Think Carefully Before Expanding
UK - A rather underwhelming day for pig sellers and although the schools and factories are now open again, no real signs have yet emerged of any significant upturn in demand, writes Peter Crichton in this...

A Profitable Summer for Hog Producers
US - Hog producers have been earning a profit this summer, so it is time to start worrying about herd expansion, writes Ron Plain in his weekly US Hog Outlook report.

Figuring out Improvements
UK - Good information is essential for running a good pig business and BPEX has just launched a new section on its web site that offers just that.

Subclinical Ileitis Reduces Productivity
US - Deceptive and persistent, subclinical ileitis is more common in grow/finish barns than many realise, according to Pfizer Animal Health.

Animal Production, Climate Change and Diseases
GLOBAL - The detection of links between animal production systems around the world, climate change and the epidemiological evolution of animal diseases was the focus of a meeting organised by the OIE with...

Pork Commentary: Eastern Europe Road Trip Week 2
GLOBAL - "This past week we continued our tour of Eastern Europe ending our trip in Russia and then travelling to the Czech Republic, Austria, and then to Ukraine," writes Jim Long in this week's Pork...

French Angered by Burger Chain's Pork Ban
FRANCE - A French fast food chain has fuelled the country’s bitter debate over the influence of Muslim values by banning pig products from its menu.

Maize Lines Bred to Resist Fungal Toxins
US - Corn germplasm lines developed by US Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists are scoring high marks in field trials for resistance to aflatoxin produced by Aspergilllus flavus and A....

Comments Invited on Medicines Regulation Changes
UK - The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has invited comments on their proposed annual amendments to the Veterinary Medicines Regulations.

A First for Australia's Pork Industry
AUSTRALIA - Pork producers from all over Australia took up the opportunity to participate in a Town Hall Teleforum to discuss the industry’s use of gestation stalls as part of the Shaping our Future...

Zhongpin Completes Pork Plant Expansion in Anyang
CHINA - Zhongpin Inc., China's leading meat and food processing company, yesterday announced that it has completed the five-month expansion and improvement of its pork plant in the city of Anyang in the...

Consumers Key Focus of Proposed 2011 NPB Budget
US - Consumer perspectives of pork and pork production are the central focus of the National Pork Board's proposed 2011 budget that will be debated next week in Des Moines, Iowa.

Progress Dealing with Fusarium Head Blight in Wheat
CANADA - A wheat breeder with the University of Manitoba reports sciestists are making progress in improving the resistance of wheat to fusarium head blight, according to Bruce Cochrane.

Japanese Biotech Media Team Tours Maize Farms
US - On Monday, 30 August, a team of Japanese opinion leaders, sponsored by the US Grains Council and the Missouri Corn Growers Association, toured two family farms in St. Charles, Missouri, to receive...

Animal Health Regulations Amendments Expected
CANADA - The Canadian Pork Council expects planned amendments to the federal Health of Animals Regulations to accommodate swine tracebility to become effective by late 2010 or early 2011, writes Bruce...

Dutch Producers Will be Higher-Welfare Challengers
NETHERLANDS - British retailers and consumers have not considered the Dutch to be particularly high-welfare pig producers, compared to Britain.

Tyson's Waterloo Plant Temporarily Stops Production
IOWA, US - Concerns over livestock herding have resulted in slaughtering operation disruptions at a Waterloo meat-packing plant.

New Technical Director for TOPIGS USA
US - TOPIGS is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr John Eggert as Technical Director of TOPIGS USA effective from 16 August 2010.

New Information on Feeding Wheat to Pigs Out
US - Research shows that wheat is a viable energy source for pigs, but little information is available about using this feedstuff in swine operations today.

Alpharma Invites Students to Give Farmers a High Five
NEW JERSEY, US - Alpharma Animal Health encourages people to give farmers a high five through their ag student video contest kicking off in early September.

Study: Agri-Food Industry’s View on Animal Cloning
IRELAND - The sale of food from cloned animals and their offspring is legal in the USA. The US Food and Drug Administration in 2008 stated that such products were indistinguishable from those of non-cloned...

Producers Embrace Efficiency-Improving Technology
SCOTLAND, UK - The enthusiasm of those involved in the Scottish red meat chain to embrace new technology augurs well for the future of the industry, according to Donald Biggar, Chairman of Quality Meat...

Brazil's Pork Exports Rise in Value Again
BRAZIL - Pork exports in July and for the half-year are down in volume compared to the same period last year but value is up in US dollar terms.

Irish Pig Farmers Worry as Grain Prices Rise
IRELAND - The Irish pig industry is again suffering financial pressure as a result of the fastest rise in wheat prices since 1973 (there was a €57/t rise in July).

Stability in Canadian Swine Inventory
CANADA - The Saskatchewan Pork Development Board reports, following an across the board decline in hog numbers since this time last year, western Canada's swine population has started to stabilise, according...