Antibiotic exposure is inescapable and makes antibiotic resistance a reality we can’t avoid. We share a lot of bugs and resistance genes, but we also may share a lot of solutions,” Bill Pomputius says. “Our use of antibiotics accelerates the pace at which antibiotic resistance emerges and spreads in bacteria through both evolution and selective pressure.” Source: PORK, … [Read more...]
Feeding weed by-products to pigs
No! the pigs don’t get high but some say the market for legal cannabis by-products may add value to pork production. What I do taste is juicier pork, and a more resistant texture – there’s no mushiness involved.” Source: PORK, November 2, 2018. Link. Feeding byproducts of the legal marijuana industry is of interest to many in the pork industry,” says Anna Dilger, associate … [Read more...]
Learning from the Leman conference
The annual Leman conference has consistently been a place of discovery, sharing and a focus on improving swine management and pork protein production. Jennifer Shike and JoAnn Alumbaugh share an overview from this year’s conference. Source: PORK, October 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: Last year’s theme of co-opetition, the balance between cooperation and competition, is evident in … [Read more...]
It’s time to review farm biosecurity plans (includes video)
Heavy swine disease pressure outside the U.S. is real. African swine fever, classic swine flu and foot and mouth disease are all being reported. Swine and cattle are implicated. All of these threats underline the need for U.S. producers and feed suppliers to review and increase biosecurity protocols to keep disease threats from affecting U.S. herds. The scale of dealing with … [Read more...]
Watch out for “The iPhone Effect”
As a manager, when you talk with employees do you incessantly check your cellphone? Or, are the employees looking at theirs? “The iPhone Effect: The Quality of In-Person Social Interactions in the Presence of Mobile Devices,” was published in the journal, “Environment and Behavior.” It examined the relationship between the presence of mobile devices during social interactions … [Read more...]
Get the most from manure
Farmers have started harvesting including cutting hay, wheat and oats and mowing field edges to allow for better air circulation. This is also time when manure can be broadcast on fields. Sara Brown previews an app that calculates a manure application rate, based on the choice of nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) limits and the N, P, and potassium (K) that will be applied to the … [Read more...]
Antibiotic use is all about animal welfare
Carissa Odland, DVM, is a swine practitioner whose antibiotic comments apply to all species. Her discussion forms a solid position for any animal health pro who engages in an antibiotic-free discussion. There are three reasons why we use antibiotics in veterinary medicine: Treat disease Control disease Prevent disease Source: PORK, July 23, 2018. Link. By … [Read more...]
The stuff animal rights activists say: 2018 edition
Animal rights activists are often loud, opinionated and definitely disruptive. And they are influencers too. Each year, the Animal Agriculture Alliance releases reports from major animal rights conferences. It's critical to understanding what strategies and tactics will be used next against animal agriculture, says Hannah Thompson-Weeman, communications director, Animal … [Read more...]
Flies spread PEDV year-round
Pig producers have another good reason to think about fly control. A study conducted earlier this year confirms that even a few flies have the ability to infect pigs with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). Source: PORK, May 23, 2018. Link. This new research shows flies pose a year-round risk for disease transmission, creating a new paradigm. A disease risk reduction … [Read more...]
Erin Brenneman sharing farm life with a new generation
Our industry is blessed to have passionate advocates like Erin Brenneman, the city girl turned pig farmer and social media maven. Her story is lived out across the country on farms and livestock production locations, but few dedicate themselves to educating a new generation. This is a must-read for animal health pros. Brenneman’s passion helps people from all backgrounds … [Read more...]
Animal welfare tops list of American causes
Americans say they care more about animal welfare than children’s education and hunger. That’s according to the findings of the “Causes Americans Care About,” a new study that gathered responses from 1,000 adults: 41% chose animal welfare number one. Children’s education ranked second with 38% of respondents. Hunger, chosen by 33% of respondents ranked number … [Read more...]
30-plus years of pork industry milestones, issues
Neil Dierks, CEO of the National Pork Producers Council, reflects on the development of the pork industry. He highlights these issues as the most memorable: Mandatory pork checkoff Pseudorabies eradication program H1N1 flu pandemic of 2009 Application of technology Animal ID/premise ID Growth of exports Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome … [Read more...]
Bacon: America’s meat candy (includes slides)
For bacon’s sake! For years, we’ve been in the age of bacon mania where consumers can’t get enough of delicious cured pork belly and bacon-flavored foods. Sara Brown shares a slide deck that shows bacon’s rise to fame. Source: Pork, March 26, 2018. America's favorite meat has a long history of making people smile. … [Read more...]
Size doesn’t matter; pigs are still pigs
Sara Brown addresses the teacup, or miniature pig fad. Some people bought the pets, not realizing that miniature pigs can grow to be 40 lbs. to 300 lbs. And they still have natural pig instincts. Rooting and raiding cabinets were just two examples of pig behavior for which people weren’t prepared. Source: Pork, February 27, 2018. The Humane Society of Missouri is asking … [Read more...]
Opinion – Brain-eating pork tapeworm found in man’s eye (includes video)
A Florida man discovered a tapeworm living in the vitreous chamber of his eye—the fluid behind the eye lens, between the cornea. He believed he contracted the worm, Taenia solium, commonly called a pork tapeworm, after eating undercooked pork during the holidays. T. solium passes to humans from consuming raw pork or through contact with human fecal matter. It’s likely you … [Read more...]
Senecavirus A gaining a foothold in the U.S. swine industry
Dr. Jack Shere, a DVM with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, is concerned about the increasing prevalence of Senecavirus A (SVA) in the U.S. swine herd. SVA is a disease that mimics Foot and Mouth disease (FMD). This is why producers need to be more vigilant than ever when they see signs of blisters or lesions on pigs’ skin . Source: Pork, December 8, … [Read more...]
Wild pigs march across the U.S.
The wild pig population explosion shows no signs of slowing. It has expanded from 19 states in 1985 to 39 states in 2016. Recent testing of using sodium nitrate in the form of a new oral toxicant is showing promise to help curb wild pig populations. Dale Nolte, national coordinator for the National Feral Swine Damage Management Program, said, “Recent research results suggest … [Read more...]
Pig transformation changing with the times
In a fun and informative retrospective, Pork’s JoAnn Alumbaugh reviews the history of pig confirmation and the societal influences that shape a hog as we know them today. Source: Pork, August 10, 2017. Genetics, diet, marketing trends and once more, consumer tastes, continue to evolve so the composition of modern pigs evolves as well. Pig farmers now consider all of the … [Read more...]
Guidelines for working farm kids updated
The National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety has updated guidelines for children working in agriculture for the first time in 20 years. The guidelines give parents a recommended age range for specific tasks and a set of competencies as well. Source: Pork, August 2, 2017. Children performing jobs not consistent with their abilities is the main … [Read more...]
Pig’s personalities may play role in welfare
Professor Kristina Horback is an animal-cognition expert with the Department of Animal Science at the University of California-Davis. She is building on her pioneering research that examines the role personality plays in the welfare and sustainable production of farm animals, like cattle, sheep and swine. Her work is driven by new legislative and marketplace demands to raise … [Read more...]
Livestock protect children from asthma
It is a known fact that microbes on farms protect children from asthma and allergies. But, even non-microbial molecules can have a protective effect. New research from the University of Zurich opens up opportunities for transferring the protective effect of farms to all children. Source: Pork, July 17, 2017. Early childhood contact with animals and the consumption of food … [Read more...]
Early weaning is hard on pigs
Speaking about his research findings, Adam Moeser, DVM, discussed the pathophysiology of stress-induced gastrointestinal disorders in animals and people during a recent meeting in Rome, Italy. He explained that during postnatal life, major developmental changes take place in the enteric nervous system of pigs. Because the GI systems are undergoing development during this time, … [Read more...]
Virtual farm tour increase understanding of how farms work
These videos about swine production are a must-see for all animal health pros. It is easy to get behind in our understanding of how today’s producers work. Consider linking to these virtual tours in blog posts, clinic websites, newsletters and social media. Source: Pork, June 26, 2017. The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) has been sharing a one-of-a-kind … [Read more...]