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TQA builds trust through consistent training
Transportation Quality Assurance® (TQA®), the pork industry’s certification program, provides science-based training for animal handlers and professional transporters who are responsible for moving pigs from farms to other facilities. Stephanie Wetter, director of animal welfare for the National Pork Board, said this provides practical training for people who handle pigs every day. Wetter said TQA is grounded in the real-world application of transporting livestock. Wetter said consistent and...
SAF Coalition briefs American Carbon Alliance members
The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition joined the American Carbon Alliance’s monthly membership meeting to provide an important update on federal policy developments. The Coalition shared the latest on the sustainable aviation fuel market, highlighting its growing...
Raising healthy pigs is a group effort
Raising healthy pigs doesn’t happen by accident and animal health is at the forefront of all hog producer’s minds. Following biosecurity protocols and proper management strategies are a part of everyday life when raising pigs. Dr. Seth Krantz is a director on the...
China trade obstacles impacting beef and pork exports
Due in part to a sharp decline in shipments to China, April exports of U.S. beef and pork trended lower than a year ago, according to data released by the USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said that...
Terrain report urges marketing adaptability in 2025
Farmers are facing a season in which margins could be razor-thin, leaving little room for error. With input costs high and commodity prices uncertain, 2025 is shaping up to be a year that rewards those who plan ahead. The best strategy in this kind of environment is a...
Managing swine respiratory disease with the Influenza Playbook
Over the years, more influenza strains have infiltrated the swine herd. It’s now at the point where it’s endemic to some states and breeding herds just have to live with it. This creates extra costs and also immunocompromises those infected pigs. That’s why Merck...
Northwest Iowa crops off to good start despite challenges
No growing season is perfect; there are always challenges and issues that will present themselves as the season progresses. In northwest Iowa this spring, planting season was smooth with dry weather assisting farmers in getting their crops into the ground quickly....
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CLAAS breaks ground on new Midwest facility
Today, CLAAS broke ground on a new 44,800 square foot Research and Development Center in Omaha, Nebraska. The facility will add new jobs and support the local economy in an area that is already very familiar with CLAAS, as the new building is being constructed on the...
PQA Plus program helps build trust with consumers
The Pork Quality Assurance® Plus, or PQA Plus®, program helps pig farmers and their employees continually improve animal care practices. Illinois pork producer Paul Ayers says the industry reevaluates the PQA program every three years to ensure it stays relevant,...
USDA announces efforts to increase rural veterinarians
There is a shortage of rural veterinarians in the United States and the low numbers are creating issues for animal health in rural areas. On Thursday Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a new plan designed to increase the number of veterinarians in rural America....
Fresh pork expected to be more price-competitive with beef and chicken
A National Pork Board report expects pork to be even more price-competitive with beef and chicken during the fall. The pork supply continues to fall short of expectations. In the last month, slaughter is down 3.3 percent, and when combined with the decline in weights,...
Farmers applaud court decision on H-2A costs
Farms across America face razor-thin margins and rising input costs, especially when relying on seasonal labor. Family-run operations often struggle to hire and retain enough workers during peak seasons to get crops planted, tended, and harvested. Under the H-2A visa...
