Kansas State University and Iowa State University have joined forces to put on the International Conference on Feed Efficiency in Swine in Omaha, Nebraska, Oct. 21-22, 2015. “We’re excited to bring together swine producers – owners and managers – with scientists, from geneticists to nutritionists and extension specialists, to discuss a wide range of topics related to feed efficiency, including making … 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
Hogs and Pigs Outlook
Dr. Ron Plain has been a trusted voice for livestock industry economics at the University of Missouri since 1981, but he is heading into at least semi-retirement. “I’m retiring on September 1,” said Plain, who spoke at the Boehringer Ingeheim (BIVI) swine seminar in North Carolina last Friday. “So this is one of my last opportunities as a professor to … 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
Pork: Fastest-Growing Protein in Foodservice
Pork continues to be the fastest-growing protein in foodservice since 2011. According to Technomic, Inc.’s 2015 Volumetric Assessment of Pork in Foodservice, pork’s popularity in the food industry continues to grow. The National Pork Board shared the following information about porks growing popularity. The study showed that total pork sold through foodservice outlets reached a record 9.8 billion pounds, reflecting … Read More
NPPC Says Withdraw Trade Benefits for South Africa
The National Pork Producers Council submitted comments asking the Obama administration to withdraw or limit preferential trade benefits for South Africa because of that country’s reluctance to provide market access to U.S. pork. “South Africa has shown that it is pleased to take advantage of U.S. preferential trade programs but is unwilling to extend even customary equitable treatment to imports … Read More
NPPC CEO Recognized For Animal Research Support
Neil Dierks, CEO of the National Pork Producers Council, was given the Distinguished Support of Animal Science Award from the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) at its joint annual meeting with the American Dairy Science Association. Dierks received the honor for his strong support for increasing agricultural research and education. Among other efforts, ASAS cited Dierks’s involvement in planning, … Read More
Purina, Everest Climber Team to Summit of Pig Production
Purina sees some of managing a swine operation similar to climbing the summit of Mount Everest. That’s why the company partnered with Everest climber Lance Fox as part of an interactive discussion at last month’s World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa. The session also included Steve Stitzlein, production supervisor of Heimerl Farms and Purina Animal Nutrition swine specialists Becky … Read More
Swine Health Info Center Will Soon Tackle Disease Risks
A new center will soon give pork producers good information about disease risks. The new Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) is set to open in Iowa and will be run by Dr. Paul Sundberg, a former practicing veterinarian and the former senior vice president for science and technology at the National Pork Board. The center will be located in Perry, … Read More