Is This the End of Castration?
DENMARK - Castration of pigs without anaesthetic will not be banned in the EU in the foreseeable future. However, more animal welfare-friendly alternatives will be seen further down the road and then castration...

New Standard in Canadian Housing Unveiled
CANADA - For two years, Canada has been facing difficulties in pig production. But changing circumstances motivate the innovative sector to prepare for better times. And the farm that was shared with fellow...

Measures to Cut Risk of Importing Animal Diseases
EU - A regulation on the introduction into the European Union of small quantities of animal products intended for personal consumption – a measure that will help reduce the risks of importing serious animal...

Open Day Attracts Many Visitors
GERMANY - The new barn for finishing pigs of the Driever family who live in Freren, northern Germany, was recently inaugurated with an Open Day.

AFBI and Teagasc Sign Scientific Collaboration MoU
IRELAND - Scientific collaboration between the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and Teagasc has been formally recognised with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two org...

Dwindling Research Funds Jeopardise Livestock
US – Dwindling federal funding jeopardizes important animal and biomedical research, together with the institutional research programs that focus on them, a group of Michigan State University scientists...

Experts to Meet in China to Discuss Pig Production
CHINA - The Global Pig Forum is the first industry-wide conference for pig production. The forum brings together international experts the entire pig industry.

WCVM Upgrades to Enhance Biosecurity
CANADA - The Western College of Veterinary Medicine says improved biosecurity is among the resulting benefits of a six million dollar upgrade of its Diagnostics Laboratory and Large Animal Clinic, writes...

Breakthrough Helps Aussie Pork Producers
AUSTRALIA - A major technological breakthrough will help pork producers use canola meal more efficiently and give them the potential to use more of it in pig feeding rations.

India Opposes EU Welfare Drive
GLOBAL - The European Union (EU) is pushing for the inclusion of animal welfare standards in World Trade Organization (WTO) multilateral trade negotiations.

Expansion of Animal Clinic and Lab Nears Completion
CANADA - The Western College of Veterinary Medicine expects to complete an approximately six million dollar upgrade of its Diagnostics Laboratory and Large Animal Clinic within the next month to six weeks,...

Yorkshire Producers 'Up for Something Big'
UK - Funding is now in place to build a healthier, more efficient and more internationally competitive Yorkshire and Humberside pig herd, writes Digby Scott.

Big Dutchman Again Awarded 'Best Exhibitor'
BANGKOK, THAILAND - At VIV Asia 2009 Big Dutchman once again succeeded in transforming several containers of show exhibits into an optically very appealing stand.

Cargill Expands Animal Welfare Policies
US - Cargill Pork was the first in the industry to announce a program to purchase hogs only from farms that have been certified under the National Pork Board’s Pork Quality Assurance Plus program. Now,...

Ag Secretary Vilsack Seeking Dialogue on NAIS
US - Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack yesterday held a roundtable discussion with a variety of stakeholders representing the full spectrum of views on the National Animal Identification System (NAIS)....

Public Release of Low Phytate Barley Applauded
CANADA - The Saskatchewan Pork Development Board says the introduction of a low phytate barley, specifically tailored for monogastric animals, will mean cost savings for livestock producers as well as...

Stricter Transport Rules Equal More Expensive Meat
EU - The European Commission has admitted proposals to reduce livestock journey times and stocking densities may lead to a “slight increase” in meat prices for consumers.

Input Provision by Swine Producers Encouraged
CANADA - Manitoba Pork Council is encouraging swine producers to provide their input on a new draft sustainable development strategy, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Pork Health Standards a Swine of a Decision
NEW ZEALAND - The release of provisional health standards for imported pork has got Federated Farmers deeply concerned about the biosecurity precedent this recommendation sets.

Happy Piglets at High Power, IL
US - As you can see, there are some very happy, healthy piglets suckling on a sow at High Power Pork south of Carthage, Illinois.

Risk from MAF’s New Pork Import Standards
NEW ZEALAND - New Zealand MAF’s release of provisional import health standards will allow pigmeat containing the PRRS virus to be widely distributed in New Zealand, according to New Zealand Pork.

Food Producers Offered Welfare Programme Online
US – The American Humane Certified farm animal welfare programme has just introduced its latest innovation: online registration of food producers who are interested in pursuing the nation’s premier humane...

Expressing Demand for Low Phytate Barley
CANADA - A plant breeder with the University of Saskatchewan's Crop Development Centre is encouraging swine producers to make their desire for access to low phytate barley know to seed suppliers, writes...

Canadian Government Ignores Animal Welfare
OTTAWA, CANADA - A report released today by the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) illustrates just how far behind Canada is of countries like Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and...

Research: DDGS Offers Potential in Swine Rations
CANADA - Research underway at the University of Manitoba suggests dried distillers grains with solubles have the potential to play an important role in swine nutrition, writes Bruce Cochrane.