Recent Packaged Facts survey data reveals that 58 percent of consumers are more concerned about food animal welfare now than they were in previous years. Lack of understanding, combined with a desire to provide humane treatment for food animals, have led to shifts in consumer demand for meat, poultry, egg and other related products. The common assumption is organic standards … [Read more...]
Saturated fat does not clog the arteries
Unclogging pipes works wonders for a sink that doesn’t drain quickly. It’s next to useless in human medicine. So is the conventional wisdom that eating foods containing saturated fat and cholesterol inevitably lead to coronary heart disease. A meta-analysis of literature — such as the peer-reviewed journals Nature, the British Medical Journal and the American Journal of … [Read more...]
Not all disinfectants are equal
Animal health pros must be regularly reminded that not all disinfectants are created equal. The AASV study of disinfectant effect on Senecavirus A is stark reminder of the variances in disinfectant efficacies. Source: Pork Network, March 20, 2017. Household bleach, a phenolic disinfectant, and a quaternary ammonium-aldehyde disinfectant were tested at manufacturer’s … [Read more...]
World Veterinary Day is April 29
Antimicrobial Resistance – From Awareness to Action, is the theme of World Veterinary Day, which will be celebrated April 29 this year. The celebration of the profession began in 2000 and is scheduled annually for the last Saturday in April. Source: Pork Network, March 21, 2017. Veterinary Services including veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals have a key part to … [Read more...]
Wild pig meat goes USDA Prime
Producer Keith Mann slaughters, processes and sells wild pig meat on his South Florida operation, all signed and sealed by USDA. “We thought the market was ready and knew a lot of chefs would be interested. People instantly recognize the meat is packed with awesome flavor,” he says. Mann could sell every wild pig processed if he had market access. Even foreign markets in … [Read more...]
Swine Health Information Center helps producers and veterinarians
The four main categories of the Swine Health Information Center mission are: Preparedness, Response, Monitoring, and Analysis. “Education is key to preparedness,” said Dr. Paul Sundberg, executive director of the SHIC. In 2016, SHIC produced nine additional swine disease fact sheets, bringing the total number of fact sheets to 33. Source: Pork Network, January 30, … [Read more...]
Dr. Scott Dee discusses antimicrobial resistance
A recent CDC report that listed the most worrisome threats associated with antibiotic resistance did not implicate livestock, veterinarian Scott Dee says. Veterinarians, producers and others in the food industry are nevertheless working to improve stewardship of antimicrobials. Source: Pork Network, January 9, 2017 via AVMA Animal Health SmartBrief. Research to better … [Read more...]
Wild pigs still rock agriculture
Wild pigs cause $1.5 million in damage in the U.S. according to 2013 USDA estimates. Jack Mayer is currently working on a project for the agency to estimate overall wild pig numbers. He places the U.S. wild pig population at 6.3 million, with a possible range of 4 million to 11 million. Source: Pork Network, November 30, 2016. The cost of wild pig damage to the agriculture … [Read more...]
Opinion – Antibiotics: man vs. animal
Staying neutral about the antibiotic resistance issue is difficult for those of us who have observed how slow adoption hurts the acceptance of proven animal health protocols. According to Rick Bergman, executive director for the Center for Consumer Freedom, physicians now frequently reach for “big gun or last resort” antibiotics, which likely contributes to antibiotic … [Read more...]
FFA launches celebrity and notable careers
Angela Bowman shares a fun look at famous persons who wore the FFA blue and gold. Presidents, singers and actors are on her list. Source: Pork Network, November 22, 2016. What do Taylor Swift, Jordy Nelson and Jimmy Carter have in common? The answer: They were each former FFA members and grew up learning to recite the FFA creed, pledging their belief in the future of … [Read more...]
Pig virus with polio-like symptoms discovered
A novel sapelovirus that Iowa State University researchers had not previously encountered was found in microscopic lesions in two pigs’ central nervous tissues. The 11-week-old pigs displayed a polio-like weakness in their hind legs that prevented walking. Source: Pork Network, October 13, 2016. Paulo Arruda, an assistant professor of veterinary diagnostic and production … [Read more...]
Professional development for employees is critical
Our post, 21st-century agriculture amazes many, scares some paints vivid pictures of food production in the United States. As technology advances, new skills are paramount to achieve success. Erika Osmundson reminds employers of seven underlying benefits from professional development beyond simple education: Confidence and credibility Efficiency Ability to influence … [Read more...]
OUCH! Prevent needle sticks.
The Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center says more than 80 percent of U.S. farmworkers have accidentally stuck themselves with a needle while vaccinating animals. A study in Australia published in 2009, showed around three quarters (75.3 percent) reported suffering at least one needle-stick injury (NSI) in the previous 12 months, while 58.9% reported suffering … [Read more...]
Editorial – Some U.S. teens are hungry – literally
A majority of animal health pros are parents or grandparents. This article so compelling I wanted to share it with our readers. A recent small, exploratory study shines a light on how food insecurity affects teens (ages 13 to 18) and threatens their well-being. An estimated 6.8 million people ages 10 to 17 are food insecure, meaning they don’t have reliable access to enough … [Read more...]
Editorial – Seek clarity before condemning meat
“Is meat good for you?” continues to be a significant part of nutritional research. While moms still promote eating vegetables, modern media personnel have forgotten how to read research reports in their entirety. The result is that meat frequently gets condemned. Dan Murphy, a veteran food-industry journalist and commentator exposes the fallacies in much of the reporting … [Read more...]
FDA pilot program begins on-farm VFD inspections
A pilot program designed to help educate FDA auditors as they prepare for VFD implementation has been launched. Auditors are focusing on swine operations first since the pork industry has had a VFD requirement for more than a decade for tilmicosin, florfenicol and avilamycin. The main items producers should know how to answer prior to an inspector visiting their farm are shown … [Read more...]
It’s time to demand less food waste
Whether it is portion size, harvesting and storage issues or cosmetic perfection for packaging, we waste nearly half of all food produced, says JoAnn Alumbaugh, editor. She gives all of us compelling information to consider as we seek to feed the world. Source: Pork Network, May 16, 2016. Do the basic math: If we can feed 6 billion people on 2 billion to 2.8 billion tons of … [Read more...]
Pseudorabies discovered on Missouri hog farm
Officials destroyed about 100 hogs on a Callaway County, Missouri hog farm after the herd tested positive for pseudorabies. Feral hogs are suspected to have exposed the herd to the disease, which affects a pig’s central nervous system. Source: Pork Network, May 13, 2016. In this particular herd, testing came back as serologically positive and the decision was made to … [Read more...]
Research simulates PEDv route of entry from China
Scott Dee, DVM, Pipestone, Minnesota, led a study designed to simulate the shipping route of a feed source from Beijing, China to Des Moines, Iowa. Results show feed could be a transfer medium for PEDv. It also modeled potential mitigation strategies. Dee’s findings set the stage for more research. Source: Pork Network, April 25, 2016. Under the conditions of this study, … [Read more...]
Pork trademarks under fire by HSUS
The Humane Society of the United States will continue its legal challenges to a 2006 sale of “Pork. The Other White Meat” and other Pork trademarks by the National Pork Producers Council to the National Pork Board for $35 million. HSUS contends the sale and ensuing payments were unlawful and the Pork Board is prohibited from using checkoff dollars to influence … [Read more...]
Watch for farm equipment on roadways
It is planting season. Agricultural and grounds maintenance equipment are now more present on our country roads and by-ways. Here are good reminders to share with family, colleagues and staff. Source: Pork Network, April 15, 2016. Slow down on rural roads, says Karen Funkenbusch. A car traveling 55 mph requires 224 feet to stop on dry payment, assuming average reaction time … [Read more...]
USDA issues revised Senecavirus A guidelines
The USDA has issued a revised guidance document describing procedures and responsibilities for handling swine herds suspected of having Senecavirus A to ensure that foreign animal disease investigations occur per agency guidelines. While swine specialists have working knowledge of these guidelines, veterinary teams in mixed animal practices may not be aware of these … [Read more...]
Setting the record straight on animal antibiotics
Dr. Richard Raymond, well-known in food safety and animal health circles, shared his thoughts about animal antibiotics in a recent commentary on Meatingplace. In it, he responded to an article with the headline, “FDA report shows antibiotic sales on the rise.” Raymond feels the organizations representing animal agriculture should do a better job of explaining to consumers and … [Read more...]