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AGRICULTURE BATTLES ‘BIG IS BAD’ CONSUMER BIAS
April 24, 2018 By Ken Anderson Consumers are not convinced that “bigger is better” when it comes to farming. Terry Fleck of the Center for Food Integrity (CFI) says as the size and scale of farming grows, so does the public’s skepticism about large farming operations. “Big Agriculture just doesn’t feel right to a lot of consumers,” […]
Continue ReadingTennessee farmers brace for financial impact from China trade war
Pig farmer Jimmy Tosh is worried about the impact of a trade war on his earnings. He will get hit from the increased cost of steel when he is building new barns and the lower revenue on pork. Jamie McGee, USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee April 16, 2018 HENRY, Tenn. — Jimmy Tosh, a third-generation farmer […]
Continue ReadingChina slaps 25% tariff on U.S. pork
China slaps 25% tariff on U.S. pork As promised, China imposes tariffs on 128 items including U.S. pork. Cheryl Day 2 | Apr 02, 2018 China imposes tariffs on $3 billion worth of U.S. imports including pork, counteracting the Trump’s administration’s move to slap tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. The Customs Tariff Commission of […]
Continue ReadingReducing sow mortality in the farrowing room
A lot of farrowing room focus is put on preweaning mortality, but reducing sow mortality also needs to receive producer attention. By John Deen, DVM, PhD, MBA, University of Minnesota Swine Group Mar 13, 2018 Mortality rates are highest in the farrowing room, whether it be for pigs or sows. When we include stillbirths, it […]
Continue ReadingA Growing “Teacup” Pig Problem
Sara Brown February 27, 2018 01:30 PM Pinterest is full of cute animal pictures, and among the most popular are teacup or miniature pigs. But like we all know—pigs, however big or small, are still…well, pigs. Others are figuring that out too. Even the Humane Society of Missouri is asking people to think twice before […]
Continue ReadingHIMP, Swine Slaughter House Rule Finally Approved
OMB approves HIMP swine slaughter rule; industry pleased BY NEWS DESK | JANUARY 16, 2018 Changes to how pork slaughter plants could be regulated are going forward after a mere 21 years in the making. President Donald Trump’s Administration has approved a final rule that had its origin during President Bill Clinton’s Administration. The U.S. […]
Continue ReadingDetermining optimum stocking density in nursery pigs
Studies have shown that providing an optimal space allowance increases productivity by maximizing feed intake and the average daily gain of animals. Jan 22, 2018 Researchers: Cyril R. Roy, Ravneet Kaur and Jennifer A. Brown, Prairie Swine Centre, Saskatoon, Sask.; Yolande M. Seddon, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan; Dan Bussieres, Groupe […]
Continue ReadingPig farmers pay it forward ham by ham
Second annual #HamsAcrossAmerica campaign kicks off in Iowa, with participation from the National Pork Board, the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Smithfield Foods Inc. and PrairieFresh Premium Pork. Nov 28, 2017 Source: National Pork Board Today, the National Pork Board, the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Smithfield Foods Inc. and PrairieFresh Premium Pork joined forces to support […]
Continue ReadingCRISPR Bacon
CRISPR Bacon: Chinese Scientists Create Genetically Modified Low-Fat Pigs October 23 ROB STEIN Scientists have used a new gene-editing technique to create pigs that can keep their bodies warmer, burning more fat to produce leaner meat. Infrared pictures of 6-month-old pigs taken at zero, two, and four hours after cold exposure show that the pigs’ […]
Continue ReadingIs Vertical Farming the Next Big Thing in Agriculture?
It’s Called Vertical Farming, And It Could Be The Future Of Agriculture By Ronald Holden, Forbes Magazine A 20-foot vertical farm inside a climate-controlled cylinder. The concept sounds like science fiction: instead of spreading out across acres and acres, the farms of the future will grow lettuce and strawberries inside climate-controlled, light-controlled cylinders. Less land, […]
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