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Iowa Pork Industry Centerpig News archives

 

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December 2002:

  • Final USDA Hogs and Pigs Report of 2002 shows breeding inventory, market inventory and pig crop numbers all lower than 2002.
  • IPIC director named Charles Stanislaw Memorial Distinguished Service Award winner by National Swine Improvement Federation. John Mabry received the annual award during the NSIF annual conference earlier this month. Read more about Mabry's work with NSIF. 12/12/2002
  • New National Pork Board study helps producers find highest value for their pigs. The study evaluated more than 1,000 carcasses through six different procedures that packers use to value carcasses. Read more about the study and its results on the NPB Web site. 12/03/2002
  • Smithfield Foods buys Vall, Inc. an Oklahoma-based hog production company from Vall's Spanish parent, Vall Companies Group for just under $61 million. Read a news release about the purchase. 11/14/2002

 

November 2002:

  • Public comment period now open on proposed changes to Chapter 65 of the Iowa Administrative Code - Animal Feeding Operations. This includes the environmental matrix. Written and oral comments to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources regarding the proposed changes are encouraged. The deadline for submitting comments is Dec. 6, 2002. Read a news release on the public comment period. Read the proposed master matrix draft.
  • Judge Richard Enslen of the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan ruled Oct. 25 that the pork checkoff is unconstitutional. Read his ruling and what others are saying. 11/18/2002

October 2002:

  • IPIC to fund six research-demonstration projects. Sow gestation feeder design, feed additive comparison and manure utilization with N-Serve are among the six project proposals approved by IPIC for total funding of $17,400 this fiscal year. Read a news release about the projects. 10/28/2002
  • Total world pork exports could reach record 3.9 million tons in 2003, an increase of 2% over the estimated 2002 level, according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. Read a news article on The PigSite's Web site. See a summary table for selected countries on the USDA-FAS Web site. 10/21/2002
  • Illinois has lost nearly 85 percent of its swine farms in the past 25 years, according to one University of Illinois Extension swine specialist. The USDA says 10.5 percent of Illinois hog farms account for 62 percent of the pigs produced there. Read more in a University of Illinois news release. 10/17/2002
  • USDA has issued voluntary COOL guidelines. The "Country of Origin Labeling" applies to certain products sold at retail. Covered commodities for pork must be derived exclusively from animals born, raised and slaughtered in the United States. Read a news release or a list of questions and answers. 10/10/2002
  • The ultimate in recycling swine nutrients is focus of research by North Carolina State University swine nutrition specialist Theo Van Kempen. This method of waste disposal receiving attention combusts (or thermally decomposes) dried fecal material for recovery of energy. Bacteria, viruses and antibiotic residues are destroyed, and the energy recovered can heat a building or drive a generator. Read more about this research in the latest edition of Swine News, a monthly newsletter from NCSU. 10/08/2002
  • Are you ready for some bacon (from cloned pigs?) Some food industry officials and consumer groups say no. In fact, an Associated Press article says "While many Americans do not mind munching on chips made from genetically modified corn, they are not ready to see 'beef a la transgenic cow' on the menu or in the freezer." Read the Oct. 6 article printed in The Olympian newspaper. 10/08/2002

September 2002:

  • Ontario Pork and the Department of Land Resource Science, University of Guelph are developing a "geospatial" database of all types of swine producing barns to provide necessary information to manage a Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) outbreak in Canada. A team will visit every known hog location (operations and processing facilities) in the country and record exact coordinates using GPS (global positioning satellite) system. Read more about this ambitious undertaking. 09/30/2002
  • Survey of animal health companies shows antibiotics use in livestock has decreased. The Animal Health Institute says that although meat production rose 1.1 million pounds between 1999-2001, the volume of antibiotics sold during that same period decreased by 2.2 million pounds. Read an article about the survey findings. 09/30/2002
  • Variety meats export workshop for smaller packers and processors, including custom processors and those who serve pork niche marketers, is planned for Oct. 23 by the National Pork Board and the Pork Checkoff. Read more about the workshop, to be held at the Iowa State University Meat Lab. Cost is $20 in advance, $25 at the door. 09/20/2002
  • The ISU animal science department has received approval to hire an assistant professor in the swine area. Applications for this position are due Nov. 1, 2002, with an expected start date of Jan. 1, 2003. Without this approval, Palmer Holden's retirement this year would have limited the department's swine extension resources. The position is classified as extension and applied research. For more information, see the vacancy announcement. 09/06/2002
  • Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology live audio webcast will be available for two programs next week. "Biotech in the Barnyard: Implications of Genetically Engineered Animals" on Sept. 24-25 and "Animal Cloning and the Production of Food Products - Perspectives from the Food Chain" Sept. 26. You need to register before receiving the webcast. 09/20/2002
  • Sygen International plans FMD-immune pigs. Formerly known as Pig Improvement Company, Sygen has announced it is looking for the gene that is resistant to foot-and-mouth to patent the discovery technology and sell its knowledge and livestock to farmers. Read a news article about these plans. 09/17/2002
  • Hormel and Excel announce joint venture to nationally market branded fresh case ready beef and pork under the existing Hormel Always Tender brand name. Read more in a Hormel news release. 09/06/2002
  • AVMA approves resolution on sow housing. The resolution strengthens the American Veterinary Medical Association’s support for the use of sow housing configurations that meet certain minimum standards for animal care and welfare. Resolution 3 was submitted by the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. Read more about the voice vote on the resolution. 09/03/2002
  • Pork Quality Assurance meetings planned. IPIC and Iowa
    Pork Producers Association are cooperating to provide a
    series of PQA meetings to producers throughout Iowa. Check
    the list     for a location near you. 07/29/2002

August 2002:

  • Dr. Max F. Rothschild and Mr. Kwan Suk Kim of the ISU animal science department have received an R&D award from R&D Magazine for the discovery of the genetic marker PT1 in Syngen's PICmarqÔ program. PICmarqÔ is the brand name associated with the DNA marker technology used in genetic improvement by PIC International, a Sygen company. PT1 is a gene test that assists with the identification of pigs whose offspring use less feed, grow leaner and produce less waste output. Read more about the discovery. 08/26/2002
  • Antibiotic resistance is an increasing health concern, and researchers say monitoring antibiotic resistance and improving ways to prevent the emergence and spread of bacteria resistance are imperative. Read more in an adaptation of a conference proceedings and the executive summary of Iowa Concentrated Feedlot Operations Study, 2002 in Water Watch Newsletter. 08/26/2002
  • ICN newsletter cites IPIC ICN program. The Iowa Communications Network monthly newsletter for August features a recent IPIC ICN program, "Revenue Insurance for Pork Producers." You can read the article to learn more about the program. Approximately 140 people attended the program at the 19 sites throughout Iowa. 08/21/2002

July 2002:

  • New Irish pig tracking system. The National Pig Identification and Tracing System (NPITS) provides for identification of the country's 1,100 pig herds. It also provides for the recording by means of a centrally managed database of all slaughter, import, export or inter-farm movements of pigs into or out of these herds. Similar programs for cattle and sheep are already in place there. Read more about this program. 07/29/2002
  • Pork care handbook on NPB Web site. Ethical responsibilities are the focus of this 41-page publication in pdf format. The check-off funded project includes the pork
    producer code of practice. 07/29/2002
  • More than 160 people helped increase the Lauren L. Christian Endowment Fund at Iowa State University during an annual event July 9. They took part in at least one segment of the 2002 Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open held at Veenker Memorial course in Ames. The open included a golf tournament, social awards program, auction and dinner. The 2003 event will be held July 8. See photos from the day's
    events    , a listing of winners and more. 07/16/2002
  • ISU ag economist John Lawrence says the latest USDA Hogs and Pigs Report shows actual slaughter during the four weeks of June was 6.1 percent higher than the same period a year ago, 1 percent more hogs than the report would have predicted. Hitting slaughter capacity in the fourth quarter is a definite possibility unless producers plan ahead and schedule delivery times with packers. Read more in Lawrence's July issue of Iowa Farm Outlook (pdf). 07/08/2002
  • Interested in learning more about Iowa's new "master matrix" to be used in siting future confinement facilities? Check out the new area of the Iowa Manure Management Action Group's Web site. 07/02/2002

June 2002:

  • Low market prices got you down? ISU Extension livestock economist John Lawrence says one option is to reduce slaughter weight, although a broad participation rate is necessary for lower weights to help increase prices. Read his article "Adjusting Market Weights in a Down Market" (pdf file) for more information. To calculate your own numbers, use this Excel spreadsheet. 06/04/2002
  • Check out these factors affecting 2002 hog prices. This PowerPoint presentation by John Lawrence and Gary May from ISU Extension Economics will be updated as circumstances change. 06/04/2002
  • Interim report on scientific basis of AFO emissions now available. The National Academy of Sciences has published an interim report, “The Scientific Basis for Estimating Emissions from Animal Feeding Operations: Interim Report” (2002). The Clean Air Act requires that the EPA establish new water quality rules by the end of the year. The entire document (70 pp.) is available on the Web site of the National Academy Press. 06/10/2002
  • Iowa pork producers now have insurance options. IPIC will sponsor an Iowa Communications Network program to inform producers and others associated with the pork industry about new insurance programs available to the state's producers. There are 19 sites around Iowa including the origination site on the ISU campus. Cost is $10 per person, payable at the door. Read a news release about the program. 06/03/2002
  • Farmland Industries has filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. bankruptcy code. President and CEO Bob Terry said the company will continue business operations, including buying hogs from its producer-owners and supplying Farmland Foods retail and foodservice customers with high-quality, wholesome meat products. The news comes amid strong efforts by Smithfield Foods, Inc. to acquire Farmland's pork and beef processing operations. 06/03/2002

May 2002:

  • Australia plans staged foot and mouth disease outbreak for early September. Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia officials confirm the event to be held September 8-13 in order to test procedures and look for additional areas of improvement. Read a news article from the Melbourne, Australia newspaper, The Age. 05/23/2002
  • The results are in. A three-year study funded by the Minnesota Pork Producers Association on finding ways to address problems associated with odor, noxious gases and greenhouse gases produced by deep-pitted, curtain-style finishing barns is complete. The authors developed an Excel spreadsheet to assess the cost effectiveness of several technologies, but emphasize that individual producers need to weigh all the costs and benefits when deciding on a course of action for their own operations. Read the 55-page document (pdf format) on the MPPA Web site. 05/22/2002
  • Farm bill payments online. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman announced May 21 that producers from Jasper County in Iowa are among those from 21 counties nationwide participating in a pilot program to provide farm bill payments electronically. Veneman said the initial program will provide LDPs (loan deficiency payments) via the Internet. The idea is to decrease the amount of time producers must spend in USDA offices. Read a news release about this pilot program. 05/22/2002
  • The USDA has a farm bill Web site designed as a collective effort by all USDA agencies to explain the new farm bill provisions and how they affect producers. This site was launched May 14, one day after President Bush signed the bill into law. Take a look at the site, which includes links to news releases, a summary report, streaming audio and frequently asked questions. 05/16/2002
  • ISU hosts nation's only swine ultrasound training program. Participants from 10 states and one Canadian province will attend the only swine ultrasound certification conference in the U.S. next week. IPIC's Tom Baas coordinates the annual conference for certification sponsored by the National Swine Improvement Federation. Read about the conference. 05/16/2002
  • The Farm Bill is on its way to President Bush's desk for his signature after passing the U.S. Senate Wed. night on a 64-35 vote, with one person not voting. Iowa senators recorded a split decision with Tom Harkin voting for it and Charles Grassley against. Senators from 10 other states also cancelled each other's votes with one in each state voting for the bill and the other against. You can see how all senators voted on the U.S. Senate Web site. 05/10/2002
  • The Federal Register has published a proposed rule on indemnity as it relates to an event of an episode of Foot and Mouth Disease or other foreign animal disease. The public may comment on this proposed rule and recommend changes to improve the proposal, with a deadline of July 1, 2002. Read the proposed rule (pdf). The directions for submitting comments and suggestions are in the third paragraph of the document, beginning with the word, "Addresses." 05/08/2002
  • Canadian researchers find decreasing phosphorus levels in soil where swine manure is applied, probably because phytase was included in the hog diet. Read the article about the findings from the University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture's Department of Soil Science. 05/02/2002

April 2002:

  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed bringing additional animal feeding operations (AFOs) under regulation and requiring implementation of nutrient management plans (NMPs) by all regulated AFOs. A decision is expected by December 2002. USDA's Economic Research Service estimated the potential national/regional impacts of the proposed NMPs on all regulated AFOs. Read this impact report (pdf). 04/17/2002
  • Minnesota farm tests positive for pseudorabies. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health is testing all herds within a six-mile radius of the infected herd, and neighboring pork producers were asked to vaccinate their herds. The pigs came from a breeding operation in Lyon County, Iowa, where sows have tested negative for the virus several times. Read a news release about this infection. 04/17/2002
  • The United States Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is seeking applications from U.S. companies interested in receiving matching funds to promote branded U.S. meat products in international markets. For this application, eligible companies must have 500 or fewer employees, or be a producer cooperative or association. Applications received by June 15, 2002 have priority. 04/02/2002
  • New centre and initiative are part of England's plan for
    sustainable agriculture    . Read a news release about the plan, established by the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food this past August. A link to the plan itself is available here.     04/02/2002

March 2002:

  • A 12-member bipartisan state group of representatives has developed an amendment to senate file 2293. The original bill was passed out of committee prior to the first funnel day in Feb. to allow further work on the language and content. Read the original bill. Read a summary of the amendment that will be attached to SF 2293. 03/29/2002
  • Marketing pays, according to ISUE swine specialist Dave Stender. He works with northwest Iowa groups interested in entering a variety of specialty markets. Read this article on the Iowa Farmer Today Web site about one such group, Northwest Iowa Meat and Produce Co-op. 03/25/2002
  • World Pork Expo site is up and running. Check out the agenda for this year's program, "Hurray for the Red, White and Blue" to be held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds June 6-8. 03/25/2002
  • Voluntary recall of feed from Minnesota plant under way. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are working with a Chaska, MN. firm on its voluntary recall of several mineral feed supplements. Quali Tech, Inc. announced the recall Friday because routine surveillance testing of animal feeds conducted by Irish authorities detected dioxin levels in feed imported from the United Kingdom. The feed was traced back to Quali Tech, Inc. The mineral pre-mixes in question were distributed to customers in Minnesota and other states, as well as to Europe, Central and South America, and southeast Asia. Read news releases from the MDA and the Minnesota Department of Health. 03/18/2002
  • No FMD in Kansas. Tests were negative at the USDA's Foreign Animal Disease Laboratory at Plum Island this week for suspected foot and mouth disease in some Kansas cattle. The scare earlier this week caused market fluctuation, but the results have helped calm uneasiness. The U.S. has not had a case of FMD since 1929. Read the news release from USDA. 03/15/2002
  • Odor From Feedlots Setback Estimation Tool (OFFSET), developed by University of Minnesota researchers, helps answer basic questions on odor impacts from livestock and poultry facilities. This simple tool is the result of four years of extensive data collection and field testing in Minnesota and is designed to estimate average odor impacts from a variety of animal facilities and manure storages. Read about this tool. Try out the calculator to see how your operation fares. 03/14/2002
  • Iowa lawmakers want to prohibit meatpacker ownership of livestock. A bill was unanimously approved that clarifies the intent and closes a loophole in the Iowa law that prohibits meatpacker ownership of livestock. Read the bill and current changes. 03/11/2002
  • Early warning system for swine diseases is possible and will be funded partly through pork checkoff investments. For trade purposes, Dr. Beth Lautner of the National Pork Board said that an early warning system for swine diseases is important because the United States is considered one big herd. Read a news release about this system. 03/11/2002
  • 2002 Iowa Manure Applicator Certification Programs are complete. See evaluation results from the confinement site and commercial applicator certification sessions for 2002 and 2001 on the Web site of the Iowa Manure Management Action Group (IMMAG). 03/11/2002

February 2002:

  • Check out the new Animal Agriculture and Air Quality Web site from Iowa State University. You'll find the most current and accurate information on all aspects of air quality as it relates to animal agriculture. 02/08/200

January 2002:

  • All legal challenges to the Pork Checkoff settlement have ended. The National Pork Producers Council announced Jan. 30 that the Campaign for Family Farms asked the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan to dismiss its claim that USDA Secretary Ann Veneman's decision a year ago to continue the pork checkoff program was "arbitrary and capricious." Although this ends challenges to the settlement, constitutional challenges to commodity checkoff programs continue. Read the NPPC news release. 01/31/2002
  • ISU Extension ag engineers Jeff Lorimor and Brad Woerner have prepared a literature review of alternative technologies for Manure Treatment from Open Feedlots. Read the introduction and the review. Both are posted on the Web site of the Iowa Manure Management Action Group at ISU. 01/29/2002
  • Iowa veterinarian John Schiltz announces the 2002 health requirements for exhibiting livestock, poultry and birds at state, district and county 4-H/FFA fairs. 01/14/2002
    2002 regulations for state and district fairs
    2002 regulations for county 4-H/FFA fairs

 

Page last updated: 8/25/04

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