I spent much of this weekend participating in a SwineLink network event in Des Moines, Iowa, an event for women in the swine industry that was sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. I was surrounded by women, several who were swine vets and others working in other facets of the business, learning about how to succeed in a male dominated industry, tips …
Groups Discouraged With Passage of Partisan Farm Bill
Agricultural groups are discouraged with the passage today of the U.S. House of Representatives’ H.R. 1947, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 (FARRM). The bill slid through with a tight margin of 216 to 208 after more than six hours of debate today and did not include food stamp authorization or nutrition programs, which the House …
Dirt, Demin & Diamonds Features Women in Ag
The Flint-Hills Chapter of Kansas Agri-Women is hosting its second annual Dirt, Denim and Diamonds conference on August 8-10, 2013. The conference will be held at the Living Water Ranch located sixteen miles north of Manhattan, Kansas. Inspired by family members and other ag conferences, this event is focused on the integral role a rural woman plays. From managing their …
A Swinetiffic Relationship – Pork and Biofuels
Today is Iowa Swine Day (June 27) and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) is taking a time to show how renewable fuels production is boosting the profitability of raising hogs in Iowa. “On Iowa Swine Day, it’s important to remember that a strong renewable fuels industry means a strong hog industry here in Iowa,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte …
Novozymes Acquires TJ Technologies
Novozymes has signed a definitive agreement to acquire TJ Technologies Inc. based in Watertown, South Dakota. The move was made in an effort to continue to build Novozymes’ business in the BioAgriculture sector. TJ Technologies specializes in bioyield enhancement. “With this acquisition we continue to build our business within sustainable bioagriculture. TJ Technologies Inc. is a frontrunner in bioyield enhancers, …
Getting More Nutrients From A Pig’s Diet
I caught up with Aidan Connolly, vice president of corporate accounts with Alltech, recently while he was in Des Moines, Iowa for the 25th Anniversary of the World Pork Expo. I peppered him with questions from feed prices to the importance of nutrients in the diet to some of the diseases the pork industry is addressing and got the low …
Check out the Propane Farm Incentive Program
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is encouraging producers to upgrade their grain dryers with a $5,000 incentive through the Propane Farm Incentive Program. Producers who purchase a new qualifying propane-fueled dryer from GSI Group or Mathews Co. now through the end of 2013 can apply for the incentive through PERC’s nationwide research program. In exchange, producers report post-harvest …
Benefits of Mintrex Cu on Pigs & Mode of Action
Mintrex Cu (copper) has benefits on pigs and mode of action. Dr. Yulin Ma, who works on Novus International’s research and development team, gave a presentation during the 25th Anniversary of the World Pork Expo about seven trials pertaining to the company’s new product Mintrex Cu. Ma explained that when adding the product to premix, the copper sulfate helped the …
Hogtoberfeast Was a Feast
One of the most anticipated events during the World Pork Expo each year is the hog roast sponsored by Automated Production Systems. It seems each year the event gets bigger and this year was no exception. The theme “Hogtoberfeast” was celebrated in true German style from the decoration of the pig to the costumes and accents of those who participated …
GIPSA: Farm Bill, Price Concerns Key Issues
Larry Mitchell, USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Act (GIPSA) administer, along with Deputy Administrator Susan Keith, spent the day at the 25th anniversary of the World Pork Expo. While attending the event, the two took some time for an answer and question session to give the pork industry and update on close term challenges and opportunities. The biggest challenge …