Cholera Adds to PRRS Woes
VIET NAM - Animals at the porcine research center attached to the National Institute of Animal Husbandry in Hanoi have been infected by the hog cholera virus, an official said Tuesday.

Alberta to Fund Pork for Food Banks
CANADA - Around $300,000 will be provided by Alberta's Provioncial government to process ground pork from animals slaughtered through the federal cull breeding swine program. The meat will go to the province's charity food banks.

Pork Futures: Hogs Higher
CHICAGO - Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hogs closed higher Wednesday on short covering, fund buying and corn's price run-up. Also, June/July and June/August forward spreaders clashed with longs that rolled out of spot June into July and August.

Competition Report Welcomed
UK - British farmers have applauded the findings of a Competition Commission report, which they believe will improve relations between the big supermarkets and producers.

Full Spectrum Conference for VIV Europe
RUSSIAN FEDERATION - The first Special Edition of VIV Europe takes place in Moscow from 27-29 May.

Gold Sponsorship Deal for Danish Bacon
UK - The UK airwaves will once again be sizzling with the sound of Danish Bacon thanks to a highly targeted consumer marketing and promotional campaign that's been renewed with Gold Radio.

IFAP Damned on Health, Welfare & Environment
US - Industrial Farm Animal Production methods have been critisised by a report deeming them unacceptable and a risk to public health, the environment and animal welfare.

Russian Export Ban for Tyson and Smithfield
RUSSIA - Russia, the fifth-largest buyer of US pork, has banned imports of the meat from certain plants run by Tyson Foods and Smithfield Foods.

Sow Housing Scheme Closed
IRELAND - The Irish Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Coughlan has closed the 2007 Sow Housing (Animal Welfare) Scheme for new applications.

Prairieland Park Plans New Interactive Agricultural Display
CANADA - Saskatoon Prairieland Park plans to unveil a new interactive agricultural display as part of its annual summer fair in August, writes Bruce Cochrane.

The Key To Recovery For Hog Producers
US - A hog market analyst in Memphis, Tennessee says immediate sow herd reduction is the key to the recovery of the hog industry.

NPPC Welcomes Farm Bill Funding Agreement
US - “The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has congratulated members of the House-Senate Farm Bill conference committee on reaching a broad funding agreement.

Pork Futures: Hogs Finish Down Hard
CHICAGO - Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hogs closed sharply lower on news that Russia banned product from four U.S. pork plants, fund liquidation and longs that rolled out of June into July and August.

BOOK REVIEW: Guide to Antimicrobial Use in Animals
UK - In summary, this is an excellent book, earnestly trying to cover a difficult and complex subject, which, politically, is a very active area for debate.

Weekly Roberts Report: Volatile with Opportunity
US - Agricultural US Commodity Market Report by Mike Roberts, Commodity Marketing Agent, Virginia Tech.