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Welcome to this week's newsletter
Editorial - Setting the Record Straight on Global Issues
News has emerged this week on the pig industry's involvement in some of the biggest issues currently facing human kind. And, for once, the news is good.
Firstly, a key report on climate change through the production of greenhouse gases (GHG) may have considerably overstated the role of the livestock industries. It appears that the criticism has been accepted by the FAO. Professor Frank Mitloehner of the University of California-Davis, who analysed the original report, has stated at a scientific meeting that cutting consumption of meat and milk will not affect GHGs.
And secondly, a Purdue University animal scientist has spoken out in support of the proper use of antibiotics in livestock production. Professor Paul Ebner said: "Antibiotics are used in two basic ways: one use is to treat a specific disease but they also are used preventatively. This is to prevent disease in general." He went on to explain that animal feeds are not 'laced with antibiotics' and how their use is very strictly controlled.
We can only hope that these two reports achieve the media attention that they deserve and bring a balance back to these important debates over the role of animal agriculture in climate change and in antibiotic resistance in human pathogens.
And finally, Denmark is facing large-scale closure of its slaughterhouses. Up to 600 jobs may be relocated abroad by Danish Crown – mostly to Germany – following the Danish food workers' union's refusal to accept 20 per cent pay cuts.
As next Monday is a public holiday in the UK, our next newsletter will go out on Tuesday 6 April.
Jackie Linden
We have 9 new features this week:
Post-Weaning Wasting/Catabolic Syndrome: An Emerging Disease?
A review of what is known - and not yet known - about Post-Weaning Wasting/Catabolic Syndrome (PWCS) by Jackie Linden, editor of ThePigSite.
USDA Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report - March 2010
This quarter's quarterly Hogs and Pigs report from the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
Nuisance Farm Odour is Target for ISU Researchers
Nuisance farm odour is the focus of the work of an Iowa State University (ISU) academics. Professor Hoff has led the development of a system for operating odour mitigation systems only when the weather conditions would lead them to affect neighbours.
Alberta Hog Market Commentary and Outlook - Winter 2010
US forecasts and 2010 hog prices plus developments in Canada and Alberta from Kevin Grier, Senior Market Analyst at George Morris Centre.
UK Pig Disease Quarterly Surveillance Report: October to December 2009
The latest report from the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) highlights the continued low incidence of PMWS and PCV2-associated disease, which is attributed to the introduction of PCV2 vaccines. PRRS continues to be a concern.
Plus the following reports from USDA Foreign Agricultural Service:
China - Livestock and Products Semi-Annual Report 2010
Canada - Livestock and Products Semi-Annual Report 2010
Republic of Korea - Livestock and Products Semi-Annual 2010
Mexico - Livestock and Products Semi-Annual Report 2010
Grand Designs for Pigs
UK - Pig producers can get inspiration to design the ideal outdoor unit at two free BPEX workshops.
Making Money from Small Change
AUSTRALIA - Small changes in reproductive performance in piggeries can translate into big economic gains, according to Hilduard Swarts, Global Marketing Director, Global Swine Business Unit,
Intervet-Schering Plough Animal Health.
Pork Has Good Environmental Potential
UK - Over 120 farmers attended a special spring conference organised by international pig-breeding company, ACMC, at their headquarters at Beeford, East Yorkshire. The conference looked at the role of pig production in meeting future food demand with the emphasis on improving efficiency for both financial and environmental reasons.
» Climate Change Prediction Research Programme
» Weekly Outlook: Decline in Soybean Consumption
» Safety Hazards Faced During Manure Pumping
» Market Preview: Re-entry into Russia a Breakthrough for Pork
» Cutting Meat, Milk Intake Will Not Lower GHGs
» CME: Growth in US Total Meat, Poultry Amount
» Proper Antibiotic Use Prevents Livestock Disease
» US Consumers Face Food Price Rises
» Weekly Roberts Report
» US Swine Economics Report
» Idaho Passes Bill to Restrict Farm Size
» Russia Approves Two Cargill Pork Plants
» FAO Admits Flaw in Meat and Climate Change Report
» CME: Decline in US Breeding Herd Expected
» USDA Seeks Comments on New Food Safety Rule
» Improving Feed Management Plans
» March Hogs and Pigs Report More Bullish
» AMI Submits Comments on FSIS's Proposed Rule
» Pork Production Down Compared to a Year Ago
» March Quarterly Hogs & Pigs Report Analysis
» CME: Highlights of March Hogs and Pigs Report
» Homeland Security Renews Animal Disease Centres
» Korea Captures Efficiencies of Large-Scale Production
» Rectory Foods Partners with Acura over Pork, Beef
» No Time Like the Present to Save Energy
» Waste Rules Could Save Farmers £4 Million
» NADIS BPEX Pig Commentary – March 2010
» NFUS Puts GM Feed, Animal Transport on EU Radar
» Animal Health Budget Delay Bad News for Farmers
» Britain is Near-Bankrupt, But Pigs Remain Buoyant
» QMS Increases Support for Red Meat Industry
» EU Pig Prices: Steady for the Most Part
» Parliament Pursues Food Quality Legislation
» Ag Minister Blocks Ontario Pork Ruling for Review
» Sustainable Development Strategy Expected by Spring
» Value of Canadian Dollar Likely to Impact Profitability
» Feeding Strategies Reduce Phosphorus in Manure
» Thru the Farmgate Expected to Reach Thousands
» Leading the Way in Developing Food Traceability
» Reduced Feed Costs Expected to Improve Profitability
» Pork Commentary: USDA Projects Lower Meat Production
» Unwillingness to Negotiate Leads to Job Losses
» Large-Scale Closure of Danish Abattoirs Likely
» Characterisation of Genetic Factors in Pigs
» Wageningen Looks to go Carbon-Neutral
» Russia Reports One New ASF Outbreak in Swine
» Cherkizovo Consolidates Russian Meat Market
» Russia Reports Three New CSF Outbreaks
» Zhongpin Starts Pork Plant Expansion in Anyang
» Latest Pig Prices from China
» Philippines Leans on Pork as Chicken Price Flies
» Belgian Group Seeks to Eliminate MRSA in Pigs
» European Trip Provides Insight Into Industry Trends
» BRICs to Cooperate over Food Security
That's all for this week!
Ed.
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