Benchmark Magazine Article Archive

The past two years have been challenging to say the least. But being in the pork sector has always required facing challenges with innovation and intelligence. The latest round of challenges-from the risk of disease to war in Europe, to regulations that don’t match with the day-to-day life of swine farming-are no different.

If you’re a pork producer in 2022, you’re well aware of ongoing issues and challenges that face your operation and your industry. Unfortunately, one of these is the constant threat of foreign animal diseases (FADs) such as African Swine Fever (ASF).

Even as the world slogs through the pandemic of Covid-19, and the poultry sector sees surges of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus, the global pig industry in many countries has already faced the onslaught of the deadly African Swine Fever (ASF), as most of the western hemisphere prepares to keep it out.

After staggering high unemployment rates in 2020, it dropped in 2021. The vital global agricultural industry experienced strong hiring in 2021, with a 30% increase in jobs posted on AgCareers.com. Globally, job postings in the swine industry on AgCareers.com increased by 6% in the past year. Looking at jobs by country, US swine jobs remained consistent, while Canadian swine jobs increased.

With disruptions caused by the pandemic and mounting uncertainty surrounding the crisis in Ukraine, ensuring a consistent, safe, and affordable food supply has never been more important.

Situated in the extremes of northwest Iowa in the outskirts of the town of Alvord, Pig Hill West is a multi-generational, “next generation” farm with 4,400 sows, their offspring and growing stock. Pig Hill West is one area that comprises the diversified agricultural business, Pig Hill Co.

Located in New Athens, IL, just southeast of St. Louis, Sis-Bro provides 280,000+ high-quality ISO weans to sell to other producers across the Midwest and to farmers who will grow them to market size. They finish a very small number of hogs through a contract grower, but are looking to expand that venture as well.

Total number of farms = 292

Total number of farms = 28

God. Family. Farming. One of these three is a real battle for the Hutterite colony. Yes, it’s farming.

The word “triggered” frequently has a negative meaning. Rather than focus on the downsides of being triggered - such as getting furiously angry by images we see on social media - it is time to look forward to being able to act in a positive way when we see a trigger in pig production data.

“I grew up on our family’s farm in Northeast Missouri. After college I married my husband, Jared. He and his family are row crop farmers, and together we teach our children, Stella, Morgan, and Carter how to care for our animals and land to the best of our ability.”

For the past few years, the American pork industry has had to concern itself with: the Covid-19 pandemic and its corresponding supply chain, labour and health issues; and the ever-present Sword of Damocles hanging over everyone’s head that is African Swine Fever and the prevention of its entrance into North America, while also preparing for its unwanted arrival, nonetheless. And then there is California Proposition 12 - a new State of California law that bans the sale of pork for any hog born to a sow not raised according to the state’s production standards, specifically animal housing doctrine.

Although there is a growing list of factors that will disrupt the hog industry, careful planning and risk management can limit the severity of impact on your operations.

Researchers have developed an algorithm able to translate a pig’s grunts into an emotional equivalent, which could be used to monitor animal well-being in real-time.

Seen as a threat to other animals and the environment, as well as a potential risk for transmitting ASF amongst the commercial pig population, as of the first week of April 2022 wild boar have been reported in 28 rural Alberta municipalities.

The Bountiful Pig. When you think of pigs, what do you think of? Did you know that everyday pigs provide vital needs for humans? Pork products range from safe high-quality delicious sources of protein, lifesaving medical uses, and many other products that help improve the quality of our lives. No other animal provides such a wide range of products for society as pigs. Through new technologies and innovative research, new by-products from pigs continue to be developed every day.

The Belcampo Farm was started in 2012 and founded with the mission “to deliver meat you can feel good about”. Belcampo meat products are a quality protein source for people; Belcampo certifies humane treatment of its animals; and regenerative agriculture for the environment.

Back in February 2021, the PigCHAMP team had the pleasure of sitting down over Zoom with Joyce Hoppes from the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA). As the Consumer Information Director, Joyce works closely with retailers, educators, and healthcare workers on the consumer side of programs and activities. Other than this past year, you can usually find her at events like the Iowa State Fair or putting programs together like Pass the Pork.

The swine industry has changed greatly over the past few decades. Efficiencies in pork production and the agriculture industry, have changed the way we look at what and where our food comes from. Consumer demand for increased animal welfare and safe pork products has driven the industry to improve production and quality standards.