While I assume a large majority of the readers of this blog are US producers in the upper Midwest, I know of several frequent readers located in other countries of the world. For many of the readers of this blog, … Continue reading
This week I had the unpleasant experience (once again) of talking with a contract grower who was faced with a bill for pig death loss due to a ventilation failure. It’s not a lot of fun talking thru the sequence … Continue reading
When I ended my 2 year Army enlistment and began graduate school 38 years ago swine nutritionists were just beginning to talk about lysine as a critical nutrient in swine diets as opposed to crude protein. The 1974 version of … Continue reading
On Wednesday I was on the program at the Passion For Pigs meeting in Columbia, Missouri. Dr Ron Plain from the University of Missouri was the last speaker of the day. We are all familiar with Ron and his knowledge … Continue reading
In the past few months I’ve been asked repeatedly to comment further on my prediction that barrow and gilt slaughter weights will increase to 290 pounds live weight by the year 2022. This prediction is based on a review of … Continue reading
Last week I attended EuroTier in Hannover, Germany. This multi-species trade show hosts almost 160,000 visitors on alternate years. There were 2 exhibit halls dedicated to swine, with additional halls hosting feed ingredients, etc. plus a large number of exhibit … Continue reading
This afternoon I fly to Hannover, Germany. Eurotier, the world’s largest livestock trade show, is held there on alternate years. Early attendance estimates are 160,000 for the 3 day show next week. I’ve never attended but I’ve seen the map … Continue reading
Optimism is returning to the hog market. For the week ending September 28, 2012 the average spot market price as quoted by USDA for weaned pigs was $15.14 per pig delivered. This week’s average price was $43.76 per pig delivered. … Continue reading
We received our first taste of winter this week with snow in eastern South Dakota, southwest Minnesota, northwest Iowa and northeast Nebraska. In my farm visits the past few weeks I’ve been working with producers, contract growers and production system … Continue reading
This week I spent some time on an upcoming presentation I’m doing in Germany next month on how do we produce the pig of the future. For 45 minutes I get to use my crystal ball and think about the … Continue reading