Bagel chain announces intent to go stall-free
Bruegger’s Bagels restaurant chain has joined the growing list of food retailers and grocery stores announcing that they will eliminate sow gestation stalls from its pork supply chain. The company, headquartered in Burlington, Vt., offers breakfast bagel sandwiches featuring bacon, ham or sausage.
FULL STORY »
Consistent sow feeding promotes consistent pig production
Sow rations should be formulated and body condition scoring protocols implemented, so body condition scores (BCS) remain steady through the production cycle, says Mike Hemann, swine nutritionist for Purina Animal Nutrition.
FULL STORY »
Commentary: Companies pacify HSUS - for now
Companies that are requesting pork producers to eliminate sow gestation stalls are playing follow the leader and unfortunately the leader is the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Somehow HSUS has been able to convince these companies that they are the “experts” on animal welfare while the real experts are being ignored.
FULL STORY »
Dunkin’ Donuts to eliminate sow gestation crates
Dunkin’ Donuts is the latest food retailer to announce that it will eliminate sow gestation crates from its pork supply chain. In order to determine a timeline for eliminating gestation crates, the company will require its U.S. pork suppliers to outline their plans to achieve the goal.
FULL STORY »
HSUS sow stall effort “absolutely not justifiable”
The Humane Society of the United States’ (HSUS) validation of sow gestation stalls as not being humane and not sustainable is “absolutely not justifiable,” said Janeen Salek-Johnson, associate professor of animal well-being, University of Illinois.
FULL STORY »
Retail pork supplier sets gestation-stall-free deadline at 2017
A major U.S. food distributor-- Atlantic Premium Brands Ltd.—wants its pork suppliers to eliminate gestation-sow stalls by 2017. Some of its retail clients include the grocery chains Walmart, HEB, Kroger, Costco, Win Dixie, Sam’s Club, Safeway, and SuperValu.
FULL STORY »
The impact of PRRS on the cost of pig production
One of the most prominent health issues in the pork industry is the porcine reproductive and repository syndrome virus (PRRSv). It causes extended days to market for growing pigs and reproductive problems in the breeding herd.
FULL STORY »
New feeding knowledge distributed to specialists
With a world tour that visited 20 countries, the ToPigs nutrition team has introduced new feeding manuals for sows. This intensive knowledge distribution reached 700 feeding specialists in just 6 months.
FULL STORY »
Recording birth weights helps identify full potential pigs
During times of high feed costs, pork producers should carefully evaluate key production data to help identify those animals with the best chance to become full potential pigs. Piglet birth weight is one such key parameter.
FULL STORY »
Group gestation will change selection and management dynamics
“Today’s sows are not your parents’ sows,” Tim Loula, DVM, St. Peter Veterinary Clinic, told attendees of a FeetFirst swine conference on Thursday presented by Zinpro. The most dramatic difference is that over the past 20 years, the sow herd has become tremendously more productive requiring different approaches to management, selection and animal care.
FULL STORY »
SowBridge educational series starts Nov. 7
The information you receive through the SowBridge program will improve your understanding and increase productivity in breeding herds and farrowing systems. Participants will gain valuable information to improve their operation through direct access to professionals.
FULL STORY »
- Corn and soybean prices continue to retrace 2012 drought rally
- Premium Standard Farms Founder Dies Unexpectedly
- USDA says has detected virus in Iowa hog population
- Tyson selects panel to monitor animal welfare program
- Weather report: Rain spreads across the Corn Belt
- Jury decision favors Premium Standard Farms
