Gestation
McDonald’s wants gestation-sow stalls eliminated
McDonald’s Corporation is calling on its U.S. pork suppliers to end the use of gestation-sow stalls. The world’s largest restaurant chain announced today that it will be studying suppliers’ options and will require them to outline plans to phase out the stalls.
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Commentary: Gestation stalls now lead HSUS' list
It’s no secret that animal activists have had gestation-sow crates on their list of things to eliminate for some time. The issue has been smoldering with periodic sparks fueled by such things as undercover videos like the ones that surfaced a week ago.
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HSUS moves pressure to Hormel and Tyson
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is having a busy week as it hit Hormel Foods’ annual meeting earlier this week and will attend Tyson Foods’ meeting on Friday. In each case HSUS is a company stockholder and in each case will challenge the pork producer/packer to end the use of gestation-sow stalls.
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Nebraska bill addresses animal abuse reporting
Nebraska lawmakers are considering a bill (LB915) that would tighten the timeline and requirements for reporting animal abuse.
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Seaboard and Prestage emphasize animal-care commitments
Seaboard Foods and Prestage Farms have both addressed the Humane Society of the United States’ (HSUS) latest undercover video and attack on their operations in Oklahoma and gestation-sow stalls.
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HSUS targets Seaboard, Prestage and Wal-Mart
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has released an undercover video taken at two swine systems near Goodwell, Okla.-- Seaboard Foods’ and Prestage Farms’ breeding and gestation facilities. HSUS also filed complaints with the U.S. Securities and Exchange and Federal Trade Commission involving statements on Seaboard’s website.
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30% of Smithfield’s gestation sows housed in groups
By year’s end, Smithfield Foods will have moved 30 percent of the company’s gestating sows out of stalls and into group housing.
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Webinar for answers to PRRS, Dec. 21
On Dec. 21, a free webinar-- “PRRS: Strategies to keep it at bay”—will feature Dr. Scott Dee, world-renown expert on PRRS transmission, biosecurity and aerobiology.
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Smithfield won’t turn records over to HSUS
Smithfield Foods officials have denied a request made earlier this week from the Humane Society of the United States to inspect records on the pork producers’ plans to eliminate gestation-sow stalls.
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HSUS files order to review Smithfield’s records
The Humane Society of the United States has once again turned its attention on Smithfield Foods. This time focusing on Smithfield’s delay in moving gestating sows out of stalls and into a group housing system.
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Watch for mycotoxins
As corn harvest winds down, farmers need to watch for potential molds and fungus in corn. Fields that were hit with late-summer hail could pose a particular risk. Also drought-stressed corn is susceptible to aflatoxin.
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- Corn and soybean prices continue to retrace 2012 drought rally
- Swine virus confirmed in Iowa, Indiana hog herds
- USDA says has detected virus in Iowa hog population
- Premium Standard Farms Founder Dies Unexpectedly
- Commentary: GMOs: How do I hate thee?
- Weather report: Rain spreads across the Corn Belt
