National Hog Farmer

USDA Promotes “Grill it Safe” Program

Fri, 25 May 2012 15:26:00 +0000

Source: USDA

As you welcome summer at your Memorial Day weekend barbecue this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) reminds you that no recipe, whether it is meant for the kitchen or the grill, can be a success without including food safety steps.

USDA Announces Conservation Reserve Program Sign-Ups

Fri, 25 May 2012 15:14:00 +0000

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will accept 3.9 million acres offered under the 43rd Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up. During the extended five-week signup, the Department received nearly 48,000 offers on more than 4.5 million acres of land, demonstrating the CRP’s continuing leadership as one of our nation’s most successful voluntary efforts to conserve land and improve our soil, water, air and wildlife habitat resources.

Squealers Barbecue Tours The Midwest This Summer

Fri, 25 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Indiana Pork is partnering with Squealers Award Winning Barbeque for this summer's Barbeque Competition Tour. The 12 weekend tour spans the Midwest and features some of the finest barbecue chefs in the nation.

NPPC Bristles at Egg Legislation

Fri, 25 May 2012 14:49:00 +0000

Joe Vansickle Senior Editor

The Humane Society of the United States and the United Egg Producers jointly announced on Thursday the introduction of S.3239, the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012, sponsored by a group of senators led by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). In short, the legislation will require egg producers to essentially double the space allotted per hen and make other housing changes in a tiered-in process over the next 15 to 18 years.

APHIS Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:56:00 +0000

On May 16, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) celebrated its 40th anniversary. The program activities and responsibilities of APHIS have grown and evolved since the agency’s birth in 1972. But the mission remains the same: serving the public by protecting the health and value of American agriculture and natural resources, according to Gregory Parham, DVM, APHIS administrator. In his blog he writes:

Swine Veterinarians Ask for More Active Role

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:29:00 +0000

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) officers and staff met recently at the AASV office in Perry, IA, in an effort to improve communication and understanding between the two organizations. The meeting was prompted by a request from AVMA President René Carlson, DVM, in response to AASV concerns about AVMA actions and statements on swine and other production-animal issues.

Pork Inventory Reaches Second-Largest on Record

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:30:00 +0000

USDA’s monthly Cold Storage report released today shows a mountain of meat and poultry piling up in storage, and pork near the top of the list, according to the Daily Livestock Report (DLR) by Steve Meyer and Len Steiner.

Total frozen meat and poultry inventories stacked up at 2.249 million pounds on April 30 – 5.9% larger than last year and 7.5% larger than on March 31.

Pork Checkoff Presents PORK Academy at World Pork Expo

Tue, 22 May 2012 21:37:00 +0000

On June 6 and 7, the Pork Checkoff is sponsoring Producers Opportunity for Revenue and Knowledge (PORK) Academy at World Pork Expo at the Iowa State Fairground in Des Moines, IA. Expo continues through noon June 9.

PORK Academy is a series of seminars designed to provide information for pork producers about current industry challenges in a way that can be applied to their own operations. The seminars will cover a variety of topics such as herd health, pork exports, transport bedding, economic outlooks and the We Care initiative.

Swine Reproduction Seminars Set for June in Nebraska, Iowa

Tue, 22 May 2012 16:23:00 +0000

An Advanced Swine Reproduction Seminar is being offered at two locations to help pork producers perform at a higher level of management for preparing the sow and farrowing space, knowing when/how to assist farrowing sows, managing sows to maximize feed intake and more.

The seminars will be held June 12 at the Lifelong Learning Center in Norfolk, NE, and June 13 at the Extension Office in LeMars, IA. Sponsors are the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, the Iowa Pork Industry Center, Iowa State University Extension and the Iowa Pork Producers Association.

Registration starts at 9:15 a.m. and the program concludes by 3:30 p.m.

At the morning session, pork producers should come prepared to share their farrowing tips, says Duane Reese, University of Nebraska Extension swine specialist.

“We hope newer employees can gain a lot of information from more experienced farrowing managers sharing their insights,” he says. The morning session will be led by Reese; Tim Safranski, swine specialist, University of Missouri; and Dave Stender, Iowa State University swine field specialist.

In the afternoon, Safranski will lead a session on consistent and reliable management practices that lead to superior reproductive performance. He will also discuss industry trends.

Stender will offer updates on current welfare issues for crate-to-pen transition and on managing gilt development programs.

Reese will close the seminar with updates on swine nutrition.

Registration is $30 per person and includes a pork loin lunch. To register or for more information, call Stender at (712) 225-6196 or e-mail dstender@iastate.edu.

Location

June 12-Lifelong Learning Center in Norfolk, NE; June 13-Extension Office in Lemars, IA Norfolk/Lemars, IA

United States

See map: Google Maps

Swine Reproduction Seminars Set for June in Iowa, Nebraska

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:16:00 +0000

Corn Crop Planting Nears Completion

Tue, 22 May 2012 14:22:00 +0000

USDA’s Crop Progress report released Monday indicates that corn planting is virtually complete with 96% of intended acres finished as of Sunday. That compares to 79% as of this date last year and a five-year average of 81%, says Steve Meyer and Len Steiner of CME Group’s Daily Livestock Report (DLR).

That completion date ties the record for this date set in 2000 and exceeds the 93% level of 2010.

Collegiate FFA Seeks Ambassadors for Agriculture

Tue, 22 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS – Collegiate FFA, a program of the National FFA Organization, is now accepting applications for its National Collegiate Agricultural Ambassador program. Twenty selected students will serve during the 2012-2013 school year.

American Association of Swine Veterinarians Annual Meeting

Mon, 21 May 2012 21:45:00 +0000

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians Annual Meeting will be held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, CA March 2-5, 2013. For more information call 515-465-5255, fax 515-465-3832, or email aasv@aasv.org.

Location

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, CA

United States

32° 42' 55.1844" N, 117° 9' 26.118" W

See map: Google Maps

2012 Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open

Mon, 21 May 2012 21:39:00 +0000

Sponsorships and golf registrations are now being accepted for the 2012 Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open. The annual event, set for Tuesday, July 24 at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames, benefits the Lauren L. Christian Endowment which provides financial support for students and continued swine and pork educational opportunities through Iowa State University (ISU).

Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC) director John Mabry said hole sponsorship and golf registration prices are the same as the past several years, and that’s drawing a lot of attention.

“Already we have close to a half dozen teams registered and we encourage people to register soon because there’s a limit of 32 teams for the tournament,” he said. “Cost is $85 per person which includes golf, refreshments, noon lunch, and post-tournament reception and meal.”

Hole sponsorships also are in demand at $250, with other sponsorship options available. Those who want to attend only the post-tournament activities may register for $25 per person.

The event brochure includes sponsor information and registration forms and is available on the IPIC Web site. Golf registration deadline is July 10 or when the field of 32 teams is reached.

The 18-hole best ball tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. Following the tournament, players and others are invited to attend a reception, meal and awards program. Winners of the 2012 Lauren Christian undergraduate and graduate scholarships also will be honored during the program.

According to John Mabry, IPIC director and former student of Christian, this event is a way to bring together those who knew and admired Christian.

"Lauren was a great teacher and mentor, and the Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open provides a social occasion for people to remember him and help increase the Lauren Christian endowment fund at ISU," Mabry said.

Location

Veenker memorial Golf Course Ames, IA

United States

42° 1' 24.06" N, 93° 37' 32.2392" W

See map: Google Maps

Ontario Pork Congress

Mon, 21 May 2012 21:26:00 +0000

All pork producers are encouraged to attend the 39th Annual Pork Congress on Tuesday, June 19 and Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at the Stratford Rotary Complex. The Ontario Pork Congress recognizes the contribution of the pork industry to the agricultural community.

Other events during the week include the following:

*       Tradeshow: June 19 and 20: Stratford Rotary Complex
*       Pig Art: June 19 and 20, Stratford Rotary Complex
*       The Gold Event: June 19 and 20, Stratford Rotary Complex
*       The Hog Jog: June 19, Stratford Rotary Complex



For more information: www.porkcongress.on.ca<http://www.porkcongress.on.ca>

All pork producers are encouraged to attend the 39th Annual Pork Congress on Tuesday, June 19 and Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at the Stratford Rotary Complex.

Location

Stratford Rotary Complex Stratford

Canada

See map: Google Maps

International PRRS Symposium

Mon, 21 May 2012 21:02:00 +0000

Nov. 29-30, 2012:International PRRS Symposium, held in conjunction with the National Swine Improvement Federation Annual Meeting, Marriott Hotel Kansas City Downtown, Kansas City, MO; contact: http://www.prrssymposium.org.

The joint meeting looks at pig genetics and breeding; porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome vaccines of the past, present and future; and the host response to PRRS virus infection. There is also a meeting of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians PRRS Task Force and a general session addressing PRRS virus genetics, immunology, diagnostics and epidemiology.

The international PRRS Symposium will be held in conjunction with the National Swine Improvement Federation Annual Meeting, Marriott Hotel Kansas City Downtown, Kansas City, MO.

Location

Marriott Hotel Kansas City Downtown Kansas City, MO

United States

39° 5' 59.0172" N, 94° 34' 42.8412" W

See map: Google Maps

World Pork Expo Seminars Focus on Business Management

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:51:00 +0000

Eight business seminars will feature the latest in nutrition, herd health, manure management and price risk at World Pork Expo on Wednesday, June 6, and Thursday, June 7. A highlight of the free business-seminar luncheon at noon on both days will be speakers discussing weather and economic outlooks. Expo-goers will find these business seminars and luncheons in the Varied Industries Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

Hog Market Feeling Supply Pressure

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:30:00 +0000

There have been times this spring, especially during the lean finely textured beef/beef trimmings debacle, when pork and hog demand have seemed less than stellar. But the past few weeks’ data suggest that ample pork supplies are keeping markets under plenty of pressure.

U.S. Pork Exports to Mexico Remain Rosy

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:28:00 +0000

By Jim Herlihy, U.S. Meat Export Federation, Denver, CO

With the first quarter’s results in, the No. 1 volume market for U.S. pork exports – Mexico – remains on track to set new records in 2012, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

New Pork Board Members Announced

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:12:00 +0000

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the appointment of five members to the 15-member National Pork Board. New members of the board are Craig Mensink, Preston, MN and Carl Link, Fort Recovery, OH.

Call for More Oversight of Antibiotics and DDGS

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:08:00 +0000

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA) are asking the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to clarify its authority over and surveillance of antibiotic use in distiller’s dried grains with soluble (DDGS).

Colombia Trade Agreement Goes into Effect

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:08:00 +0000

The U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement went into effect on May 15. In 2011, the United States exported $1.1 billion of agricultural products to Colombia

House Agriculture Completes Farm Bill Hearings

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:08:00 +0000

The House Agriculture Committee wrapped up its last farm bill hearings on May 18

Senators Request Farm Bill Debate

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:08:00 +0000

Forty-four senators have written the senate leadership calling for a timely and open debate of the farm bill. The bipartisan letter was organized by Senators Mike Johanns (R-NE), Max Baucus (D-MT), Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

NPPC Corrects Antibiotic Misinformation

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:30:00 +0000

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) fired back last week at a media event sponsored by the PEW Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming in Washington, DC.

The event attempted to show that there is abuse of antibiotics in livestock and it is causing more antibiotic resistance.

Elanco President: Food Productivity Falling Behind Population Growth

Mon, 21 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

WASHINGTON, DC [May 18,2012] In advance of the G8 summit, Elanco president Jeff Simmons today warns global leaders that food productivity is not keeping pace with food demand now and in the immediate future. Food inflation combined with inadequate gains in productivity are clear indicators that our ability to feed a rapidly growing population is at serious risk without swift action.

USFRA and Ketchum Receive National SABRE Recognition

Mon, 21 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Agriculture Is Supporting Domino's This Weekend

Sat, 19 May 2012 04:46:00 +0000

All those involved in agriculture are being asked to support Domino's this weekend for following sound science when it comes to animal care decisions.

African Swine Fever Represents Growing Global Threat

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:50:00 +0000

Scientists from around the world came to Kansas State University’s Biosecurity Research Institute (BRI) May 15-17 to take a global look at the highly contagious viral disease, African swine fever (ASF). The researchers assembled to give updates on research and in some cases, the status of ASF in their countries.

Tyson’s Strikes Back At HSUS for Welfare Attacks

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:02:00 +0000

Tyson Foods has responded to Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) claims, reportedly filed in a complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), suggesting that the Springdale, AR-based company made deceptive animal welfare statements following the release of an undercover video taken at a Wyoming pig farm.