The 14th annual Swine Disease Conference for Swine Practitioners is scheduled for Nov. 9-10 at the Scheman Building on the Iowa State University campus in Ames, IA.
Among this year's program highlights are sessions on porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, sow longevity, breeding herd lameness and structural soundness, swine influenza virus and porcine circovirus-associated disease.
There was a lot to be positive about in the pork industry the last week of October. I realize it is difficult to be optimistic when you are still losing $25 to $30/head. I also realize that positive news at this point could be as dangerous as it is welcome. But facts are facts, and we must recognize them.
...
As I begin this week's column, I"m reminded of two different "flip side" statements that may help characterize the topic at hand. The first is the old Archie Campbell schtick - "That's good - no that’s bad," which I have used before. The second reflects President Truman's frustration with economists' incessant use of the qualifier - "on the other hand" - to introduce the contrary opinion on a given topic. President Truman once demanded in his usual colorful language: "Will someone please find me a *!&%$*?>
