Lucy Towers

GLOBAL - The new PCV2d variant of the Porcine Circovirus is an emerging virus that has been associated with vaccine failure.

US - Arguably one of the biggest surprises in the USDA's latest Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report was the number of hogs that are expected to come to market between December and May, writes the Steiner Consulting Group.

GLOBAL - The big news over the holiday came from the latest USDA Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report, which surprised many with its revised number of hogs that are expected to come to market between December and May.

UK - A new ‘Targets Task Force’ has met for the first time to discuss how meaningful objectives to reduce, refine and replace antibiotic use in all UK livestock sectors can be identified.

US - There were 520 million pounds of pork in cold storage at the end of November. That is 13.1 per cent less than the month before and 7.2 per cent less than a year ago. Compared to November 30, 2015, frozen stocks of b…

US - With 2016 already in the books we are looking ahead at the New Year and pondering some of the factors that could drive livestock markets for the next 12 months. Any such list is inherently flawed because the real ma…

US - The December 1st Quarterly USDA Hogs and Pigs Report surprised us with not only the growth of the breeding herd but also the size of market inventory, writes Jim Long.

CANADA - A Senior Geneticist with Fast Genetics says the cost of genetic evaluation has fallen to a level that makes the technology practical for every selection candidate, writes Bruce Cochrane.

US - After last weeks December Hogs and Pigs Report that indicated the US breeding herd and Market hog & inventories were up beyond any expectation year over year (Breeding +1 per cent - Market +4 per cent), it is surpri…

UKRAINE - Two more outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) have been reported on pig farms in Ukraine.

NORTH AMERICA - The Chair of the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board says, as North American meat and poultry production increases in response to low feed costs, the pork industry will become increasingly dependant on ex…

CANADA - The Veterinary Counsel with the Canadian Pork Council says the return to more moderate winter temperatures is making efforts to maintain biosecurity to contain the risk of spreading Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea muc…

CANADA - The Chair of Manitoba Pork says the outlook for 2017 within the province's pork industry is optimistic, writes Bruce Cochrane.

US - The Rabo Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory (FAR) group have released a report on the future of the agriculture sector, focusing on the pivotal next five years in the agribusiness industry.

UK -Lincolnshire farmer Meryl Ward has announced she will be standing down as chair of AHDB Pork at the end of March, after two years in the role.

US - USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service published their weekly Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection report, which is data compiled by USDA-NASS from the USDA-FSIS (the agency that processors are required to repor…

I was recently at the National Swine Improvement Federation (NSFI) conference in Raleigh, NC. This conference is held annually with most attendees being involved directly in the pork genetics industry. One of the key top…

RUSSIA - African Swine Fever (ASF) has been reported on a further two pig farms.

US - To optimise performance in growing pigs, it is important to feed not only enough protein, but the right balance of amino acids. Research from the University of Illinois is helping to determine the correct ratio of t…