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USDA Conducts First Study Of Small-Enterprise Operations
Aug 31, 2007 12:02 PM
This summer, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) randomly surveyed small-enterprise hog operations (less than 100 pigs) in 31 states to learn more about health and management practices.
The study covered states considered at risk for exposure to feral swine and transmission of classical swine fever (CSF or hog cholera) and pseudorabies.
“Although the United States was declared free of CSF in 1978, the disease remains a threat to the U.S. pork industry, and is currently present in neighboring countries such as Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Mexico,” the NAHMS report states.
The information gathered will provide a more complete understanding of small hog operations and the risk of introduction of these diseases. It will also help further clarify the risks and hazards presented by feral pigs, the role they play in disease transmission and how to minimize the threat they pose to domestic swine.
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 $30/head. I also realize that positive news at this point could be as dangerous as it is welcome. But facts are facts, and we must recognize them.
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As I begin this week's column, I"m reminded of two different "flip side" statements that may help characterize the topic at hand. The first is the old Archie Campbell schtick - "That's good - no that’s bad," which I have used before. The second reflects President Truman's frustration with economists' incessant use of the qualifier - "on the other hand" - to introduce the contrary opinion on a given topic. President Truman once demanded in his usual colorful language: "Will someone please find me a *!&%$*?>
