Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus | Canada has a plan to contain PED if it arrives, but clean trucks from the U.S. are key
Livestock haulers that bring cattle into Canada and take pigs back to the United States are causing concerns about potential spread of a deadly pig virus. Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PED), a highly infectious illness, has caused major piglet losses in 20 U.S. states. It has not been found in Canada, and those in the […] Read moreTag Archives hogs — page 7
Dirty trucks weak link in virus chain
Now: Hog prices surge and wane, but remain low; Then: Hog prices may have peaked
NOW: Farmers might not feel they are living in a golden era when they see those sorts of headlines. Somehow, the record highs don’t seem to have the impact that a farmer might hope for. It’s a result of the difference between nominal and real prices, which disguises the brutal long-term reality of agricultural production, […] Read more
Hog disease increases in North Carolina
Hog disease increases in North Carolina
(Reuters) — The onset of cooler fall temperatures has increased the spread of a virus lethal to young pigs in North Carolina, a state agriculture official said. Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) has spread to 250 farms since June, said Tom Ray, North Carolina’s director of livestock health. While the disease continues to spread, Ray […] Read more
Profits seen as hog prices rise, feed dips
Return of $30 to $50 per hog | Hog prices may decline this fall, but corn is also expected to drop
Severe stress in the Canadian hog business is easing as profits replace losses, but many farmers still walk a knife’s edge. If today’s trends continue, most producers should be on the road to recovery, but everything depends on factors beyond farmer control. “After five years of ‘next year will be better,’ we’ve gotten a little […] Read more
Full farrowing crates key to producer’s success
Forget pigs per sow philosophy | Focusing on numbers leads to poor barn management and reduced meat quality, says expert
John Carr says the holy grail of pig production often contains poison wine. “Pigs per sow per year actually drives down profit,” the international hog production and profitability expert told the Manitoba Swine Seminar. “The only thing that is truthful on a farm is the money the slaughterhouse pays you.” Carr said the industry’s obsession […] Read more
Falling corn prices lift hog producers’ spirits
Stable U.S. sow herd surprises market | North American pork exporters could profit from European open housing rules
Falling corn prices today and a weak corn price outlook have saved pork producers’ bacon from what could have been a brutal New Year’s setback. The most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Hogs and Pigs report revealed that the U.S. sow herd isn’t shrinking, which would normally be expected to lower hog prices. However, the […] Read more
Weanling prices rebound as feed price dips
Anyone expecting to find depressed farmers and a morose outlook at Manitoba Hog and Poultry Days would have been surprised. The show wasn’t deserted and lots of farmers wandered the aisles of the trade show, looking to spend money on their recently money-losing operations. “If there’s an economic benefit at the end of the day, […] Read more
Producer reaction mixed to hog loan plan
NIVERVILLE, Man. — A hog industry stabilization plan proposed for Manitoba has left producers feeling either abandoned or relieved. The difference in reaction depended on what they do in the industry. “It sounds like a stabilization thing, which makes sense if they can cover the fall and winter,” said farrow-to-finish producer Jerrold Siemens of Morris. […] Read more
Hog industry seeks assistance
Farms at risk | Increasing feed costs, import restrictions and a surging loonie cripple hog production
Canada’s hog industry, hit by a 60 percent increase in feed costs, import restrictions into the United States and a strong Canadian dollar, is appealing for government help. Soon. “We already have lost 30,000 sows from the herd in Manitoba and if this isn’t reversed, the cobwebs will be rolling into barns with the spiders,” […] Read more
‘Golden age of profitabilty’ ahead?
INDUSTRY WOES | Economic crises at two of the Prairies’ largest hog companies are the latest events in a tumultuous 15 years for the industry. In this second installment of a two-part special series, Karen Briere and Ed White examine the root causes and the industry’s future.
Economic crises at two of the Prairies’ largest hog companies are the latest events in a tumultuous 15 years for the industry. In this second installment of a two-part special series, Karen Briere and Ed White examine the root causes and the industry’s future. Livestock producers are on the verge of what could be a […] Read more
