I spent 2 days this week working with producers who purchase feed ingredients from a regional supplier. At all of the sites, I was once again shocked by the lack of knowledge regarding the ventilation system. By lack of knowledge, … Continue reading
I have been making the circuit of state pork shows and meetings in the past month (IA, MN, VA and OH so far). In visiting with feed company and other allied industry representatives, I am getting many reports of empty … Continue reading
On Wednesday, February 4, the USDA released the 2007 Census of Agriculture (http://www.agcensus.usda.gov). This census gives us a very detailed look at the structure of America’s production agriculture base. Included in the census are details regarding on-farm inventories on December … Continue reading
This past week I had an email asking for my thoughts on the future usage of DDGS in swine diets. This person has quite a few contacts in the grain and ethanol industry. The reason for his email was that … Continue reading
Even with extreme low temperatures this past week, movement of slaughter weight pigs to slaughter plants continued. One obvious question, what about transit losses due to cold weather? I heard from a packer buyer in the upper midwest who reported … Continue reading
With the air temperature at -18F this morning, even I will admit it is cold out there. This past week I have had several calls and conversations with pig owners and growers on what can be done to tighten up … Continue reading
On Tuesday afternoon, the USDA released the December 1 Hogs and Pigs report. While most look to the report for guidance on market price implications, I find the reports fascinating for their tales of the structure an location of … Continue reading