NEWS ARCHIVES

2006: | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |

December 2006:

• An Iowa State-based Web site is a great resource for Iowa livestock producers interested in finding a service provider for their operation. The Iowa Manure Management Action Group now has lists of or links to manure plans writers, engineering consultants and commercial manure applicators. It also has service provider links for grain producers, including crop consultants, technical service providers to help with CNMPs, and soil and manure analysis laboratories. Learn more about what's on the site. Go directly to the lists. 12/22/06

• Leading Russian integrated meat producer Cherkizovo Group OJSC moves forward on new pig farm construction. Board chairman Igor Babaev met with the governor of the Tambov Region about the farm, located in the Gavrilovsky District. Plans call for the farm to eventually produce 25,000 metric tons of meat annually. Read more in an article on the Cherkizovo Web site. 12/13/06

• Do you plan to attend the Iowa Pork Congress next month? Do you like to save money? Do you want to be eligible to win prizes? If you answered yes to these questions, consider registering now for IPC. Cost is just $4 per person, and a prize winning name from online and mail registrants will be drawn every Friday from now through Jan. 19. Dike pork producer Jerry Schipper is the first winner, of $250 in ethanol gift certificates from the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. Register online through a link on the IPC Web site. 12/05/06

• Presentations from the National Pork Board conference, "Distillers Grains: Implications for the U.S. Pork Industry," held Nov. 20 are now available to the public. Links to these materials and the program agenda are found on the NPB Web site. 12/05/2006

• The Chinese Association of Iowa invites entries for contests to help recognize three celebrations: the association's 20th birthday, the state of Iowa's 160th birthday and the Year of the Pig on the Chinese lunar calendar. Entry deadline for the "Chinese Association of Iowa Logo and Flag Contest" is Jan. 2, 2007. Entry deadline for both the Iowa 160th birthday t-shirt design contest and 2007 year of the pig poster contest is Dec. 12, 2006. Cash prizes will be awarded and winning entries will be exhibited in the Des Moines area. Learn more about these contests on the Chinese Association of Iowa web site. 12/05/2006

November 2006:

• National Pork Board is looking for people to fill five three-year terms on its board of directors. Two of the spots will be filled by new people. The other three are held by folks currently eligible for reelection, including Iowan Tim Bierman. Application deadline is Dec. 1. The Pork Checkoff Nominating Committee will recommend candidates to the Pork Act Delegate Body at the annual meeting in early March. The delegate body will elect eight producers to submit to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns. He will appoint five producers to serve the terms. Read more about the people and the process on the NBP Web site. 11/22/2006

• Pacific Island pigs are helping researchers learn how domesticated pigs first traveled from southeast Asia to other countries. On Vanuatu, perhaps more recognized as a "Survivor" location, scientists who studied mitochondrial  DNA from two kinds of sacred pigs say that one of the types matched that of breeds domesticated in southeast Asia over 3000 years ago. Read more in a story on the Australian Broadcasting Company Web site. 11/16/2006

• U.S. imports and exports set records for FY 2006. U.S. officials announced that exports hit a record $68.7 billion in FY06, nearly 10 percent higher than the FY05 then-record high of $62.5 billion. However, U.S. ag imports for FY06 also ended at a record high of of $64 billion, up nearly 11 percent over FY05. Read the report in its entirety on the USDA-ERS Web site. 11/16/2006

October 2006:

• MarketMaker, an interactive mapping system that helps provide links in the production chain, is now available to Iowa residents. Census, business and demographic data are in searchable format. Iowa MarketMaker is offered at no charge by the ISU Extension Value-added Agriculture Program. 10/04/2006
• Following a weeklong trip to Denmark in 2005, IPIC and ISU Extension swine field specialists collaborated to write four articles about their findings. The articles, originally published in the Iowa Pork Producer magazine, are now available here. Choose from Lessons to be Learned, Welfare and Producer Adaptations, Antibiotics prohibited as growth promoter, and Achieving productivity. 10/04/2006

September 2006

• U.S. hog breeding herd efficiency continues to improve. The latest breeding herd structure report from USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) for 2005 numbers shows the number of pigs per breeding animal per year increased from 17.24 pigs to 17.77 pigs in 2003, an increase of 0.53 pigs or 3 percent. And the number of pigs per breeding animal per year increased from 15.62 in 2003 to 16.01 in 2005, an increase of 0.39 pigs or 2 percent. Read the rest of the report on the NASS Web site. 09/26/2006
• Smithfield Foods is buying Premium Standard Farms for $810 million. Smithfield says all current PSF production contracts will be honored and PSF facilities will remain open. Regulatory approvals, as well as those of current Premium Standard stockholders, are necessary for this deal to be complete. 09/18/2006
• Denmark economic officials expect this to be a record-setting year for exports from that country. Increasing demand for pork is one of the primary reasons for the growth, which is estimated to be 7 percent more than last year. Read an article on the Copenhagen Post Web site. 09/13/2006
• A new report on "Berkshire Production and Marketing" is now available. ISU Extension swine field specialist Larry McMullen compiled the information and created the report as part of a project funded by the Pork Niche Market Working Group. You can download the report from the PNMWG Web site. 09/13/2006
• A new Canadian government program will offer financial impetus to help create and implement traceability systems in that country's livestock industry. The Canadian Integrated Traceability Program (CITP) will provide up to 50% funding (maximum of $150,000 each) for projects aimed at integrating and implementing traceability throughout the nation. The CITP Web site has more details and links to application forms. 09/07/2006
• Photos and information from the 2006 Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open are online. View candid shots from the golf tournament and social time in the evening, and see who went home with golf prizes and auction items. The ISU Animal Science department Web site hosts this site. 09/05/2006

August 2006

• Farrow to finish operations in Iowa continue to be profitable. In fact, ISU extension livestock economist John Lawrence says that with the estimated profit of $25.87/head in July, f-t-f producers have enjoyed 30 consecutive months of profitability that started in early 2004. You can view the estimated returns for 2006, 2005 and 2004 on his Web site. 08/28/2006
• ISU hoop structures Web site has new look. Sporting a facelift and lots of information, especially in the swine area, this site draws together research findings, scientific papers and latest news on using hoop buildings in livestock production. You can read about the hoop structures research team and more here. 08/24/2006
• The Pork Patrol will be on duty at five Iowa State and three University of Iowa home football games. The patrol will cruise the stadium parking lots prior to games to visit with tailgaters about pork and reward those who are cooking pork and cite those who aren’t. College football season starts in less than a month. 08/15/2006
• British pig industry numbers continue to improve. Figures from June 2006 show a 1% increase in the breeding herd compared to June 2005, the first increase in four years. Total pig numbers for the UK also rose to just under 5 million, up 1.8% in the past year. British Pig Executive chairman Stewart Houston said this latest census shows the productivity is up. He says it's encouraging that farmers appear to be replacing breeding stock rather than selling it off. 08/24/2006

July 2006

• The Iowa Manure Management Action Group at Iowa State has created a monthly fact sheet series to provide additional and current information about practices, techniques, etc. Angie Rieck-Hinz says the Manure Management Series will address a variety of manure management issues. Future topics will include land application, winter manure application and manure stockpiling. The fact sheets are available on the IMMAG Web site, beginning with the introductory issue this month. 07/31/06
• ISU animal science department chair Maynard Hogberg was installed as president of the American Society of Animal Science during the 2006 joint annual meeting of the ASAS and American Dairy Science Association earlier this month.Also, Steven Lonergan is now on the ASAS Board of Directors and Don Beitz on ADSA Board of Directors. Joe Sebranek was honored as an ASAS Fellow and Ron Horst, USDA-ARS collaborating professor, was honored as an ADSA Fellow. 07/25/2006
• Red meat and beef production numbers were up for the month of June, but pork production was down from the same period a year ago. In total, red meat production was up 4 percent and beef production up 9 percent, while pork fell 3 percent. The entire "livestock slaughter" report is available on the USDA-NASS Web site. 07/25/2006
• ith a new search engine and browse structure, the Animal Welfare Information Center Web site is now easier to navigate The AWIC was established by Congress in 1985 to provide information for improved animal care and use in research, testing, teaching, and exhibition. The site provides access to publications, news articles, and regulatory information. 07/24/2006
• Alternative breeding and gestation management course will be offered by University of Minnesota. Producers who want to learn more about production schedules, gilt rearing and introduction, conception rates, feeding for body condition scores, and stockmanship are invited to attend. Course is set for July 31-Aug. 1, at the West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, MN. Read more about this course, including cost and deadline on the Minnesota Pork Board Web site. 07/12/2006
• Leadership changes for two companies. Tyson's chief marketing officer and Premium Standard Farms' president and chief operating officer have resigned. Tyson's Bob Corscadden will be gone July 20 and PSF's Robert W. Manly has already left. Responsibilities for each position have been reassigned to existing administrative staff in the respective companies. You can read the company releases about the resignations: Tyson and Premium Standard Farms. 07/12/2006
• USDA-ARS researchers develop feed additives that provide better nutrition and less potential pollution. The additives, phytase enzymes, are designed for use in poultry and swine diets. Scientists Ed Mullaney and Jaffor Ullah originally characterized the natural enzyme phytase twenty years ago, and now they've made it even better. An article in the July edition of Agricultural research magazine has more information. 07/18/2006
• The Environmental Protection Agency is hosting an informational meeting on proposed CAFO regulation revisions in Ames on July 25. The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to noon in the Scheman Building at Iowa State University. EPA proposes to revise National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting requirements. Public comments are encouraged and due by Aug. 14, 2006. 07/18/2006

June 2006

• Smithfield CEO to step down Aug. 31. After 39 years with the company founded by his grandfather, Joseph W. Luter III will retire as chief executive officer. He will continue as chairman. Read more about the world's largest pork processor and hog producer in his biography. 06/21/2006
• Illinois Attorney General provides swine odor reduction grant to UICU researchers. Michael Ellis leads the project team that will, in part, develop improved designs for emission reduction that could be incorporated into new facilities. The $251,000 grant will be used to identify participating farms, install equipment and test appropriate emission reduction technologies. The efforts will continue work started on previously identified Discovery Farms. 06/21/2006
• ISU's Max Rothschild works to make pigs better. As part of a national collaboration that received a $10 million federal grant to map pig genes earlier this year, he continues to build upon years of research into finding and exploiting positive gene variations in pigs. With more people eating meat, finding ways to produce it more efficiently is big business. 05/31/2006

May 2006

• ISU Extension is offering a RUSLE2 and P-index workshop for manure plan writers. Service providers will learn about a variety of topics including where to find the necessary software, how to determine critical field areas, how to determine erosion rates using RUSLE2 and how to meet soil sampling requirements for manure management plans. Producers also are welcome to attend. Read more about the workshop set for June 6 in Indianola. 05/16/2006
• Registration for P.O.R.K. Academy is under way. This one-day event (Producers Opportunity for Revenue and Knowledge) sponsored annually by National Pork Board is comprised of  a series of in-depth seminars specially designed for pork producers. It's set for June 6 in Des Moines. Registration is $125 prior to that date, and $150 per person at the door. Download the registration brochure. pdf
• USDA will conduct fourth national U.S. swine health study this summer. From July 1 through Aug. 15, USDA representatives will visit hog producers to begin the first phase of Swine 2006 by collecting data from producers in 17 states, including Iowa, who account for 94% of the nation's pork production. Phase I runs from July 1 thorugh August 15. 05/31/2006
• New Canadian tattoo numbering system on target. The Canadian Pork Council says everything appears to be moving smoothly in that country's progress toward implementing a new tattoo numbering system on June 1. In order to accommodate the new multispecies traceability system, the provincial pork organizations are now allocating new slap tattoo numbers unique to each location which houses hogs. Registration for all Canadian premises that house live swine is expected to be completed by the end of this summer. 05/18/2006

April 2006

• Iowa and Hormel reach agreement on production-related issues. During the agreement's term of 10 years, Hormel's contract producers in Iowa will be protected with a "bill of rights" and the state will not pursue enforcement of its ban on packer involvement in swine production in the state. The Iowa Attorney General office's news release has more information, including links to the lawsuit and the consent decree. 04/12/2006
• Leadership changes at IDALS and Iowa gricultural Statistics Service. Dave Schmitt is acting Iowa state veterinarian following former state vet John Schiltz' decision to return to field work. And, after 37 years of public service, the director of Iowa Agricultural Statistics Service, Jim Sands, has retired. His replacement is Joseph Prusacki, chief of the National Agricultural Statistics Service Crops Branch in Washington D.C.
• Japanese TV viewers soon will see the real thing when it comes to American pork production. U.S. Meat Export Federation and the Pork Checkoff cooperated on the videotaping of everything from pigs on the farm to restaurants and grocery stores, all based in Iowa. Segments will air on Japan's equivalent of the Food Network this spring and summer. Read more in the April 6 issue of Pork Leader. 04/12/2006

March 2006

• Farm Bill comments summary is now available on the USDA Web site. Ag. Secretary Mike Johanns says 52 listening sessions were held in 48 states late last year. More than 4,000 comments were received from session attendees, through the mail or online. Those comments have been summarized by topic into 41 papers. Read any of the papers individually on the USDA Web site. 03/30/2006
• USDA offers toll-free number for producers to check sales transactions. Producers who want to know about specific transactions will need to leave a voice message with certain information and Agricultural Marketing Service staff will return the call within either 24 hours or the next business day. Read the USDA news release. 03/01/2006
• Producers learning about new animal care component of Canadian Quality Assurance program. Alberta Quality Pork expects its first group of producers to begin the registration process this summer. In 2005 the company started training auditors who will do the farm assessments. Read more about AQP's experience with this program on the FarmScape.ca Web site. 03/21/2006
• Illinois researchers convert manure to crude oil.  University of Illinois ag engineering researchers are going full-speed ahead with plans for a pilot plant that will determine efficiency of converting swine manure to crude oil. Team leader Yuanhui Zhang says the technology works, especially now that it uses a continuous reactor. The pilot plant will be constructed in cooperation with Worldwide BioEnergy. Read more in a news release from the University of Ilinois. 03/02/2006

February 2006

• The British Pig Executive challenges British producers to increase some statistics in their operations. The BPEX Director of Pig Industry Development Mark Wilson wants producers to add one pig born alive per litter and add two pigs sold per sow per year. He says that even good producers can do better. Read a news release on the BPEX Web site. 02/03/2006
• Which Iowa counties will use the Master Matrix in 2006? A state map that illustrates which counties have adopted the construction evaluation resolution for 2006 is on the Iowa DNR Web site. The deadline for counties to pass the resolution for use this year was Jan. 31, 2006. The map is expected to be finalized after Feb. 3, 2006. See the map. 02/03/2006
• Producers and others interested in learning more about the science of air quality are encouraged to attend "Air Quality Solutions for Swine Producers: Examining the Options" at either Lewis (March 7) or Webster City (March 8.) Read the news release for more information. 02/21/2006
• Pigs eventually could help "cure" diabetes. A University of Minnesota research team has reversed diabetes in monkeys by using transplanted cell clusters from pigs, and the next step is to perfect an anti-rejection drug regiment for use in humans. Lead researcher Bernard Hering says they hope to start human trials by 2009. Read an article on the BBC News Web site. 02/20/2006

January 2006

• Premium Standard Farms to expand its Milan, Missouri plant. Improvements will increase the processing level by 35 percent, from 7400 per day to 10,000. Read more in this release. 01/05/2006

 

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