http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-magazine/features RSS Feed for Features en-us Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:57:53 GMT http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-magazine/features/Tysons-FarmCheck-will-Audit-Animal-Well-being---176971581.html Animal care and well-being is a priority every day on every hog farm. However, conveying that to non-farm folks can be a challenge. http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-magazine/features/Priorities-for-World-Class-Pork--176970071.html Does 33.5 pigs per sow per year sound feasible? How about a 95 percent farrowing rate and a litter weaning average of 13 pigs? http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-magazine/features/Are-You-Ready-for-PRRS-Season-176969481.html It’s clear that the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus is a formidable opponent. For nearly three decades the virus has evolved, retreated, resurfaced and, some might say, outsmarted attempts to gain control over it. http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-magazine/features/Take-Aim-at-Enteric-Disease-176968811.html Performance losses associated with diarrhea are always worthy of concern, but add in today’s high feed costs and you have an extra incentive to keep the pig’s digestive tract healthy and functioning efficiently. http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-magazine/features/Dry-Fields-Alter-Manure-Application-Priorities-173298591.html As crop growers evaluate the damage done to your fields and crops by the 2012 drought it’s easy to see first-hand the cracks, or fractures, that have developed. Confronting the damage left behind will be a priority for months to come. http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-magazine/features/Getting-the-Results-You-Want-173297131.html There’s no question that employees influence a business’ outcome, and it’s also true that management needs to set the right direction in order to accomplish the results you want. As this year’s economic pressures mount, keeping employees informed, outlining clear objectives and coaching them through challenges will help everyone meet new demands. http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-magazine/features/Weighing-Market-Weight-Options-173296411.html With corn prices hitting the $8 level, hog market weights are coming under greater scrutiny. As feed efficiency drops in the late-finishing phase now is the time to weigh the options involved with this costly gain. http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-magazine/features/Expanding-the-Farm-to-Retail-Reach-168965026.html Pork producers in Europe have dealt with well-organized and vocal animal-rights groups longer and more intensely than U.S. producers. Some of that is due to the nature of the United States being a significantly larger and more diverse country than any individual European nation. http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-magazine/features/Nutrition-Key-to-Unlocking-30-PSY-168963466.html Mike Deahr realizes the economic importance of nutrition within his operation. With 3,000 sows in his Muscatine, Iowa, farrow-to-wean/­finish system, sow rations have a large impact on his bottom line. http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-magazine/features/Focus-on-Feed-Strategies-to-Offset-Drought-168925786.html The 2012 drought and the crop damage it inflicted may present the biggest challenge you have faced in your professional career. Feeding strategies will be a high priority for months to come.