As U.S. pork producers are continuing to advance and improve their operational efficiencies and production practices, the proof is right there in the latest Pork Checkoff-funded Productivity Analysis Report.
Director of animal science for the National Pork Board, Dr. Chris Hostetler says the data from Metafarms is guiding the analysis.
?This particular dataset this year represents about 1.4 million breeding females from 540 farms, and it would represent about 20 million finishing pigs. So, that’s where they’re pulling their data from.?
Hostetler talks about how the report is intended to serve as an important industry benchmark, so individual producers can see how they compare to said benchmark.
?We would say that producers can use that information to really look at how they’re doing, how they’re stacking up with other producers around the country, certainly on a national average, they can find areas where they’re really doing well.?
Hostetler says producers will notice trends when looking at the latest report.
?Our average born alive has been increasing about two tenths of a pig a year, and over the last 15 years, and certainly that trend has continued. At the same time, we see some trends in mortality that are concerning that producers can tighten up those management practices.?
Producers who would like to find out more on the latest productivity analysis report are encouraged to visit the research tab on porkcheckoff.org.
