The 55th annual National Barrow Show (NBS), set for Sept. 10-12 in Austin, MN, has been cancelled, another casualty of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) scare.
The "World Series of Swine Shows" showcases eight major hog breeds.
The NBS began in 1927. No show was held in 1940 or during World War II in 1942-45. It resumed in 1946.
The show was cancelled in 1952 due to swine vesicular exanthema, a viral disease similar in appearance to FMD, which was last seen in the U.S. in 1956.
Friday's USDA/Department of Justice "Competition in Agriculture Workshop," held in Ankeny, IA, was long on rhetoric, but surprisingly balanced regarding substantive issues. A wide range of opinions were expressed and the proceedings were far more orderly than most expected.
In addition to the number of recorded heat cycles before breeding and the gilt’s exposure to gestation stalls before breeding, there are additional management factors that affect gilt performance. Following are a few additional considerations:
