More in Resources

Jan. 25, 2013

News

Two Pork Producers Named as Ag Spokespeople

Two pork producers were among the four winners announced this week by the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) for its Faces of Farming & Ranching program, a nationwide search launched in summer 2012 to help put real faces on American agriculture. More than 100 applications were submitted from passionate, dedicated farmers and ranchers across the country....More
Jan. 21, 2013

News

Strengthening the Connection Between Producers and Consumers

What started as a promising idea more than eight years ago has flourished as the Pork Checkoff’s Operation Main Street (OMS) strengthens the farm-to-fork connect between producers and consumers....More
Jan. 15, 2013

Article

Estimating the Cost of Mortality Management

The practice of composting to manage on-farm swine mortalities has increased from 10.5% in 1994 to nearly 36% in 2006, according to data supplied by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Traditionally, the most popular method of composting has been the open static pile (OSP) in bins, piles or windrows, managed by primary, secondary and curing stages. More recently, in-vessel (IV) systems have become increasingly used. The most popular system is rotating drums....More
Jan. 15, 2013

Article

Managing Forward Profitability

Hog producers face another challenging landscape in 2013, with costs projected to remain high through the balance of the current crop year. As most producers are well aware, feed expenses have been the principal driver behind soaring production costs over the past few years....More
Jan. 11, 2013

News

Corn, Bean Production Dip Due to Drought

Despite getting off to a very favorable start, U.S. growers spent the summer of 2012 battling historic drought conditions in much of the Midwest. As a result, corn and soybean production, both key U.S. crops, is significantly down in 2012, according to the Crop Production 2012 Annual Summary released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)....More
Jan. 10, 2013

News

Conference Helps Producers Manage Stress

Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) are teaming up to deliver current market and management information to Iowa livestock farmers in these challenging times. The “Managing Through Stress: A Livestock Information Event” will be held Feb. 4....More
Jan. 9, 2013

News

Two Tools Introduced to Help Producers in a Crisis

Two new tools the Pork Checkoff recently introduced can help pork producers in the event of a crisis or emergency on their farm. The Farm-Level Crisis Response Plan template and Emergency Action Plan provide customizable, step-by-step guides to help producers be prepared and stay on track in their commitment to providing a safe, quality product....More
Jan. 4, 2013

News

Iowa Select Farms Donates More Pork

Iowa Select Farms donated approximately 3,300 fresh, boneless roasts were distributed during a holiday giveaway to needy families at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. owa Select Farms staff members wearing festive Santa hats handed out the roasts, which are approximately 4.5 lb. and each can feed 24 people a 3-oz. serving of high-quality, wholesome pork....More
Dec. 26, 2012

News

Nebraska Launches Drought Web Site

Droughtresources.unl.eduis a one-stop Web site from the University of Nebraska (UNL) designed to provide timely, unbiased information to help manage the drought conditions experienced this year. The site features practical advice to help citizens deal with the drought....More
Dec. 19, 2012

News

2012 Census of Agriculture Sent to Farmers Across America

It's not every day that a walk to your mailbox leads to an opportunity to help shape farm programs, boost rural services and grow your farm future. But for producers across the country, that opportunity will soon become a reality. The 2012 Census of Agriculture, the only source of consistent and comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the nation, is currently being mailed to millions of farmers and ranchers across the United States....More
Dec. 14, 2012

News

Fifty-Million Acres Enrolled in USDA Conservation Program

The land enrolled in USDA's Conservation Stewardship Program totals more than 78,000 square miles, an area larger than Pennsylvania and South Carolina combined....More
Dec. 11, 2012

News

Feeding the Families of Fallen Military Heroes

Pork producers from across the country served hundreds of U.S. military families by distributing pork meals on Dec. 2 during the 2012 Snowball Express, a charity for the children of America's fallen military heroes....More
Dec. 11, 2012

News

Ag Scholarships Are Available to Students

The CME Group and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) are jointly sponsoring the 2013 Lois Britt Memorial Pork Industry Scholarship Program. The program was launched in 1990 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Live Hog Futures. It recognizes outstanding youth in the pork industry by awarding four, $2,500 scholarships to students who intend to pursue a career in the pork industry. Eligibility requirements include enrollment in a two-year swine program or a four-year college of agriculture. Other requirements include:...More
Dec. 10, 2012

News

Presidential Council Calls for Expanded Ag Research

The “Report to the President on Agricultural Preparedness and Agriculture Research Enterprise," a new report from the Presidential Council on Science and Technology (PCAST), concluded that the United States is the undisputed world leader in agricultural production today, but must invest in more technology to maintain this position....More
Dec. 5, 2012

News

Resource Helps Farmers Reduce Energy Use

The Farm Energy Working Group (FEWG), facilitated by the Center for Energy & Environmental Education (CEEE) at the University of Northern Iowa and supported by a grant from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, has introduced a new web site that provides a wealth of energy saving information....More
Nov. 29, 2012

News

Is Bacon-Scented Shaving Cream on Your Christmas List?

The pork enthusiast who has everything might be interested in adding bacon-scented shaving cream to the Christmas list....More
Nov. 23, 2012

blog

PETA Speaks Out Against Presidential Turkey Pardon (And Ham was on the President’s Thanksgiving Menu)

It seems even President Barack Obama is finding himself squarely in the crosshairs of the animal rights movement these days. According to The Hill’s blog briefing room this week, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sent a letter to the White House on Tuesday, demanding that the president skip the tradition of pardoning a Thanksgiving turkey. According to The Hill, PETA said the president is in partnership with the “turkey-killing industry,” and stated that turkeys should not need to be pardoned because they are not guilty of anything “other than being born into a world of prejudice.” PETA urged the president to eat a tofu-based Tofurkey roast for the White House Thanksgiving dinner. Seriously? Must they mess with everyone’s meal?...More
Nov. 21, 2012

News

Iowa Select Farms Feeds the Needy This Holiday Season

The Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation/Iowa Select Farms is donating approximately 29,700 pounds of fresh, boneless pork loin roasts to help feed Iowa families in need during the holiday season. The nutritious meat, valued at $55,000, is being delivered this week to local community organizations, food shelves, pantries and food banks across Iowa....More
Nov. 15, 2012

Article

November 2012 National Hog Farmer New Products

This month's products include: Aurora Pharmaceutical CLARITY Ultrasound Gel; ECO Animal Health, Ltd. Aivlosin Water Soluble Granules Ileitis Water Medication; Harrisvaccines Swine Flu Vaccine; Dosatron International, Inc. 40 GPM-D8RE2 Chemical Injector....More
Nov. 14, 2012

News

USDA Launches First-Ever Round of Farm to School Grants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today the recipients of the first-ever round of Farm to School Grants. The awards span 68 projects in 37 states and the District of Columbia and total $4.5 million in funding....More
Nov. 13, 2012

News

Penton Media Buys Farm Progress From Fairfax Media

Penton Media today acquired Farm Progress from Fairfax Media Limited of Sydney, Australia, significantly expanding its agriculture sector footprint to become the largest and most diversified agriculture information business in North America, offering live events, digital products, data, marketing services and publications....More
Nov. 12, 2012

News

Baker Named to Lead Iowa Pork Center

Rodney “Butch” Baker, DVM, has been appointed interim director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC) at Iowa State University. He replaces John Mabry, who served as the center’s director since 2000. Baker’s two-year appointment will end June 30, 2014....More
Nov. 12, 2012

News

Pork Producers Feed Hurricane Victims

Pork producer volunteers are grilling pork in the Pork Checkoff event trailer and are feeding Superstorm Sandy victims in New Jersey. Currently, seven states have donated assistance through monetary support. These states include Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Utah. Six states have provided support by sending volunteers, including Iowa, Indiana, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and South Dakota. The National Pork Board is still looking for volunteers.Those who would like to offer assistance should contact Bill Winkelman at (515) 223-2603....More
Nov. 8, 2012

News

Highlighting Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Throughout history, pork producers have worked steadily to improve the industry. From the way they treat their animals to the products they provide for consumers, pork producers are doing the right thing....More
Nov. 7, 2012

News

Christensen Farms Announces Personnel Changes

The board of directors of Christensen Farms & Feedlots, Inc. has announced several board and management changes in the wake of the tragic death of CEO Bob Christensen over the weekend, according to spokesman Brian Foster....More