National Hog Farmer Blog

Photo Galleries Help Fine-Tune Stockmanship

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:30:00 +0000

National Hog Farmer prides itself on the ability to provide research-based information about the business of pork production to our pork producer readers. Over the years, we have worked hard to come up with ideas on how we can help pork producers with the important job of feeding a hungry world. Toward that end, we’ve worked with the industry’s finest veterinarians, scientists, educators and other leaders to produce a series of well-received educational posters illustrating everything from recognizing swine diseases to heat detection and assisted farrowing. Recently, we’ve undertaken the process of transferring this great information into online photo galleries for producer reference. This week we posted the first of a series of gilt selection photo galleries on the http://nationalhogfarmer.com/ Web site. If you haven’t visited our site recently, check it out!

National Hog Farmer Blog

Meet the 2013 Masters of the Pork Industry and Prepare to be Inspired

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:07:00 +0000

The May issue of National Hog Farmer typically serves as a reflective look at the U.S. pork industry. We strive to approach stories from a “big picture” perspective. Since 2006, National Hog Farmer has profiled a hand-picked group of pork industry leaders. These Masters of the Pork Industry share their personal stories and philosophies, reflect on their careers and share their thoughts about the future of the pork industry.

National Hog Farmer Blog

Temple Grandin Guides Video Tour Behind “Glass Walls” of Pork Processing Plant

Fri, 10 May 2013 16:42:00 +0000

This week the American Meat Institute (AMI) released a video tour of a pork slaughter plant hosted by leading animal welfare expert Temple Grandin, professor of animal science at Colorado State University.

National Hog Farmer Blog

Do Producers Truly have Choices When it Comes to Animal Care?

Fri, 03 May 2013 21:08:00 +0000

This week the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) reported that many of the largest supermarket companies across the border have decided to stop procuring pork produced in systems that use gestation stalls. The new procurement specifications will be phased in over the next nine years by retailers including Costco Canada, Wal-Mart Canada, Loblaw, Metro, Sobeys, Co-op Atlantic and Federated Co-operatives. The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) responded by saying producers will continue to focus on their first priority, which is the welfare of their animals, while working on a new set of animal care standards.

National Hog Farmer Blog

Pondering the Pork Chop Identity Crisis

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 20:55:00 +0000

A pork chop by any other name tastes just as juicy and delicious--and now has a new identity in the meat case. In an effort to make both pork and beef more consumer-friendly, new names such as porterhouse pork chops will help retailers differentiate and merchandise pork cuts more effectively, according to the National Pork Board.

National Hog Farmer Blog

Ag Gag Laws Really Do Protect Animals, Producers

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:51:00 +0000

Organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Mercy for Animals say they have stopped attempting to take undercover videos on farms in states that have laws that make this practice illegal. These laws, referred to as “ag gag” laws, have already gone into effect in states such as Iowa and Utah. Several other states are in the process of working to enact similar legislation. Meanwhile, the topic of ag gag laws is getting a lot of media attention, and the opinions about the merits…or lack thereof…of preventing undercover videos from being taken on farms differ widely. As I’ve read blog posts finding fault with these laws coming from within the agricultural community, I keep coming back to what I heard and saw when I attended a Mercy for Animals (MFA) press conference last summer where an on-farm video was “revealed.”

National Hog Farmer Blog

EPA’s “Release-and-Retrieve” Approach to Producer Data Violates Trust

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:30:00 +0000

As the week draws to a close, more details are emerging about the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) release of personal data on thousands of farmers and ranchers. It has been a disturbing story all along, but this week’s admission that the personal information was indeed released to environmental activists and then, absurdly, that EPA has now asked activists to return the information they were given makes the entire tale even more unbelievable.

National Hog Farmer Blog

Healthy Dose of Fear Drives Consumer Views in Antibiotic Debate

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 00:29:00 +0000

This week I have been sicker than a dog with a strep infection and some type of bronchitis-type junk. I’m taking antibiotics. I’m drinking orange juice. Obviously, I’m thankful for the availability of antibiotics, and (in between coughing fits), I’m following the ongoing debate about antibiotic use in livestock production, which is a hot topic in the news yet again.

National Hog Farmer Blog

Hamming it Up for Easter!

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:56:00 +0000

We all know that there is a pork recipe for every season, but meals for Easter in particular should be made with ham! Recently Chef Michael Formichella, president and co-owner of Chella Foods, noted that the combination of versatility, variety and value have helped make pork the “it” protein. The vast array of tasty recipes available for all occasions complement the product pork producers proudly offer to their customers.

National Hog Farmer Blog

How Do You “Celebrate” Agriculture?

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:18:00 +0000

The week of March 17-23 has been declared National Agriculture Week. As part of the festivities, you may have celebrated National Agriculture Day on March 19. The events surrounding National Agriculture week are part of a nationwide effort focused on telling the true story about American agriculture, while reminding citizens that agriculture is important to everyone. One of our readers asked how we think that Ag Day and Ag Week should be celebrated. The first answer that comes to mind involves suggesting that everyone seek hearty helpings of bacon and a satisfying pork chop. However, taking things a bit further, we would also like to thank our pork producer readers for doing their part to produce a safe, affordable (and extremely tasty) product.