Kansas State University researchers are jumping full force into studies of the deadly Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus(PEDv), which is said to have a 100 percent mortality rate in piglets less than 7 days old, and is estimated to have killed 8 million pigs in 2014. While European farmers have been dealing with PEDv since the 1970s, the disease first exploded … Read More
Science Doesn't Support IARC Opinion on Meat & Cancer
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) was assigned to review all of the available evidence on red meat and cancer risk, yet were divided on their opinion whether to label red meat a “probable” cause of cancer, according to the Beef Checkoff nutrition scientist and registered dietitian who observed the controversial process. After seven days of deliberation in … Read More
Apply for Pork Checkoff Board of Directors
The Pork Checkoff’s Board of Directors is now accepting nominations to fill five three-year terms. State pork producer associations, farm organizations or anyone who pays into the Pork Checkoff, which includes pig farmers and pork importers, may submit nominees. Pork Act Delegates must rank a minimum of eight candidates before being sent to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for … Read More
1st America’s Pig Farmer of the Year Named
The National Pork Board has named Keith Schoettmer recipient of its first-ever America’s Pig Farmer of the Year. The pig farmer from Tipton, Indiana, was recognized for his excellence in raising pigs using the We Care ethical principles and connecting with today’s consumers about how pork is produced. “We are pleased to have Keith represent America’s pig farmers, and we … Read More
Hogs and Pigs Inventory Increases
The number of hogs and pigs in the United States is up. As of September 1, there were 68.4 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, an increase of four percent from a year ago, and two percent more than June of this year, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Market … Read More
Serve on Pork Checkoff Program Advisory Committee
The National Pork Board is currently accepting applications to fill positions on nine Pork Checkoff program advisory committees. The committee system provides in-depth analysis and oversight of specialized projects and programs, including the planning, budgeting, goal-setting and evaluation of Pork Checkoff programs. “Serving on Pork Checkoff advisory committees is a great opportunity for producers to show their support of the … Read More
America's Pig Farmer Finalist Announced
The National Pork Board has announced the four finalists of their new America’s Pig Farmer of the Year award program. The program was begun to bring public attention to farmers who are doing a great job raising pigs using the We Care ethical principles. “The four finalists represent the diverse pork industry in the United States,” said National Pork Board … Read More
Preparing for Foreign Animal Diseases
Pork industry preparedness for FAD was the first topic on the schedule at the Boehringer Ingelheim North Carolina swine seminar this year – and no, FAD does not mean the latest social trend. “FADs are foreign animal diseases,” said Dr. Lisa Becton with the National Pork Board. “Those are diseases that currently don’t exist in the United States and diseases … Read More
Judges Selected for National Pork Board Award
To show it’s commitment to consumer trust, the National Pork Board has announced an expert judging panel to select the first-ever America’s Pig Farmer of the Year. Members of the five-member panel include Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane Association; Carlos Saviani, vice president of the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) U.S. food team; Mitzi Dulan, a registered … Read More
District Court Reverses Case Against Pork Checkoff
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia is reversing a previously dismissed lawsuit which alleges pork checkoff funds improperly benefit the lobbying efforts of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). The lawsuit was filed in 2012 by an Iowa pork producer, the Humane Society of the United States, and the Iowa Citizen for Community Improvement. The reversal … Read More