More in Animal Welfare

Pork production facilities built and operated in the 21st century need to provide optimum environmental conditions to maximize production efficiency and provide a safe and healthy environment for pigs and workers while conserving energy. To accomplish these goals requires a fully integrated ventilation system that is specifically designed and installed for the specific barn and animals housed....More

The food industry responds to the Tyson FarmCheck animal welfare program announcement....More

Students and alumni of California State University at Chico, which has a significant agriculture program, quickly revolted last week at a news release put out by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) that proclaimed the school had signed onto the Meatless Monday scam perpetuated by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) propaganda....More

Iowa pork producers know that consumers rely on them to provide a safe and nutritious product that was raised in the best way possible, both for the animal and the farmer, according to the Iowa Pork Producers Association. One way producers show their commitment to these ideals is by becoming Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA Plus)-certified and by achieving PQA Plus site status....More

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) announced Monday that it had joined an independent hog farmer in filing a lawsuit in federal district court, charging that the National Pork Board struck an unlawful backroom deal with a Washington, D.C. lobbying organization for the purchase of the “Pork. The Other White Meat” slogan....More

Veterinary researchers at Iowa State University (ISU) are developing improved methods to diagnose a reemerging swine disease that was essentially a non-issue five years ago but has become increasingly more common since then. Swine dysentery, also known as bloody scours, is a disease in pigs that causes diarrhea containing mucus and blood and eventually leads to uneven growth and increased mortality among infected herds....More

The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) addresses concerns about how changes in livestock production practices can ultimately impact consumers in a new, eight-minute video. The video is narrated by Scott Hurd, DVM, Iowa State University. “Animal health is closely linked to public health,” Hurd says. He urges policy makers and consumers to carefully consider the implications that animal housing and animal care decisions can have both on the health of the animal, and, ultimately, on public health as well....More

The theme of this year’s Workforce Development Seminar is “Animal Care is Our Priority.” The conference runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 18 at the Country Inn and Suites, Mankato, MN. This annual event covers current issues and provides new information for those who raise and care for hogs. The seminar is sponsored by the Minnesota Pork Board and Pork Checkoff. This year’s seminar topics include the following:...More

Tyson Foods, Inc. has issued this response to the citizen’s petition sent by consumer watchdog group SumOfUs.org and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) demanding the company develop plans to stop pork suppliers from using gestation crates.   “We recognize our responsibility to motivate continuous improvements throughout the food chain. We’re committed to humane animal treatment at all stages of food production and we expect the same from farms that supply us with livestock....More

Nearly a quarter million people have signed a petition to Tyson Foods, the world’s second-largest meat processor and major U.S. pork supplier based in Springdale, AR, from consumer watchdog group SumOfUs.org and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) demanding the company develop plans to stop suppliers from using gestation crates....More

The damn-the-data attitude of anti-meat groups has permeated the attitudes of the general public and too many members of Congress. The lackadaisical attitude about the science of food production is setting dangerous precedents that will haunt livestock producers for generations to come....More