Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome … better known as PRRS … has changed the way farmers raise hogs, and attendees of the Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) seminars at the recent World Pork Expo were able to hear how biosecurity, vaccination and tracking of PRRS are keys to controlling the disease. At the session I was able to attend, Dr. …
Organic Acids Benefiting Swine Production & Welfare
Swine health is of the utmost importance for producers and the use of antibiotics has often been used to keep the pigs healthy. Yet a few years ago, the European Union passed legislation that limited the use of antibiotics for animal health. Since then, many of these producers have been using organic acids to help improve pig health with great …
Off to the Pig Races
Apparently I’m the last to know about the sport of pig racing. While I was at the World Pork Expo (WPX) last week, I watched a few of these cute little pigs race to the finish line. The motivation to race? A Fig Newton. I must say, these are my kinds of pigs! The pigs are trained at the Hedricks …
Novus Introduces Sow Program at World Pork Expo
New from Novus International at the World Pork Expo this year was the Equalizing Sow Performance program designed to optimize herd production. I talked with Randy Anderson (left), who is the National Pork Business Sales Manager for Novus, about the sow program, which he says is basically a combination of their MINTREX® and ZORIEN® products. “We’re feeding the sows through …
Pork Producers, Choi: Korea Pork Trade Agreement Vital
A hot topic at this year’s World Pork Expo was the pending free trade agreements that are awaiting Congressional approval. Don Butler, immediate past president of the National Pork Producers cited the agreements between the U.S. and Colombia, Panama and South Korea could make a world of difference for the pork industry in this country. In fact, Butler says the …
Positive PRRS Progress
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) was proud to present some positive progress on the control and eradication of Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS) at World Pork Expo last week. First, they held a PRRS Area Regional Control workshop on Wednesday and Thursday that was for producers and veterinarians to find out what they can do to implement ARC. On …
World Pork Expo GM Thrilled with Crowds
The weather was crazy at World Pork Expo on Thursday, as a two hour torrential downpour at midday gave way to sunshine by the time the band took the stage and the roasted pigs were carved for the crowds. Some time during the rain, general manager John Wrigley stopped by to visit with the folks at the Novus International tent …
Mexican Fiesta Iowa Style
The torrential rains cleared out just in time for the annual pig roast at World Pork Expo. Automated Production Systems (AP) were the culinary experts of all things pork during the show. Yesterday, I watched as they prepared the pig, which was roasted for more than 24 hours. First, they seasoned the pig with sea salt and then they added …
Kids, Hogs, Horses & Tractors
I spent a majority of the morning today at World Pork Expo hanging out in the swine and cattle barns. While I was there, I had the opportunity to see my first pig showing competition. The World Pork Expo Junior National’s was in high gear and several hundred people were in and around the show ring supporting the competitors. There …
Improved Feed Quality = Improved Pig Health
There are many elements of a pig producer’s operations that could affect both pig health and his bottom line. One such factor is the quality of animal feed. Poor quality can spell trouble for the pigs….illness, depressed growth and lower birth rates just to name a few. To learn more about how to address problems with feed and some options …