Feedstuffs in Focus

The National Oilseed Processors Association and the United Soybean Board recently unveiled a new study examining the value of the American soybean industry.  The study, “The Economic Impact of the U.S. Soybeans & End Products on the U.S. Economy,” found that the total economic impact of the US economy from the soybean sector is around $124 billion annually. Breaking that down, it comes to $85....

In this episode, host Sarah Muirhead talks with Dr. R.Dean Boyd and Dr. Aaron Gaines about establishing reliable net energy (NE) values for soybean meal (SBM) in commercial growing and finishing swine diets. Boyd and Gaines are the authors of a recently published Feedstuffs article , “Soybean meal NE value for growing pigs is greater in commercial environments.” Typically, academic research facili...

What might this fall harvest season have in store when it comes to the markets and market prices? Where might the cost of diesel and propane be as growers fire up those combines and grain driers? What about the market for various feed ingredients? Is it advisable to stock up now or hold off a bit on those purchases?  The markets for beef cattle and hogs look to be making some adjustments as well....

Meat discoloration during retail display is a process characterized by changes in the pigment of meat. In beef, that discoloration has been linked back to muscle type. Studies regarding the color stability of different pork muscles, however, has been more limited.  Joining us today to talk about meat discoloration at retail is Dr. Bailey Harsh, assistant professor of meat science in the Department...

When looking to increase crop yields, a stable biological environment really should be the ultimate goal. Environmental needs vary from crop to crop, but the one constant is that each crop has an optimal environment to support maximum yields and crop quality. Creating and maintaining this environment is key to a successful farm.  Joining us to talk about how best to achieve an optimal biological e...

Pet owners will soon find updated packaging and labels when shopping for pet food and specialty pet food products. This is because the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has approved new suggested labeling guidelines. Guidelines that will ensure consistency and transparency and allow consumers to more easily make more informed buying decisions for their pets. Passage of the  re...

Productive Energy, also known as Arkansas NE, is a way of more efficiently influencing performance, breast meat yield and even the economics and sustainability of broiler production, say  researchers. It is thought to be the only energy system that can significantly predict the feed conversion ratio and feed intake for broilers. It’s a way of looking at what happens in the bird in terms of body co...

Is it possible to build a better laying hen? Perhaps so, according to University of Guelph researchers. During the Poultry Science Assn. annual meeting in Philadelphia earlier this week,  Drs. Tina Widowski and Ana Rentsch shared their findings on how bird welfare can influence bird productivity throughout the bird's lifetime. Their work has shown how a modification of early life experience a...

Alltech has introduced Triad, an innovative solution that promotes successful farrowing and pig livability through a palatable, proprietary blend of Alltech ingredients.  During World Pork Expo, our Ann Hess caught up with Andy Rash, general manager of Alltech’s U.S. swine business to find out more about Triad and what opportunities it has to offer hog producers.  As Rash explains, sow throughput...

The swine industry is currently facing some real economic challenges. Joining us from World Pork Expo to provide perspective on the industry and what is driving this economic uncertainty, as well as thoughts on how long it might last is Dr. Matt Ritter, Sr. Vice President Research & Development with United Animal Health.  This episode of Feedstuffs in Focus is sponsored by United Animal Health...

Researchers in swine nutrition have focused much of their recent efforts on exploring how feed can benefit sows and pigs beyond growth and production. Historically, interventions have concentrated on attacking a particular pathogen, but modern technologies have shown promise in proactively supporting and developing pigs’ immune systems.  This episode of  Feedstuffs in Focus  is sponsored by Purina...

It’s all the buzz in the business world. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a public relations, and even marketing, tool is on the rise and making headlines. But what is true risk? What is the real cost of getting your messaging wrong or using AI to craft your messaging? Is AI a business opportunity, risk or a bit of both?  Hinda Mitchell, President of the Inspire PR Group, shares with us...

During World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, NOVUS International, a global feed additive company, revealed its comprehensive rebranding initiative. The changes reflect the more than 30-year-old company’s promise to deliver more to its customers and its commitment to providing solutions created through advanced technology, based on global scientific research that goes further to offer unexpected ben...

Globally pork production continues to grow.  Improvements in management and genetics have enabled a significant improvement in the production efficiency of sows through increases in the number of piglets born alive and weaned and consistent litter performance across parities. Unfortunately, a concomitant steady rise in sow mortality. One of the major reasons for sow mortality is pelvic organ prola...

The US turkey industry continues to battle costly protozoal diseases such as coccidiosis, blackhead disease and more. While there are vaccines, medications and alternative products available for managing coccidiosis, there are few dependable options for managing the others. Little also is known about how these protozoal diseases interact.  To help the turkey industry get a firmer grip on protozoal...

The U.S Supreme Court  this week rejected an appeal filed by the National Pork Producers Council and American Farm Bureau Federation challenging California’s controversial Proposition 12. That law, which passed in 2018, requires pork meat sold in the state to come from pigs born to a sow housed in at least a 24-square-foot-pen. In response to the law, the NPPC and AFBF filed a lawsuit seeking to o...

A new effort to better connect food and agriculture leaders with real-world field experience has kicked off in the Chicago area. Farm Foundation, an accelerator of practical solutions for agriculture, recently started the 2023 planting season by sowing three acres of oats on its new farm in Libertyville, Illinois. The farm is the future site of the Innovation and Education Campus, which will host...

The global and US economies have been on a rollercoaster ride since COVID-19 entered the picture. As we monitor consumer trends, and what many believe is an impending recession, what should we be prepared when it comes to the resulting effects on the ag economy. Today, we catch up with Don Close, Chief Research and Analytics Officer with Terrain, to get his take on what’s likely ahead for US agric...

There is a new day on the National Day Calendar. April 21 is now National Rendering Day. It’s recognition the rendering industry sought as a way to educate the public on the efforts and accomplishments of renderers as well as a way to spread the word about the positive environmental impact of rendering.  The date of April 21 was specifically chosen to fall on the day before Earth Day (April 22) in...

Rural commercial cellular coverage is spotty, and Wi-Fi is not always effective in poultry and livestock barns or, for that matter, in remote locations on the farm and in the country.  A lack service and reliability can be frustrating at best but it also can cost farmers and ranchers dollars in lost efficiency and an inability to easily access and track critical data.  In this episode, we turn to...

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration Guidance for Industry (GFI) No. 263 goes into effect in June 2023, transitioning 91 livestock antibiotics, previously available over the counter (OTC), to prescription status. Some manufacturers may transition before this timeframe.  Joining us to help get us ahead of the changes to come is Valley Vet Supply Technical Service Veterinarian, Dr. Lacey Fahrmeie...

What might spring bring in terms of the export and shipping situations? What about Canadian Pacific Railway’s acquisition of Kansas City Southern Railway? What's the latest on the Mississippi River situation? Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, joins today us with an update. This episode is sponsored by United Animal Health, a leader in animal health and nu...

America’s pig farmers have long had a commitment to do what’s right for people, pigs, and the planet. With that in mind, the National Pork Board – alongside the National Pork Producers Council – has established new industry-wide sustainability goals and metrics to drive the industry forward. These commitments are rooted in the We Care® Ethical Principles established more than 15 years ago and repr...

Before investing in new technology that can lead to earlier disease detection, producers rightly want to understand the return on investment.  To dig more into that topic our own Ann Hess is joined today by Dr. Dale Polson and Dr. Carmen Alonso, both with Boehringer Ingelheim. Dr. Polson’s focus is that of Global Integrated Health Management. Dr. Alonso is senior technical manager.  In this episod...

For the hog industry, the fight with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) continues, but perhaps there are things that hog producers can do to get the upper hand on the disease.  What can be done on the farm to start taking control of your own destiny? Feedstuffs Ann Hess caught up with Dr. Clayton Johnson of Carthage Veterinary Service Ltd. during the recent American Association o...