Latest News From Hogs - General

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Hours of Services Waivers Extended for Livestock Haulers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration approved an extension of the exemption from hours-of-service (HOS) requirements for livestock haulers through the end of November.

China's Consumer Demand for Pork Expected to Exceed Domestic Production in 2022
China's Consumer Demand for Pork Expected to Exceed Domestic Production in 2022

China's pork production is expected to decline 14% in 2022, while pork imports are expected to climb 5.1 MT with consumer demand exceeding domestic production, according to a USDA attaché report released last week.

USMEF Audio: Sustainability of Growing Importance to International Customers
USMEF Audio: Sustainability of Growing Importance to International Customers

Cheyenne McEndaffer, USMEF director of export services, explains that sustainability is an issue of growing importance to international customers of U.S. red meat and other key global audiences.

Are Farmers and Ranchers the Best People To Tell Ag’s Story?
Are Farmers and Ranchers the Best People To Tell Ag’s Story?

Who should be telling the story of agriculture? The Shark Farmer says it may not be who you first think.

Worried About Biden’s Tax Plan? Paul Neiffer Has Recommendations
Worried About Biden’s Tax Plan? Paul Neiffer Has Recommendations

President Joe Biden's tax plan has both good and bad news for farmers, says Paul Neiffer, a CPA and principal with CLA and author of the “Farm CPA” blog.

It’s Unlikely the U.S. Will Escape ASF
It’s Unlikely the U.S. Will Escape ASF

While there are lots of reasons to believe ASF in the Dominican Republic is not a sure sign it will penetrate the U.S. industry, still, everyone has become focused on it and how slippery it is to contain.

USMEF Audio: China's COVID-19 Countermeasures Heighten Concerns about Delayed Product Movement
USMEF Audio: China's COVID-19 Countermeasures Heighten Concerns about Delayed Product Movement

Since a late July outbreak of the COVID-19 Delta variant in Nanjing, the Chinese government has imposed strict countermeasures in affected areas in an effort to contain the virus.  

California Launches Team to Provide Aid to Livestock and Domestic Animals During Emergencies
California Launches Team to Provide Aid to Livestock and Domestic Animals During Emergencies

The California Veterinary Emergency Team will be overseen by the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and will support and train a network of government agencies and organizations to aid animals during emergencies.

See the 2021 Farm Journal Field Day Agendas
See the 2021 Farm Journal Field Day Agendas

In 2021, you have the choice to join Farm Journal Field Days in person or online.

Jennifer Shike
The Stock Show “Prize” We Need to Talk More About

An unexpected conversation in the check-out lane spurred editor Jennifer Shike to weigh in on the stock show prize we need to spend more time talking about these days.

Animal Ag Groups Launch Protein PACT
Animal Ag Groups Launch Protein PACT

Twelve groups representing farmers and companies who make a majority of America’s meat, poultry, dairy and animal feed and ingredients, unveiled the Protein PACT for the People, Animals, and Climate of Tomorrow

Tyson Integrates New Animal Welfare Framework
Tyson Integrates New Animal Welfare Framework

Tyson Foods will begin integrating a new animal welfare assessment framework, known as the Five Domains, across its global operations. Adoption of the framework is part of Tyson's commitment to continuous improvement.

Beef, Pork Exports Set New Records In May
Beef, Pork Exports Set New Records In May

Pork export value exceeded $800 million for the first time in May, while beef exports recorded the third consecutive month of value record highs, driven in part by record-large exports to South Korea.

Hannah Thompson-Weeman
Nutrition: The Next Activist Battleground?

With so much conversation around sustainable nutrition and some voices calling for everyone to ditch meat to save the planet, we all need to get more comfortable communicating about nutrition. 

$4 Billion Initiative Will Create A More Resilient U.S. Food System, Vilsack Pledges
$4 Billion Initiative Will Create A More Resilient U.S. Food System, Vilsack Pledges

The dollars tagged for such purposes are part of the Build Back Better program, the Biden administration’s COVID-19 relief plan.

New Product In Battle With Feral Hogs
New Product In Battle With Feral Hogs

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced a new tool in the war against feral hogs with the release of a new hog contraceptive bait entering the market this week.

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JBS USA Suffers Cyberattack

JBS USA announced it has suffered an organized cyberattack that has affected servers supporting its IT systems in North America and Australia.

Greta Thunberg Aims to Change How Food Is Produced
Greta Thunberg Aims to Change How Food Is Produced

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has set her sights on changing how the world produces and consumes food in order to counteract a trio of threats: carbon emissions, disease outbreaks and animal suffering.  

Hot Dogs are Essential for Summer Cookouts, Survey Says
Hot Dogs are Essential for Summer Cookouts, Survey Says

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, 73% of Americans believe that a cookout is not complete without hot dogs, according to a new survey commissioned by the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council and the Meat Institute.  

When Your Plate Is Too Full: Tips to Delegate and Manage the Workload
When Your Plate Is Too Full: Tips to Delegate and Manage the Workload

Do you ever feel overwhelmed, overloaded, scattered? Generally, pandemic or not, leaders feel at least a little bit this way all the time, explains leadership coach Marlene Eick. She says the question is, is this ok?

Profit Tracker: Cattle Squeeze Continues, Hog Margins Near Orbit
Profit Tracker: Cattle Squeeze Continues, Hog Margins Near Orbit

Cattle prices held steady last week, but packer margins continue climbing in the greatest squeeze on cattlemen in memory without the influence of a specific black swan event. Pork producers are experiencing euphoria.

Tyson Pilots Program to Open Health Centers for Employees
Tyson Pilots Program to Open Health Centers for Employees

Tyson Foods, Inc. is partnering with Marathon Health to pilot seven “Bright Blue” health centers near company production facilities as part of its efforts to boost the overall health and wellness of its workforce.

Jennifer Shike
5 Reasons Why Livestock Show Moms Deserve a Little Extra Love This Mother's Day

When you become a livestock "show mom," rest assured you’re going to experience your fair share of teachable moments. Here are five reasons why show moms deserve a little extra celebration.

Nashville Singer and Pig Farmer Release Anthem for Ag
Nashville Singer and Pig Farmer Release Anthem for Ag

Jesse Heimer set out to produce a song and music video that embodies what stock show families live, breathe and dream. Over time, Heimer's plan grew into an anthem that all of agriculture can appreciate.

March Beef, Pork Exports Hit Record Highs
March Beef, Pork Exports Hit Record Highs

March beef and pork exports each posted the highest monthly value on record. Pork exports and shipments of beef muscle cuts also set new volume records in March.

FAQs on COVID-19 Vaccination with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy
FAQs on COVID-19 Vaccination with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy

“We know rural areas are different from urban areas, people are more spread out, it's not always as easy to travel to one location that's close to everyone to get a vaccine," Dr. Murthy says.

Profit Tracker: Hog Rally Continues, Beef Declines
Profit Tracker: Hog Rally Continues, Beef Declines

The extended rally in lean hog carcass prices continues and farrow-to-finish hog operations are profitable for the 12th consecutive month. Cattle feeders saw prices slip off of recent highs.

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Vilsack Goes on Offense Re: Errant Meat Consumption Reports

Secretary Vilsack flatly denied there is any effort by President Biden to reduce meat consumption to meet proposed cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. "Sometimes in the political world, games get played," he said.

Truth, Lies and Wild Pigs: Missouri Hunter Prosecuted on Presumption of Guilt?
Truth, Lies and Wild Pigs: Missouri Hunter Prosecuted on Presumption of Guilt?

When hunter Michael Bennett bought eight pigs at a sale barn, the wheels began turning on one of the most bizarre feral hog stories on record, and unleashed questions over guilt, innocence, and state power.

When Stress Goes Beyond Normal 
When Stress Goes Beyond Normal 

It started with a broken baler. The farmer panicked. He had recently lost his brother to cancer and his father to old age. Not to mention he had 2,500 acres to farm, 250 beef cows to attend to and his crop just froze. 

Hannah Thompson-Weeman
When Events Return, So Will Protests

While in-person events have a long list of benefits, there is one downside – they allow animal rights activist organizations to attempt to gain attention for their cause by holding “disruptions” and protests.

Toxic Grit: Is Our Greatest Strength Our Greatest Weakness on the Farm?
Toxic Grit: Is Our Greatest Strength Our Greatest Weakness on the Farm?

“Suck it up buttercup.” This familiar phrase is one many farmers and ranchers learn early in life: be tough, self-reliant and resilient. But experts say that approach doesn't work when dealing with stress.

Land Grab or Climate Solution? President Biden Could Unveil '30 by 30' Plan Details Next Week
Land Grab or Climate Solution? President Biden Could Unveil '30 by 30' Plan Details Next Week

Details of a U.S. land and water related executive order could be unveiled soon. Known as the ’30 by 30’ plan, it would place 30% of U.S. lands and 30% of U.S. waters under federal jurisdiction by 2030.

Profit Tracker: Rallies Boost Cattle, Hog Margins
Profit Tracker: Rallies Boost Cattle, Hog Margins

Cattle and hog feeding operations are in the midst of their most profitable time since before the pandemic began. Cattle margins nearly doubled last week and hog margins were positive for the 10th consecutive week.

Ohio State Fair Will Not Be Open to Public in 2021
Ohio State Fair Will Not Be Open to Public in 2021

The Ohio Expositions Commission announced that the 2021 Ohio State Fair will not be open to the public, and will instead focus on agricultural and educational competitions for exhibitors, their families and guests.

The Final Sale: Support Pours in for Texas Trooper Chad Walker Killed on Duty
The Final Sale: Support Pours in for Texas Trooper Chad Walker Killed on Duty

A livestock sale in Limestone Co., Texas turned into much more than a sale last week. Chad Walker was ambushed on the side of the road. A local hero, the livestock sale turned into an act support for the Walker family

Profit Tracker: Cattle, Hog Profits Trend Higher
Profit Tracker: Cattle, Hog Profits Trend Higher

Cash prices for both cattle and hogs advanced last week leaving feeding margins for both species solidly in the black. Hog margins were positive for the eighth consecutive week and cattle climbed out of the red.

Bouncing Back from Failure
Bouncing Back from Failure

Failure is a part of life, but how we bounce back from it determines how successful we will become.

Profit Tracker: Cattle in the Red, Hog Rally Continues
Profit Tracker: Cattle in the Red, Hog Rally Continues

Profit margins for cattle and hogs continue trending in opposite directions as feedyard closeouts slipped below breakeven and hog margins saw another boost from higher prices.

Hannah Thompson-Weeman
Stand Up For Animal Ag: Policies Loom That Could Impact Your Farm

Attempting to use the legislative process to make things more difficult for animal agriculture is far from a new tactic for animal rights activist organizations, but things seem to be heating up in this area. 

Profit Tracker: Cattle Margins Shrink, Hogs Gain
Profit Tracker: Cattle Margins Shrink, Hogs Gain

Market hogs sold last week earned an average profit margins nearly four times that of fed steers. That’s mainly due to a rally that has added more than $20 per cwt. to lean hog carcass prices over the past month.

The Surprising Truth: 4 Things You May Not Know About Reaching Goals
The Surprising Truth: 4 Things You May Not Know About Reaching Goals

Why don't we finish goals? Jon Acuff, best-selling author and motivational speaker, says we often focus on the wrong thing when we talk about our goals. Here's what he says it takes to finish the goals that matter.

Merck to Help Produce COVID-19 Vaccine, Won’t Impact Livestock Sector
Merck to Help Produce COVID-19 Vaccine, Won’t Impact Livestock Sector

Merck will start manufacturing the COVID-19 vaccine in its human manufacturing facilities later this month.

Bacon Maintained Star Status During the Pandemic
Bacon Maintained Star Status During the Pandemic

Demand for protein of all kinds soared, but bacon outpaced it all.

Beef, Pork Exports Begin 2021 Lower
Beef, Pork Exports Begin 2021 Lower

U.S. beef and pork exports began 2021 lower than year-ago, yet the USMEF remains optimistic as the retail meat demand remains strong and the expectation is that foodservice will rebound in more regions.

Profit Tracker: Cattle Margins Crumble, Hog Margins Solid
Profit Tracker: Cattle Margins Crumble, Hog Margins Solid

Cattle and hog finishing margins were headed in opposite directions last week, with lean hog prices enjoying a three-week rally while cattle prices were stuck in neutral for a second week.

Pilgrim’s Pride Agrees To Price-Fixing Fine
Pilgrim’s Pride Agrees To Price-Fixing Fine

Pilgrim's Pride, the nation's second-largest poultry processor, entered a guilty plea to federal charges of price-fixing and bid-rigging, the Department of Justice said on Tuesday.

Jennifer Shike
5 Hard Lessons Learned from a Year of Virtual FFA

A virtual FFA community can only fill the gap so far. I am grateful FFA has found solutions during the pandemic, but I believe the things FFA members have missed drive home the reasons why FFA is so important today.

Profit Tracker: Cattle Steady, Hog Margins Solid
Profit Tracker: Cattle Steady, Hog Margins Solid

Cattle feeding margins were little changed from the previous week with modest profits. Hog feeding margins were boosted for a third week with another advance in lean carcass prices.

Possibility of Transmission of COVID-19 Via Food Packaging Remains Low, Agencies Underscore
Possibility of Transmission of COVID-19 Via Food Packaging Remains Low, Agencies Underscore

The USDA and FDA have sent out a reminder to trust current science and guidelines from official sources.