chicago, the Center for Food Integrity (CFI) assembled a diverse panel of consumers from the area. Panel members were unaware that they were speaking to an audience primarily made up of food producers and distributors.
Food Supply Chain Communication Drives Positive Change
That was the overwhelming message to those attending the Center for Food Integrity (CFI) North American Strategy Conference on Animal Agriculture held in Chicago recently. Participants included agricultural producers, food distributors and restaurant and grocery store supply chain managers from across North America. The conference goal was to identify ways to build consumer trust for food animal agriculture.
Security Cameras Provide Added Protection
In recent years, the number of break-ins at remote hog building sites has escalated. Sometimes animals disappear; other times, equipment, copper or steel are the target. Sadly, cruelty to animals, vandalism and destruction of property have been the motives behind unauthorized entry.
It's All About the Pork at World Pork Expo 2012
It's all about the pork at World Pork Expo this year. Everywhere you look something tasty seems to be on the grill. Take a look at our photo gallery from the first and second days of World Pork Expo and be inspired (and possibly hungry).
What Brought You to World Pork Expo?
We asked National Hog Farmer booth visitors to share the main motivator that got them to journey to Des Moines for World Pork Expo this year. They also told us about the coolest thing they had seen so far on the first day of Expo.
Wanted: Pig Pictures
National Hog Farmer believes all hogs are beautiful and we think you might agree! To share our pork industry enthusiasm we are inviting our readers to submit your favorite photo of your ugliest--or prettiest-- pig.
How to Make Good Use of a Smartphone
Pat Thome did his homework to make sure he bought a smartphone that would be rugged and could stand up to the challenging and often dusty, dirty and wet conditions in barns and outdoors. His phone is an important tool he uses every day in his farrow-to-finish operation near Adams, MN.
Tackling Smartphone Technology
More and more pork producers are turning to smartphones as a go-to tool within their operations. The dizzying array of applications, or “apps,” as they are commonly called, can seem a bit overwhelming.
Pit Foaming Continues To Perplex Researchers
Researchers from several Mid¬western universities have teamed up to investigate potential causes and, hopefully, solutions, to the perplexing and dangerous problem of foaming manure pits under swine buildings.
Urban Media Reports Abound on Antimicrobial Issue
Not surprisingly, consumer interest in food production has driven press coverage this week of the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decisions regarding antimicrobial use in livestock production. The FDA issued three documents guiding veterinarians, farmers and animal producers on the judicious use of medically important antibiotics in food-producing animals by eliminating production uses and targeting antimicrobial use to only address diseases and health problems. A variety of experts weighed in on both sides of this issue in stories across the nation.
NPPC Responds to FDA Antibiotic Stance
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) issued a news release this week responding to the publication of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) documents in the Federal Register pertaining to the reduction of antimicrobial use for food-producing animals. Under the new, voluntary initiative, certain antibiotics would not be used for production purposes, such as to enhance growth or improve feed efficiency in an animal. These antibiotics would still be available to prevent, control or treat illnesses in food-producing animals under veterinary supervision. A three year “phase-in period” would elapse before these changes become effective. The dates of the phase-in period are currently unspecified.
Co-Product Antibiotic Levels Nearly Nil
Livestock producers and their nutritionists have been wondering whether antibiotic residues from the ethanol fermentation process might linger in the distiller's co-products used in livestock diets.
