Swine industry asked to participate in feed efficiency survey
Kansas State University swine nutritionists are teaming up with their Iowa State University counterparts in asking swine producers, industry consultants and advisors to the pork industry to participate in an online survey about swine feed efficiency.
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Seaboard Foods’ Kansas hog site approved
Seaboard Foods received the “go-ahead” on its plans to build a swine complex that could house up to 144,000 hogs in west-central Kansas. According to reports Seaboard could build up to 120 barns, at 1,000 hogs a barn, an investment estimated at $30 million.
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Bedding levels affect animal well-being during transport
The amount of bedding used in trailers to haul pigs can have a significant impact on animal well-being, according to John McGlone, professor and swine welfare specialist, Texas Tech University. It is an area that has received increased attention recently and may offer a way to improve pig welfare during transport.
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Pork producers proceed cautiously into 2012
Last year a decent year for U.S. pork production as exports kept prices high and returned a profit even though corn prices also set a record high. “Estimated profits above all costs in 2011 were around $15 per head,” says Chris Hurt, Purdue University Extension economist. He expects 2012 margins to drop to about $10 per head.
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Economist sees modest pork industry expansion
Plain estimates that the breeding herd is 0.8 percent larger than a year ago; the market hog inventory is 1.4 percent larger; and the total herd is 1.4 percent larger than in December 2010.
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Still time to register for PRRS webinar, Dec. 21
You can still sign up to participate in Pork Network’s free webinar-- “PRRS: Strategies to keep it at bay.” The hour-long session will take place on Wed., Dec. 21, at 10:30 a.m (Central Time).
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Raising and marketing heritage hog breeds
In the world of local niche foods, raising heritage livestock is becoming just as popular as growing heirloom fruits and vegetables, and a non-profit organization in North Carolina has received funding to educate farmers on producing and marketing rare swine breeds.
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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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2012 Iowa Pork Congress slated for Jan. 25-26
Seminars and educational opportunities will likely be a popular draw for attendees. Topics of the nearly dozen sessions include PPRS, swine diets, animal well-being and regulations and nuisance case update.
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Latest swine research available online
The 2011 Swine Day Report of Progress (Kansas State publication SRP 1056) details numerous swine research projects delving into herd health, nursery and finishing swine nutrition management as well as meat quality.
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Feed processing strategies can improve margins
Feed processing is an important on-farm management strategy to lower costs and improve feed efficiency. Producers can achieve improved feed efficiency of pigs by decreasing feed particle size and by pelleting feeds.
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