Latest News From HOGS

Wild Pigs Kill More People Than Sharks, Shocking New Research Reveals
Wild Pigs Kill More People Than Sharks, Shocking New Research Reveals

It’s not sharks, wolves, or bears that kill the most people—it’s wild pigs, and the numbers are trending up.

South Dakota Confirms First Case of HPAI in a Dairy Herd
South Dakota Confirms First Case of HPAI in a Dairy Herd

South Dakota Dairy Producers encourages all dairy producers to closely monitor their herd and contact their herd veterinarian immediately if cattle appear symptomatic.

North Carolina Reports First Case of HPAI in Dairy Herd
North Carolina Reports First Case of HPAI in Dairy Herd

Steve Troxle, state commissioner of agriculture, said he is waiting for more diagnostic information from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory and will work collaboratively with North Carolina dairy farmers.

AABP Decides to Reference Cattle Disease as Bovine Influenza A Virus (BIAV)
AABP Decides to Reference Cattle Disease as Bovine Influenza A Virus (BIAV)

The American Association of Bovine Practitioners is making the name change, as it more accurately reflects the issue.

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.

Texas-Sized Problems Hit the Lone Star State, but Ag Commissioner says ‘Things are Getting Better’ 
Texas-Sized Problems Hit the Lone Star State, but Ag Commissioner says ‘Things are Getting Better’ 

Sid Miller, commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture, says the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza impacting beef cattle in the state's panhandle – where dairy cows have been infected – is minimal.

U.S. Researchers Develop New Japanese Encephalitis Virus Diagnostic Test for Swine
U.S. Researchers Develop New Japanese Encephalitis Virus Diagnostic Test for Swine

Is the U.S. pork industry prepared for a Japanese encephalitis virus outbreak? Here's how a newly developed diagnostic test could help.

HPAI Now Detected on Ohio Dairy: Strange Bird Flu Concerns See Growth
HPAI Now Detected on Ohio Dairy: Strange Bird Flu Concerns See Growth

Ohio has become the sixth state where dairy cattle have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu.

Rare Human Case of Bird Flu Confirmed. Officials Believe it Began on Texas Dairy
Rare Human Case of Bird Flu Confirmed. Officials Believe it Began on Texas Dairy

The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that a human case of bird flu has been confirmed in Texas and identified in a person who had direct exposure to dairy cattle presumed to be infected with the disease.

Get the Facts Straight on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Get the Facts Straight on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Now that the mystery illness impacting some dairy herds has been revealed as the same strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza that has been impacting the U.S. poultry flock, pork producers are asking questions.

BREAKING: Mystery Illness Impacting Texas, Kansas Dairy Cattle is Confirmed as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Strain
BREAKING: Mystery Illness Impacting Texas, Kansas Dairy Cattle is Confirmed as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Strain

USDA says genetic sequencing revealed the mystery illness impacting Texas dairies is the same strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that's been in the U.S. The virus is carried by wild waterfowl.

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.

Livestock Industry Mourns Loss of Dr. Angela Baysinger
Livestock Industry Mourns Loss of Dr. Angela Baysinger

Dr. Angela Baysinger, DVM, passed away on March 8. Baysinger was well known throughout the pork industry for her contributions to veterinary medicine and empowering those around her every day.

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.

APHIS Bolsters Animal Health Surveillance for Unexplained Mortality Investigations
APHIS Bolsters Animal Health Surveillance for Unexplained Mortality Investigations

A new collaborative effort is helping fund rapid investigations of unexplained morbidity or mortality events in animals – unexpected deaths or illnesses that could signal emerging animal disease threats.

Employers Pivot Focus to Retention Strategies
Employers Pivot Focus to Retention Strategies

In recent years, agricultural employers consistently emphasized talent acquisition, but there has been a noticeable shift towards prioritizing retention as the primary focus in 2024.

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.

Sow Death Loss Reaches All-Time High in 2023: What Can Producers Do Now?
Sow Death Loss Reaches All-Time High in 2023: What Can Producers Do Now?

The latest MetaFarms reports show sow death loss in 2023 was at an all-time high at 15.3%. That’s up 1% from a year ago – a trend that continues to move in the wrong direction. 

Pork and Beef Industries Advocate for Clear Labels for ‘Fake Meat’
Pork and Beef Industries Advocate for Clear Labels for ‘Fake Meat’

A new act aims to boost transparency and clarify labeling requirements for plant-protein and cell-cultured protein products so consumers know what they are buying. Here's what you need to know.

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.

Mental Health Challenges Among Veterinary Teams: Study Says It's Getting Better
Mental Health Challenges Among Veterinary Teams: Study Says It's Getting Better

The latest Veterinary Wellbeing Study shows greater levels of job satisfaction and pride in work across veterinary teams, but challenges like student debt and a shortage of qualified veterinary team members remain.

Don’t Let PRRS Hold Your Swine Operation Hostage Anymore
Don’t Let PRRS Hold Your Swine Operation Hostage Anymore

PRRS has been holding the pork industry hostage for far too long. A new study shows improvements in swine herd biosecurity can reduce the incidence risk of PRRS.

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. 

Prevent Quitting: Keep Employees Top of Mind in 2024
Prevent Quitting: Keep Employees Top of Mind in 2024

These 10 steps can help keep your employees from walking away.

 House Passes Bill to Preserve Veterinary Use of Xylazine 
House Passes Bill to Preserve Veterinary Use of Xylazine 

 The House of Representatives passed the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act on Tuesday. It will help fight illicit use of the product in humans while preserving access to the drug for animals.

The Truth About mRNA Vaccines in the Animal Health Industry
The Truth About mRNA Vaccines in the Animal Health Industry

The animal health industry continues to face challenges of new and emerging diseases as well as improvements in current commercial vaccines. Here are 5 things Mike Roof wants you to know about mRNA vaccines.

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.

Tyson CEO Confesses Company Culture Was Lazy After Pandemic
Tyson CEO Confesses Company Culture Was Lazy After Pandemic

"We got fat and lazy," Tyson Foods Inc.’s leader candidly shared about his company’s underperformance in an interview following the opening of Tyson's new $300 million plant in Virginia, Bloomberg reported.

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.

U.S. Continues Efforts to Keep Japanese Encephalitis Virus Out
U.S. Continues Efforts to Keep Japanese Encephalitis Virus Out

The U.S. pork industry has learned its lesson about paying attention to disease outbreaks in other countries. That's why a new website has been created about Japanese Encephalitis Virus that wreaked havoc in Australia.

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.

How Iowa State University is Developing the Future of Production Animal Medicine
How Iowa State University is Developing the Future of Production Animal Medicine

A recent American Veterinary Medical Association study found less than 4% of veterinarians nationwide predominantly practice production animal medicine. Here's what Iowa State University is doing to help change that.

Researchers Confirm There Are Only Six Unique Strains of African Swine Fever Virus
Researchers Confirm There Are Only Six Unique Strains of African Swine Fever Virus

Fewer unique genotypes than the ASF research community first believed means there is less diversity of ASF virus affecting communities across the globe, USDA researchers say.

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.

Animal Rights Activist Found Guilty of Felony and Two Misdemeanors
Animal Rights Activist Found Guilty of Felony and Two Misdemeanors

Animal activist Wayne Hsiung was found guilty of one felony and two misdemeanor charges after nearly a week of deliberations before a Sonoma County jury for his role in "open rescues" on two farms.

Why We Need to Reinvent Veterinary Care Now
Why We Need to Reinvent Veterinary Care Now

What does veterinary care look like in the 21st Century? That question drove hours of conversation during the 21st Century Animal Health Symposium at the University of Illinois.

 K-State is Now On a Mission to Estimate the Potential Economic Losses From Possible Foreign Animal Diseases
K-State is Now On a Mission to Estimate the Potential Economic Losses From Possible Foreign Animal Diseases

A team at K-State has been chosen by the World Organisation of Animal Health to lead an international effort that will develop decision-making tools and improve communication on the economic impacts of animal diseases.

 Merck Animal Health Expands Voluntary Recall of Banamine 
Merck Animal Health Expands Voluntary Recall of Banamine 

The company announces it is voluntarily recalling four additional batches of Banamine/Banamine-S (flunixin meglumine injection) 50 mg/mL in the United States. The product is commonly used in cattle, swine and horses.

Veterinarian
Need A Veterinarian In Your Area? Then Support This Legislation Now

Less than 5% of new grads choose rural food animal practice. That needs to change to protect the U.S. food supply and public health. Contacting legislators is one way farmers and ranchers can weigh in and help.

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.

KENT to Celebrate Grand Opening of Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex at Iowa State
KENT to Celebrate Grand Opening of Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex at Iowa State

KENT Corporation will celebrate the grand opening of the Iowa State University KENT Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex on Sept. 8.

A New Toxicant Tool Decreases Feral Hog Populations in Texas
A New Toxicant Tool Decreases Feral Hog Populations in Texas

Explosive numbers, deadly destruction, devastating economic impact. Is it possible to control the spiraling feral hog population in Texas? A new study shows a warfarin-based toxicant could help.

Pharmgate Animal Health Welcomes John Addy as Vice President of Operations
Pharmgate Animal Health Welcomes John Addy as Vice President of Operations

Pharmgate Animal Health has announced John Addy as its new Vice President of Operations, taking the reins in spearheading and overseeing quality, supply chain and manufacturing functions.

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.