Latest News From Hogs - General

Six Questions One Industry Veterinarian Says She Is Asked Most Often About HPAI
Six Questions One Industry Veterinarian Says She Is Asked Most Often About HPAI

Kay Russo, DVM, Novonesis technical services manager for dairy and poultry, emphasized the situation is rapidly evolving and more clarity will come with time as researchers learn more.

Minnesota Goat Confirmed to Have Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Minnesota Goat Confirmed to Have Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

While HPAI has been detected in predatory mammals that prey on infected birds, this is the first identified case of HPAI in domestic livestock in the U.S.

USDA Issues Meat Labeling Final Rule
USDA Issues Meat Labeling Final Rule

Ag Secretary Vilsack hails voluntary “Product of U.S.A.” label as a vital step towards consumer protection and builds on efforts to bolster trust and fairness in the marketplace.

This 87-Year-Old's Powerful Business Sense Helped Create a Booming Meat Processing Business in Iowa
This 87-Year-Old's Powerful Business Sense Helped Create a Booming Meat Processing Business in Iowa

Edgewood Locker got its start in rural northeast Iowa in 1966. The business now spans over three generations, and it's largely thanks to Joan Kerns who helped start the family business that's now seen phenomenal growth.

NASDA Supports Access to Approved Vaccine Technologies
NASDA Supports Access to Approved Vaccine Technologies

NASDA supports farmers and ranchers’ ability to safeguard animal health through the responsible use of vaccines.

Climate and Tech Expected to Affect Ag Most This Year
Climate and Tech Expected to Affect Ag Most This Year

Steve Cubbage provides insights on the five areas expected to have the biggest impact on agriculture this year.

Encourage the Next Generation to Chase Big Dreams
Encourage the Next Generation to Chase Big Dreams

Methodical grind. There’s no question talent makes a difference, but what makes the biggest difference is commitment -- the daily decision to choose to work hard and show up. 

A Humble Leader: How Paul Sundberg Moved the Needle in Swine Health
A Humble Leader: How Paul Sundberg Moved the Needle in Swine Health

Former basketball coach John Wooden and swine health leader Paul Sundberg share at least one thing in common. They both define success by “never quite getting there.” Sundberg says trying to "get there" makes life fun.

USDA Issues Permit for Santa’s Reindeer to Enter the U.S.
USDA Issues Permit for Santa’s Reindeer to Enter the U.S.

USDA has granted Mr. Claus and his reindeer a special permit to enter the U.S., ensuring a seamless journey for the joy they bring each holiday season.

The Best Livestock-Themed Christmas Trees Full of Memories and Meaning
The Best Livestock-Themed Christmas Trees Full of Memories and Meaning

One of the things I love most about Christmas trees is the power they evoke to simply remember. Here are some special livestock-themed Christmas trees filled with memories to last a lifetime. 

Ten Holiday Gift Ideas for the Livestock Lover in Your Life
Ten Holiday Gift Ideas for the Livestock Lover in Your Life

If your Christmas shopping list contains people who work daily with animals, you’ll want to get them something meaningful that speaks to the things they enjoy, and might make their workday a little more pleasant, too.

Tufts University Makes Students' Cellular Ag Dreams Come True
Tufts University Makes Students' Cellular Ag Dreams Come True

In his Value Creation in Cell Ag class, Tufts senior Adham Ali was tasked to work with a group of peers to design a product using cellular agriculture (or cell ag for short) to make life easier for consumers.

Dairy Management Inc.'s Lisa McComb Appointed Chair-Elect of Animal Agriculture Alliance Board
Dairy Management Inc.'s Lisa McComb Appointed Chair-Elect of Animal Agriculture Alliance Board

The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced new upcoming board leadership, along with several board seats have renewed through 2026, following its fall board meeting, held Nov. 7 in Washington, D.C.

USMEF Strategic Planning Conference Wraps Up with New Leadership and Logistics Insight
USMEF Strategic Planning Conference Wraps Up with New Leadership and Logistics Insight

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) successfully concluded its Strategic Planning Conference with the election of a new dynamic officer team, including Randy Spronk, Steve Hanson, Jay Theiler and David Bruntz.

BT_Vaccination_Syringe_Needle
Where Do The Sharps Go?

Animals receive shots for various reasons throughout their life, just like people. Regardless of why the animal received a shot, it is important to dispose of the needle in a safe way.

Around the Ring: What’s the Best Piece of Advice You’ve Heard Lately? 
Around the Ring: What’s the Best Piece of Advice You’ve Heard Lately? 

One may argue teenagers have a lot of learning left to do, but I could argue they are wiser than they get credit for. After all, they are in a period of life where they hear a lot of advice from well-meaning people.

No, He’s Not a Buffalo: Why We Can’t Avoid Their Questions Anymore
No, He’s Not a Buffalo: Why We Can’t Avoid Their Questions Anymore

“Is this a buffalo?” asked a young 20-ish fairgoer as he stood before the Grand Champion Market Steer in the Hall of Champions at the Illinois State Fair. He looked at me – dead serious – awaiting my response.

9 Rules Parents Throw Out the Window During Fair Week
9 Rules Parents Throw Out the Window During Fair Week

We try to be good parents by setting boundaries for our kids. We want to raise decent humans who are kind, make good choices and respect others. But let’s be real. During fair week, that all goes out the window.

How to Handle and Dispose of Sharps and Unused Vaccine Products
How to Handle and Dispose of Sharps and Unused Vaccine Products

Kansas State University beef cattle veterinarians share tips on disposing products, needles and syringes that are a risk to humans.

livestock_trucks-trailer_(3)
Missouri Passes New Felony Law to Protect Livestock Transport

Animal activists look for ways to disrupt the livestock industry. However, in Missouri, interfering with the shipping of livestock is now considered a felony offense, with a fine up to $10,000 and prison time.

Understand Yourself Better and Be Better on the Job
Understand Yourself Better and Be Better on the Job

Are you interested in being more effective in business and personal interactions? Are you tired of butting heads with that annoying person on your team? JD Fiechtner, DVM, shares tips to “Be Better Than Before.”

Which Are The Best BBQ Cities in America?
Which Are The Best BBQ Cities in America?

Which cities have the best barbeque? The answer depends on who you ask, and two recent rankings provide different results.

What is Livestock Risk Protection (LRP)?
What is Livestock Risk Protection (LRP)?

While many tools for managing risk exist for livestock producers today, livestock risk protection (LRP) might be an option for producers to consider no matter how large or small the operation.

High Production Costs Could Weigh on the Ag Economy Through 2024, New Survey of Economists Finds
High Production Costs Could Weigh on the Ag Economy Through 2024, New Survey of Economists Finds

The Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor is a new survey of nearly 50 economists. Most ag economists agree the next 12 months could produce more financial pressure for agriculture, but their views vary depending on commodity.

Iowa State University Advances Veterinary Diagnostics with High-Volume Testing Innovation
Iowa State University Advances Veterinary Diagnostics with High-Volume Testing Innovation

Iowa State University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) is set to revolutionize molecular diagnostic testing with the introduction of a cutting-edge machine—the “SmartChip.”

Cell-Cultured Chicken Gains Final USDA Approval
Cell-Cultured Chicken Gains Final USDA Approval

Three California-based cultivated meat companies have received approval from USDA to begin producing and marketing lab-grown chicken.

Over-The-Counter Livestock Antibiotics Officially a Thing of the Past
Over-The-Counter Livestock Antibiotics Officially a Thing of the Past

Starting on June 11, over-the-counter livestock antibiotics will no longer be available through traditional retail channels.

The Forecast Looks Good for Grilling, And That's Great News for Meat Demand
The Forecast Looks Good for Grilling, And That's Great News for Meat Demand

Meat demand peaked last year, but economists say domestic demand is still stronger than pre-pandemic levels, and with more grilling this Memorial Day weekend, it could help boost domestic meat demand.

Meat Institute Launches Protein PACT Academic Advisory Council
Meat Institute Launches Protein PACT Academic Advisory Council

The Protein PACT Academic Advisory Council is formed to advise on research priorities and the latest evidence related to meat production and consumption.

Vaccines Using mRNA Can Protect Farm Animals Against Diseases Traditional Ones May Not
Vaccines Using mRNA Can Protect Farm Animals Against Diseases Traditional Ones May Not

According to Iowa State University's David Verhoeven, vaccines using mRNA technology have been shown to reduce disease on farms, and it’s all but impossible for them to end up in your food.

5 Ways to Work Through Difficult Times
5 Ways to Work Through Difficult Times

With the current economic situation, both in agriculture and even personally, it is easy to feel stress and overwhelmed. Here are some suggestions on how to manage stress and work through a difficult time.

Livestock and mRNA Vaccines: What You Need To Know
Livestock and mRNA Vaccines: What You Need To Know

As misinformation regarding the use of mRNA vaccines in livestock filter through social media, there are facts begging to be set straight.

Greg Henderson
A Girl, a Goat and the Law: The Shasta County, CA, Boondoggle

How fair officials and the local sheriff, both unencumbered by intelligence, tarnished your image as a livestock producer and created a public relations disaster.

Animal Activist and Former Baywatch Star Found Not Guilty in ‘Open Rescue’
Animal Activist and Former Baywatch Star Found Not Guilty in ‘Open Rescue’

Former “Baywatch” star Alexandra Paul and activist Alicia Santurio were found not guilty of misdemeanor theft after “rescuing” two chickens in 2021. Although they faced jail time, Paul says it was worth the risk.

OTC Livestock Antibiotics Will Require Prescription June 11
OTC Livestock Antibiotics Will Require Prescription June 11

Beginning June 11, 2023, over-the-counter livestock antibiotics will require a veterinary prescription. Producers are encouraged to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship now.

Set Micro Goals to Accomplish Big Dreams in 2023
Set Micro Goals to Accomplish Big Dreams in 2023

Instead of writing down these big audacious goals, Jon Acuff, an entrepreneur, speaker and best-selling author, has better advice: Set micro goals. 

Global Feed Production Estimates Released in 2023 Alltech Agri-Food Outlook
Global Feed Production Estimates Released in 2023 Alltech Agri-Food Outlook

Combining data from 142 countries and over 28,000 feed mills, Alltech recently shared its 2023 Alltech Agri-Food Outlook with global feed production survey data.

Best, Four-Legged Farm Hands Announced in Farm Bureau’s Farm Dog of the Year Contest
Best, Four-Legged Farm Hands Announced in Farm Bureau’s Farm Dog of the Year Contest

Providing purpose both on and off the farm, farm and ranch dogs earn top honors, selected from over 100 contestants across the nation, in the annual Farm Bureau contest.

DVM Named Undersecretary For Food Safety 
DVM Named Undersecretary For Food Safety 

The U.S. Senate confirmed Jose Emilio Esteban, a veterinarian, as undersecretary for food safety with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in December.

Nine Research Grants Focus on Improving Beef and Swine Antibiotic Use
Nine Research Grants Focus on Improving Beef and Swine Antibiotic Use

The International Consortium for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Agriculture (ICASA) has awarded nine grants to develop management strategies that improve judicious antibiotic use in beef cattle and swine.

A Magical Rural Minnesota Christmas Tree
A Magical Rural Minnesota Christmas Tree

In 2012, Jerry Lageson flipped the switch and transformed an oak tree into a landmark for thousands of passersby. South of Faribault, Minn., Lageson annually adorns this tree with 50,000 white lights.

Profit Tracker: Packers Can’t Stop The Bleeding
Profit Tracker: Packers Can’t Stop The Bleeding

Beef packers saw per head losses nearly double last week as wholesale beef prices tumbled $7 per cwt. lower. Pork processors are also found negative margins and producer margins remain short of breakeven.

Senators Propose Eliminating Tax Liability for IRA Assistance for Distressed Farmers
Senators Propose Eliminating Tax Liability for IRA Assistance for Distressed Farmers

The Family Farmer and Rancher Tax Fairness Act would remove the tax liability for distressed farmers for the assistance provided in Sections 22006 and 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Producers Beware: A Look Inside the Animal Activists' Playbook
Producers Beware: A Look Inside the Animal Activists' Playbook

Here’s three key claims and takeaways from this year’s animal rights extremist conferences and how they plan to turn consumers away from meat, poultry and dairy products.

Sen. Booker Proposes Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act
Sen. Booker Proposes Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act

New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker on Tuesday announced proposed legislation aimed at ending line-speed increases and “meatpacker self-inspection programs.”

Anti-Animal Ag Media Criticizes UC Davis Researchers, Dr. Mitloehner Tells All
Anti-Animal Ag Media Criticizes UC Davis Researchers, Dr. Mitloehner Tells All

After two recent articles from New York Times and Unearthed criticize Dr. Frank Mitloehner and his team at UC Davis, the "GHGGuru" joins Agritalk to share the facts and his perspective on the media's antics.

Profit Tracker: Cash Cattle Highest in Seven Years
Profit Tracker: Cash Cattle Highest in Seven Years

The pendulum continues to swing in cattlemen's favor as cash prices rally $3 per cwt. Pork producers see improved profit margins with a $7 per cwt. rally.

Join the Animal Agriculture Alliance as “Partners in Progress” at 2023 Stakeholders Summit
Join the Animal Agriculture Alliance as “Partners in Progress” at 2023 Stakeholders Summit

How can we create a sustainable future for animal agriculture? By building it together, says AAA. The 2023 Stakeholders Summit theme has been set, and speaker proposals and applications are open.

Land O’Lakes CEO Praises U.S. Farmers for Their Role in Food Security
Land O’Lakes CEO Praises U.S. Farmers for Their Role in Food Security

The leader of one of America’s largest food and agriculture companies said the country’s farmers should be celebrated for their crucial role in providing food security, even if their work is sometimes overlooked.

Want To End Hunger? Animal Protein May Be the Answer
Want To End Hunger? Animal Protein May Be the Answer

The White House announced several steps to increase access of fruits and vegetables as a food source, but some say animal protein is also an answer to the need for healthy and nutritious food for all Americans.