PRRS and PEDv are diseases of particular concern to the swine industry, but they are far from the only economically important diseases of note in pork production. How big is the financial impact of these disease challenges for the average producer, and what are some management strategies that can help producers reduce or eliminate these pressures from their herd?That’s the subject of this week’s edition.Alex Hintz is a swine veterinarian working with Novus’ customers across the country on strategies and management practices to minimize disease pressures on their operation. Dr. Hintz received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Wisconsin in 2015 and spent a couple of years after graduation as a practicing veterinarian focused on swine production & health in the midwestern United States. Dr. Hintz spent the past 5 years working in technical services in North America and has been the Technical Manager focused on swine health through nutrition for Novus International for the last two years.This episode is sponsored by Novus International, Inc.—a leader in poultry, dairy and swine nutrition solutions driven by science. Novus’s products and services look at the whole animal, focusing on productivity and well-being, in order to feed the world affordable and wholesome food.For more information, visit Novus’s website at www.novusint.com

“Help Wanted” signs seem to hang in the window of every business in America these days, and the labor shortage is a frequent topic of discussion on the nightly news. How has the pandemic changed the job market for companies in the essential industries of animal agriculture and construction? In this episode we talk about the challenges employers face in the agriculture industry, and the outlook for recruiting and retaining employees in the new year. Kasey Sheldon of the Bahler Management Group is a specialist in talent acquisition; she joins Feedstuffs editor Sarah Muirhead to provide some insights on labor-related matters, and to offer some tips for employers on navigating the latest challenges in talent acquisition and retention.This episode is sponsored by United Animal Health, a leader in animal health and nutrition. You can learn more about United Animal Health and how they are working to advance animal science worldwide by visiting their website UnitedANH.com.

Standing at the intersection of nutrition, technology, science, policy, and consumer values is our food system. It’s a complex system that consistently delivers a safe and affordable food supply with a dizzying array of choices to fit a growing list of customer needs and wants.With families across the country gathering around the table to break bread and give thanks this week, let’s take a moment to ponder the future of that ever-evolving system and what that future holds for those involved in the industry.During a recent animal welfare symposium in Orlando, Florida, Feedstuffs editor Sarah Muirhead caught up with one of the keynote speakers, internationally-recognized food futurist Jack Bobo, to get his insights on current consumer perceptions related to food choices, sustainability, technology and more. They also discuss policy at the international level and what those discussion might hold for the future of the food system and agriculture in general. This episode is sponsored by Novus International, Inc., a leader in poultry, dairy, and swine nutrition solutions driven by science. Novus’ products and services look at the whole animal, focusing on productivity and well-being, in order to feed the world affordable and wholesome food.For more information, visit Novus’s website at www.novusint.com

Animal welfare has long been a topic of discussion, and even some debate, across the food sector and within agriculture but when both sectors can come together to discuss moving forward, it’s a powerful thing.That is exactly what took place this week in Orlando, Fla., and Feedstuffs editor Sarah Muirhead was on hand and had the opportunity to catch up with symposium organizer Angela Baysinger, DVM, MS, MSc, North America Animal Welfare Lead on Merck Animal Health’s Veterinary & Consumer Affairs Team. In this week’s episode, they discuss the key learnings and takeaways from the meeting and share thoughts on what the group learned from a visit to the local zoo to talk with the welfare specialist there where the animals are always in front of the public.This episode was sponsored by Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production and their #ScienceHearted podcast, “Food Chain Chats. In the latest episode, hear from Dr. Sangita Jalukar, Technical Services Manager at ARM & HAMMER, about recent groundbreaking cytotoxicity research and the “PPR” approach to helping animals battle mycotoxin challenges – from the inside out. Listen and subscribe to “Food Chain Chats” wherever you find your favorite podcasts. 

Global exports have become an important part of the U.S. pork industry’s growth in recent decades, and the emergence of African Swine Fever – particularly in China – has had profound impacts on the flow of pork products around the world. Recent research funded by the National Pork Board looks at the ways the industry can and should diversify its global marketing strategy to adjust and adapt to those changes, and to ensure growth into the future.Earlier this week as part of a Feedstuffs 365 live panel discussion, we talked with four experts from the pork industry, including a producer, the National Pork Board’s director of global marketing strategy, one of the industry’s top agricultural economists, and one of the researchers who developed the report.Joining us to discuss the report and related topics are Rupert Claxton of Gira; Missouri pork producer David Newman; Dr. Dermot Hayes of Iowa State University and Dr. Clay Eastwood of the National Pork Board.  This episode of Feedstuffs In Focus is sponsored by Topigs Norsvin, the second largest swine genetics company in the world. Topigs Norsvin’s unique breeding program is designed to accelerate genetic progress at the customer level by creating innovative products and solutions that benefit the entire pork production chain. To get more information, visit TopigsNorsvin.us.

Over the past two decades, U.S. animal protein exports grew from $7.4 billion to $20.7 billion, driven by a combination of strong marketing by the industry and a series of trade negotiations between governments. Today, global trade accounts for 10%-30% of U.S. animal protein production, depending on industry segment.But with the Trump Administration’s harder line on trade changing the tone of U.S. policy, where do things stand today, and what upside potential is there yet to grow U.S. protein exports even further?In this episode we talk with agricultural economist Brian Earnest of CoBank about his recent report examining the importance of maintaining strong relationship with existing trade partners like Mexico, Canada and Japan, while also growing trade with China and other key markets overseas. We’ll also discuss the Biden Administration’s approach to trade policy and the importance of confirming the chief ag negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.You can read Brian's full report HERE.This episode is sponsored by United Animal Health, a leader in animal health and nutrition. You can learn more about United Animal Health and how they are working to advance animal science worldwide by visiting their website UnitedANH.com.

The dairy market has shifted more toward an emphasis on components in recent years, giving farmers an important incentive to think about the production of those components rather than on the overall volume of milk produced. What can dairy farmers do in terms of management and production to optimize for those components?In this episode we talk with Hannah Tucker, a Ruminant Technical Services Manager Novus International working with livestock producers in the U.S. and Canada. Dr. Tucker grew up in Michigan’s scenic dairy country. She received her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science at Michigan State University and then pursued her Master’s in Dairy Science at Virginia Tech under Dr. Mike Akers and her PhD in Animal Science under Dr. Kristy Daniels. Upon graduation, she worked as a ruminant nutritionist for Sioux Nation Ag, trouble shooting for dairy and beef customers. In July of this year, she started her career at NOVUS.This episode is sponsored by Novus International, Inc. — a leader in dairy, poultry and swine nutrition solutions driven by science. Novus’ products and services look at the whole animal, focusing on productivity and well-being, in order to feed the world affordable and wholesome food.For more information, visit Novus’s website at www.novusint.com

The term “regenerative agriculture” has become more commonly discussed in recent years, but like many new terms – and like many oft-repeated buzzwords in agriculture and food marketing – it may not be well understood by most people, or even well-defined in general. What does regenerative agriculture mean, and what role does regenerative farming play in the future of the meat industry?In this episode we talk with Robby Sansom, the co-founder of Force of Nature, a regeneratively-sourced meat company, and from Curt Covington, senior director of AgAmerica Lending. Feedstuffs editor Sarah Muirhead talked with Sansom and Covington during a recent Feedstuffs 365 livestream to explore what is being done by producers of all sizes to keep meat on consumers’ plates, as well as what the structure of the future meat industry might look like.This episode is sponsored by United Animal Health, a leader in animal health and nutrition. You can learn more about United Animal Health and how they are working to advance animal science worldwide by visiting their website UnitedANH.com.

Achieving something known as net zero – in other words, balancing the amount of greenhouse gas produced by an activity and the amount removed from the atmosphere – is a key focus of leaders in the global livestock industry and among food manufacturers and retailers. What will it take to achieve net zero, and how will the effort affect food production and consumption around the globe?Pathways to Dairy Net Zero, a ground-breaking new climate initiative, has launched with some 40 leading organizations, including 11 of the 20 largest dairy companies in the world, declaring their support for the effort. Collectively, these supporters represent approximately 30% of total milk production worldwide.The new climate initiative demonstrates the global dairy sector’s commitment to reducing GHG emissions while continuing to produce nutritious foods for six billion people and provide for the livelihoods of one billion people.In a recent edition of Feedstuffs 365, our Sarah Muirhead sat down Donald Moore of the Global Dairy Platform to find out more about achieving net zero. Moore also provided an update on the recent U.N. Food Systems Summit.This podcast was sponsored by Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production and their #ScienceHearted podcast, “Food Chain Chats. In the most recent episode, listen to Dr. Jack McReynolds, Director of Research and Development, and Dr. Christine Alvarado, Technical Services Director, tap into their extensive hands-on expertise as part of the Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production team and discuss some of the most pressing food safety topics.Listen and subscribe to “Food Chain Chats” wherever you dig-in to your favorite podcasts. 

EnTech Solutions has formed a joint venture with Northern Biogas LLC aimed at providing a sustainable energy future utilizing local agriculture, specifically dairy waste. Recently, EnTech added to its clean energy solutions portfolio an active biogas facility in the Middleton, Wis. Utilizing anaerobic digestion, the facility turns organic waste from local dairy farms into renewable energy. Feedstuffs editor Sarah Muirhead toured the facility on her way to World Dairy Expo to learn more about the facility and the benefits it offers to local dairy producers as well as the regional ecosystem through the utilization of advanced filtration technology. In this episode, she talks with Jeff LaViolette, civil/environmental engineer with Northern Biogas.This episode is sponsored by Novus International, Inc.—a leader in dairy, poultry and swine nutrition solutions driven by science. Novus' products and services look at the whole animal, focusing on productivity and well-being, in order to feed the world affordable and wholesome food.For more information, visit Novus’s website at Novusint.com

Sustainability is such an oft-discussed topic of conversation in the food space that it’s become a buzzword. Who defines it? What does it mean? Aren’t farmers already doing a lot to improve soil, air and water quality?In this episode we talk with Lauren Brey, managing director of the Farmers for Sustainable Food Coalition. We caught up with Lauren at the World Dairy Expo this week in Madison, Wisconsin, to answer some of those big questions about sustainability. She is one of the farmers leading the effort to better define and document the sustainability work happening on farms every day across the country, and to get in alignment with the food companies and supply chain partners who are more and more driving the discussion every day.For all of our coverage of World Dairy Expo, log in to Feedstuffs365, our video streaming platform, for a series of interviews with farmers, dairy business leaders and technological experts. We covered everything from new livestock identification and monitoring technology to the outlook for dairy producer profitability over the next two years.This episode is sponsored by United Animal Health, a leader in animal health and nutrition. You can learn more about United Animal Health and how they are working to advance animal science worldwide by visiting their website UnitedANH.com.

Between the budget battle, funding the infrastructure bill and an ambitious tax proposal, tens of billions of dollars in the agricultural economy hangs in the balance as legislators in Washington wrangle over signature pieces of President Joe Biden’s domestic policy agenda.In this episode we’ll hear from agriculture policy expert Emily Buckman of the American Farm Bureau Federation, a member of the banking community about her group's concerns with the House-passed version of the federal budget and a looming government shutdown. Then we'll hear from Paul  Merski of the Independent Community Bankers Association about one troubling provision of the infrastructure bill with regard to how the administration plans to pay for the new spending. And finally, Congressman Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania, ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, explains why he's not in favor of the administration's tax proposal because of the effects it would have on rural America specifically.This episode is sponsored by Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production and their #ScienceHearted podcast, “Food Chain Chats.” In a new episode, hear Dr. Tom Rehberger, Director of Innovation and Product Development at Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production, discuss optimal rumen function and the role that products like CERTILLUS™ can have on ultimate success. Subscribe and listen to “Food Chain Chats” wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

Bacteria are all around us, and the role these microorganisms play in our environment – both on the farm and inside the animals themselves, is an increasingly important area of study in animal science.Quorum sensing is bacteria’s unique biochemical communication system. It’s how bacteria interact and talk with each other. Understanding how that communication works and how we can use it in a variety of applications is a new frontier in animal health and wellbeing.To explore how quorum sensing science works and what benefits it offers the dairy industry, Feedstuffs editor Sarah Muirhead talked with Dr. Jeff Brose, director of technical services with AHV International out of Fort Collins, Colorado, to find out more. Prior to joining AHV International, Brose served as a consultant as AHV prepared to enter the U.S. market. He previously held positions with Cargill and Monsanto after managing his own private veterinary practice.

Uterine prolapse is a serious issue of concern to swine producers. A 2018 Iowa State University study involving 400,000 commercials sows found that vaginal or uterine prolapse accounted for 15% of all sow mortalities during the study period, and earlier research found that all pelvic organ prolapses cost producers roughly $5,220 per 1,000 sows per year.What hasn’t been as well understood until more recent research is the various factors influencing the incidence of uterine prolapse in the sow herd.In this episode we talk with Dr. Jenelle Dunkelberger, a geneticist with Topigs Norsvin, about those factors and specifically about recent research into the role genetics play in the incidence of uterine prolapse.This episode of Feedstuffs In Focus is sponsored by Topigs Norsvin, the second largest swine genetics company in the world. Topigs Norsvin’s unique breeding program is designed to accelerate genetic progress at the customer level by creating innovative products and solutions that benefit the entire pork production chain. To get more information, visit TopigsNorsvin.us. For any questions or additional information about the work Topigs Norsvin has done to implement selection against uterine prolapse, email [email protected].

Hurricane Ida rocked the Gulf coast last month, making landfall at New Orleans and causing significant damage to the infrastructure that supports the U.S. soy and grain export business. It damaged at least one major terminal and left several without power for several weeks.In this episode we talk with Mike Steenhoek of the Soy Transportation Coalition for a look at how badly Ida hurt trade at the gulf, what damage is yet to be repaired, and what lessons the industry might learn from this latest weather-related challenge to our infrastructure.Steenhoek also provides an update on the latest in Washington on the Infrastructure Bill after it cleared the Senate, and why lies ahead in the House.This episode is sponsored by Novus International, Inc. — a leader in dairy, poultry and swine nutrition solutions driven by science. Novus’ products and services look at the whole animal, focusing on productivity and well-being, in order to feed the world affordable and wholesome food.

Quite a lot has happened in Washington recently, from work on the federal budget to movement on further COVID-related relief policy. How has agriculture fared in recent policy movement?In this episode we hear from Farm Progress policy editor Jacqui Fatka. Speaking with colleague Mike Pearson at the Farm Progress Show earlier this week, Fatka explains the latest wrangling over the Waters of the U.S. rule and what it means for farmers, the latest on the infrastructure bill as it relates to agriculture, and the prospects for budget reconciliation in Congress.This episode is sponsored by United Animal Health, a leader in animal health and nutrition. You can learn more about United Animal Health and how they are working to advance animal science worldwide by visiting their website UnitedANH.com.

Producing more than 1.4 million tons of dry commercial feed every year is no small feat… doing it in a state beset by wildfires is another matter entirely. Western Milling’s facility in Goshen, Calif., is one of the largest and most diverse animal food production operations in the U.S., and currently handles more than 1,200 active and unique formulations. What does it take to not only operate at that scale, but to be recognized as one of the top commercial feed mills in the nation?Feedstuffs has partnered with the American Feed Industry Association since 1985 to recognize the most outstanding animal food manufacturing operations in the industry through the Feed Facility of the Year program. Western Milling’s Goshen plant is the most-recent winner in the commercial dry feed category. In a recent edition of Feedstuffs 365, our Sarah Muirhead and AFIA’s Gary Huddleston talked with Dan Rice and Buster Freeman of Western Milling about what makes an exceptional commercial feed mill.Rice and Freeman also discuss some of the unique challenges of operating in California, from the vast diversity of customers they serve to the several challenges they’ve faced in recent years from persistent drought to wildfires and related supply chain disruptions.This episode is sponsored by United Animal Health, a leader in animal health and nutrition. You can learn more about United Animal Health and how they are working to advance animal science worldwide by visiting their website UnitedANH.com.

We’re on the tail end of the cattle cycle, according to Oklahoma State University agricultural economist Derrell Peel, and a combination of COVID-19’s supply chain disruptions and drought across large swaths of cattle country have fueled a very interesting run in the cattle markets. How have those factors altered the outlook for cattle producer profitability over the next 12 months?In this episode we talk with Dr. Peel, a highly-respected expert in cattle marketing, about what’s happening as the industry works through a backlog of cattle caused by last year’s COVID-forced shutdowns. Peel discusses the cattle cycle in general, where we are at the moment, and which segments of the industry are making money and the ongoing concern about drought.This podcast is sponsored by Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production and their #ScienceHearted podcast, “Food Chain Chats.” In a new episode, listen to Elliot Block, Research Fellow and Director of Technology at Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production, talk about the role diet can play in helping beef cattle when they need it most – and why it matters to your herd. CLICK HERE to listen to “Food Chain Chats,” or subscribe wherever you satisfy your podcast cravings.

The animal protein markets are very strong at the moment, given robust consumer demand for meat, milk and eggs, both in the domestic and export markets. The question then becomes how long that demand might hold if inflationary pressures dampen spending at some point in the coming year, or how additional COVID-related challenges such a surge in variant-fueled infections – and any new lockdowns or restrictions – might throw a wrench in the system.In this episode we talk with Brian Earnest, a protein analyst with CoBank, the national cooperative financial institution focused on rural America as part of the Farm Credit System. Earnest describes the current macroeconomic situation, including his insights on inflation and his level of concern about the prospect of rising prices in the year ahead. We also discuss the prospects for continued consumer demand, and what a resurgence of COVID might do to the U.S. meat industry.Run  of Show0:00 Welcome to the show!1:09 Brian Earnest explains that in the current markets, "a rising tide  lifts all boats"2:00 What about inflation? How concerned should beef producers be about inflation?3:58 Consumers seem to be relatively happy to pay higher prices for beef at retail at the moment, but how much more are they willing to pay?6:08 Earnest discusses the general state of the domestic economy, from jobs and unemployment to overall consumer spending.8:40 What about pork and poultry? Earnest discusses how the outlook is similar and different from the beef market.11:29 Let's dive into alternative proteins! Should beef producers be concerned about the rise of alternatives?For more information on this and other stories, visit Feedstuffs online.Follow Feedstuffs on Twitter @Feedstuffs, or join the conversation via Facebook. 

As consumer demand for animal-derived protein grows, so do concerns among some consumer segments about the overall sustainability of livestock production. Increasingly, the animal health industry is researching the development of products and services that enable livestock producers to deliver products that fit consumer preferences for environmentally sustainable protein options.In this episode we talk with Jenna Lansing, Director of the Agri-Food WatchDesk at Aimpoint Research, a global strategic intelligence firm specializing in the agriculture and food sectors. The firm blends military intelligence techniques with market research capabilities to help organizations in the industry understand what’s really happening in the marketplace, what’s going to happen in the future, and what to do to ensure success no matter what that future brings.Lansing manages a team of analysts who monitor hundreds of intelligence sources daily to understand what’s happening across the value chain, helping clients see potential impacts and disruptions they might not have otherwise seen. She discusses discusses recent launches, development and approval of new products that reduce methane and ammonia emissions in food animal production, allowing farmers to raise more livestock while reducing their environmental footprint.This episode is sponsored by United Animal Health, a leader in animal health and nutrition. You can learn more about United Animal Health and how they are working to advance animal science worldwide by visiting their website UnitedANH.com.

In this segment of Feedstuffs in Focus, we talk with Chad Gregory, president and CEO of the United Egg Producers, and recently named Ag Association Leader of the Year by the National AgriMarketing Assn. We caught up with Gregory this week in Kansas City to talk about what it takes to lead in challenging times and to get an update on some of the issues the egg industry is currently facing and what’s likely ahead.One such topic of discussion what that of how COVID-19 changed the industry overnight, shutting down foodservice and causing major disruptions in the retail sector. Proposition 12 in California and other state initiatives that are set to mandate such things as cage-free production was also explored. The egg industry is ready for the transition that goes into play within the next few months but stands to face insurmountable obstacles if those requirements expand to other states. Other topics discussed were the United Nation’s upcoming Food Summit, truthful labeling regulations and where the industry stands in regard to environmental sustainability. Finally, Gregory shared how having a good team in place and being proactive are critical to weathering any crisis. This episode is sponsored by United Animal Health, a leader in animal health and nutrition. You can learn more about United Animal Health and how they are working to advance animal science worldwide by visiting their website UnitedANH.com.

Stocking density and available bunk space play a significant role in determining rate of gain and feed efficiency in growing dairy heifers. While the research on heifer feeding isn’t as plentiful as it is in other areas of dairy nutrition, there are still some important findings for dairy producers and heifer developers.In this episode of Feedstuffs In Focus we talk with Feedstuffs columnist and longtime dairy nutritionist Dr. Al Kertz about what the literature says regarding limit-feeding heifers and the importance of bunk space. Dr. Kerz explains that studies find yearling bred Holstein heifers with free or restricted diet access gained about 9% more with about 1.6% greater intake when not limited in access to the feed bunk. You can watch Dr. Kertz’s full presentation via Feedstuffs 365, our virtual community and education platform. It’s available via Feedstuffs.com as part of your Feedstuffs subscription.This episode is sponsored by Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production and their #ScienceHearted podcast, “Food Chain Chats.” Check out their recent episodes to hear former USDA Undersecretary, Dr. Mindy Brashears, give insights and projections for advancing food safety from the farm to the table. Subscribe wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

On July 9th, President Biden signed a raft of Executive Orders targeted at strengthening the U.S. economy by aiming to, quoting from the press release, “reduce the trend of corporate consolidation, increase competition, and deliver concrete benefits to America’s consumers, workers, farmers, and small businesses.”The President’s directives had several issues specific to agriculture, including the livestock and animal feed industries.In this episode we talk with Feedstuffs and Farm Progress policy editor Jacqui Fatka about what the President’s orders hold for the animal protein and animal food sectors. We’ll discuss the Packers & Stockyards Act, rules related to “Product of the USA” labeling for meat, and getting the Federal Maritime Commission to enforce rules on competitiveness in shipping goods and services in and out of the U.S.

Last month Elanco and Ducks Unlimited announced a partnership to emphasize the strong bond between environmental sustainability and agriculture – specifically beef cattle production – across North America. Over the next two years Elanco will invest $50,000 annually with Ducks Unlimited to help purchase grass seed to support reseeding efforts on working lands in western Kansas, enough to reseed at least 1,000 acres during the course of the project.The grassland restoration initiative is part of the existing SAFE (State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement) project. The SAFE project is an existing collaboration between the USDA Farm Service Agency and Ducks Unlimited with the goal of restoring grasslands and protecting embedded playa wetlands in western Kansas.How does this partnership relate to the sustainability of beef cattle production? And what is one of the world’s leading animal health companies doing to help producers address consumer concerns about the overall environmental impact of livestock and meat production?In this episode we talk with Dr. Sara Place, Elanco’s Chief Sustainability Officer, to answer those questions, and to get her take on ways the beef industry has improved its sustainability in recent years, and how producers can better communicate those improvements to a highly-engaged consuming public. Prior to joining Elanco, Dr. Place worked as senior director of sustainable beef production research at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and was previously an assistant professor of sustainable beef production systems at Oklahoma State University. RELATED WEBINAR: A Pulse on the Beef Industry’s Environmental Hoofprint: Sustainability & Policy Perspectives

As the U.S. economy pulls out of a pandemic-induced recession, the specter of inflation has reared its head. Wednesday the Federal Reserve hiked its expectations for inflation this year and signaled that it would move up the timetable for raising interest rates. All of this has great implications for the livestock and animal feed sectors, from the increased cost of inputs and materials to an increased cost of capital.Last week at World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, we sat down with Jayson Lusk, a distinguished professor and Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University, to get an economist’s take on how worrisome inflation is to the industry at this point. Dr. Lusk also shared his view of what macroeconomic factors he’s watching as the economy fully reopens moving into the second half of the year.This episode is sponsored by CENTRAL LIFE SCIENCES. Get control of flies on your dairy operation with an integrated pest management program built around ClariFly Larvicide and Starbar Products from Central Life Sciences. ClariFly Larvicide offers feed-through control that prevents the emergence of nuisance flies from the manure of treated animals by as much as 96%, and Starbar features a lineup of baits, traps and sprays that address fly problems in all areas of your dairy operation. Flies can spread disease and lead to decreases in milk quality and yields. Learn how to limit their impact at centralflycontrol.com. 

President Biden has proposed a massive investment in U.S. infrastructure as part of his policy agenda, asking Congress to fund $2 trillion in a wide-ranging set of investments from roads, bridges, and waterways to electrification, broadband, and healthcare. But with a sharply-divided Congress, which – if any – of the President’s proposals will move forward?Earlier this week at World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, we caught up with Mike Steenhoek of the Soy Transportation Coalition about the infrastructure bill, and the latest wrangling over the package in Washington.This episode is sponsored by CENTRAL LIFE SCIENCES. Get control of flies on your dairy operation with an integrated pest management program built around ClariFly Larvicide and Starbar Products from Central Life Sciences. ClariFly Larvicide offers feed-through control that prevents the emergence of nuisance flies from the manure of treated animals by as much as 96%, and Starbar features a lineup of baits, traps and sprays that address fly problems in all areas of your dairy operation. Flies can spread disease and lead to decreases in milk quality and yields. Learn how to limit their impact at centralflycontrol.com. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday that it continues to investigate the weekend cyberattack on JBS, revealing that the May 30 attack was the work of a Russian ransomware gang. The incident, which shut down nine beef plants across the U.S., was the latest cyberattack on U.S. infrastructure and one of the first in the food production industry to gain widespread media attention. While JBS said that production at all JBS USA and Pilgrim’s Pride facilities resumed Thursday, the incident highlighted the potential vulnerabilities of our technologically advanced, digitally-oriented food production and processing system. In this episode we talk with Professor James Lowe, director of the I-Learning Center at the University of Illinois’ College of Veterinary Medicine. Lowe says disruptions anywhere in the food animal supply chain cause major impacts up and down that chain. COVID-19 was the most recent major disruption to the meat industry, but he says this cyberattack exposes another vulnerability in a highly-mechanized industry.This episode is sponsored by United Animal Health, a leader in animal health and nutrition. You can learn more about United Animal Health and how they are working to advance animal science worldwide by visiting their website UnitedANH.com.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global disease keeping U.S. swine producers awake at night was African Swine Fever. A virulent disease that devastated the Chinese swine herd and ran rampant throughout several Eastern European countries, the virus was clearly something that hog farmers on this side of the ocean wanted to keep as far away as biologically possible. With China struggling to rebuild its herd due to the continued presence in country, the implications for our domestic pork and feed markets are considerable.Earlier this week, as part of the Global Hog Industry Virtual Conference hosted by National Hog Farmer, our Andy Vance spoke with Dr. Paul Sundberg, executive director of the Swine Health Information Center, about the latest ASF developments around the globe. In this excerpt from that session, Sundberg also discusses research he and his colleagues are supporting in Vietnam, including the results of a recent study on rodents as a potential vector for the disease.This episode is sponsored by United Animal Health, a leader in animal health and nutrition. You can learn more about United Animal Health and how they are working to advance animal science worldwide by visiting their website UnitedANH.com.

Advances in biotechnology have garnered the spotlight in recent years, particularly with regard to landmark uses of genetic biotechnology… think of the role mRNA technologies played in developing vaccines for COVID-19 as a recent example. Biotechnologies are increasingly utilized in agricultural and environmental applications, with terms such as CRISPR gaining widespread recognition among the consuming publicBut what do farmers think about implementing these types of technologies in their operations?In this episode Feedstuffs editor Sarah Muirhead talks with Michigan State University researchers Danielle Ufer and David Ortega about the findings of a recent study of more than 500 American dairy farmers on their willingness to adopt gene-edited genetics in their herds. Their research suggests that farmers may be a little gun shy when it comes to adopting new biotech applications, and that gene editing may face an uphill battle in the dairy sector.This podcast is sponsored by Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production and their #ScienceHearted podcast, “Food Chain Chats.” Check it out to hear insights on how the food supply chain is taking lessons learned from 2020 disruptions into 2021. Subscribe wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

The concept of group sow housing in swine production is far from new, but the implementation of California’s Prop 12 imposes a much heavier burden on producers in terms of the space required for gestating sows in a group system. That burden generally means smaller inventories and higher costs – not a winning recipe for profitable pork production.In this episode of Feedstuffs In Focus we talk with Dr. Hyatt Frobose of JYGA Technologies about what exactly Prop 12 means for the swine industry, and more importantly how producers who want to access the California market can most effectively build or retrofit their facilities to be Prop 12 compliant… without sacrificing farrowing rates in the process.Dr. Frobose is the U.S. Commercial Director for JYGA Technologies, the designer and manufacturer of Gestal swine feeding systems. Prior to joining JYGA, he earned a doctorate in swine management and nutrition at Kansas State University; his research evaluated stimulating estrus in sows during late lactation as a means to improve sow welfare, and the use of novel feeding technology to optimize sow performance.This episode of Feedstuffs In Focus is sponsored by Topigs Norsvin, the second largest swine genetics company in the world. Topigs Norsvin’s unique breeding program is designed to accelerate genetic progress at the customer level by creating innovative products and solutions that benefit the entire pork production chain. To get more information, visit TopigsNorsvin.us.

Nearly 300 U.S. agriculture and forest products companies and associations delivered a letter to Secretary of DOT Pete Buttigieg last week, calling for the immediate intervention to protect U.S. exporters and their access to foreign markets. A global shortage of containers and ocean-going vessels, along with carriers’ increasingly-frequent refusal to carry agricultural products from the U.S. back across the ocean, has led to a disastrous situation for U.S. agricultural exporters.In this episode we talk with Peter Friedman, executive director of the Agriculture Transportation Coalition, to get an update on the situation and discuss specific measures being proposed.This episode of Feedstuffs In Focus is sponsored by United Animal Health, a leader in animal health and nutrition. You can learn more about United Animal Health and how they are working to advance animal science worldwide by visiting their website UnitedANH.com.

According to the International Feed Industry Federation, the commercial feed manufacturing industry is a nearly half-trillion dollar business globally. In the U.S. alone, according to the American Feed Industry Association, there are more than 5,800 animal food manufacturing facilities producing more than 284 million tons of finished feed and pet food each year. The past year has presented a series of challenges to the industry unlike any other year in recent memory.In this episode we talk with Dr. Mark Lyons, CEO of Alltech, about what he and his colleagues in the global feed business have learned over the past year, and the challenges his company continues to face in COVID hotspots like India and Brazil. We’ll also discuss the results of the company’s annual Global Feed Survey, and the trends the survey uncovered from around the world. Finally, we’ll preview the Alltech One Ideas Conference.This episode is sponsored by Alltech. Join Alltech for the annual Alltech ONE Ideas Conference coming up May 25-27. You can register for this virtual global agri-food conference by visiting one.alltech.com.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. consumers spent more than half of their food dollar on what the U.S. Department of Agriculture calls “food away from home;” in other words, on food consumed at restaurants and other foodservice establishments. The pandemic flipped that pattern on its head, with spending on food away from home dropping by more than $32 billion between February and April 2020.In this episode we talk with Hinda Mitchell, founder and president of Inspire PR Group, a practice focused on strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, crisis preparedness and response and issues management. Many of her clients are national restaurant companies, food manufacturers and agricultural commodity groups, giving her an in-depth perspective on the foodservice segment and its relationship to the entire animal protein value chain. Mitchell describes the current state of affairs in the foodservice space, and some of the ongoing challenges facing restaurants, from ongoing restrictions in some states to a broader issue attracting and retaining a highly-engaged labor force.This episode of Feedstuffs In Focus is sponsored by United Animal Health, a leader in animal health and nutrition. You can learn more about United Animal Health and how they are working to advance animal science worldwide by visiting their website UnitedANH.com.

Tyson Foods is one of the world’s largest food companies. With a massive global footprint and millions of animals in production, the company has taken an increased look at animal welfare with a scientific approach to figuring out ways to improve animal health and wellbeing. Recently, the company’s animal welfare research team embarked on a study that leveraged animal preference to test which environmental enrichments chickens on the company’s broiler farms prefer.In this episode Feedstuffs Editor Sarah Muirhead talks with Dr. Karen Christensen, Tyson Foods’ Senior Director of Animal Welfare, about the the company’s Broiler Welfare Research Farm, a state-of-the-art four-house commercial broiler farm, and how it allows the company’s Office of Animal Welfare and university research partners to scientifically evaluate and understand how welfare practices can impact broiler behavior and welfare outcomes in a commercial setting. RELATED: You can watch Sarah Muirhead’s full interview with Dr. Karen Christensen of Tyson Foods via Feedstuffs 365, our virtual community and events platform. Feedstuffs 365 is part of your subscription to Feedstuffs and can be accessed via Feedstuffs.com.This podcast is sponsored by Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production and their #ScienceHearted podcast, “Food Chain Chats.” Check it out to hear insights on how the food supply chain is taking their experiences from 2020 disruptions into 2021. Subscribe wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

Welcome to this episode of Feedstuffs Swine Healthline, brought to you by Pharmgate Animal Health and focused on Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.M. hyo doesn’t have to be a part of pig production anymore. As we hear in this episode, elimination programs can be a cost-effective solution versus controlling this troublesome pathogen. Our guest is Dr. Amy Maschhoff, DVM, associate director of health for The Maschhoffs, LLC. Dr. Maschhoff earned her veterinary degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and began her career as herd veterinarian for The Maschhoffs. Now she serves in a more central role for The Maschhoff system, as well as supports the health assurance program for Acuity Genetics. Dr. Maschhoff also served on the National Pork Producers Council Swine Veterinarian Public Policy Advocacy Program. She is actively enrolled in the University of Illinois Swine Executive Veterinary Program. Dr. Maschhoff shares practical, on-farm experiences with eliminating M. hyo., the benefits of developing an elimination program, as well as the factors veterinarians should take into consideration when moving from M. hyo. control to elimination. She shares the lessons she has learned and will use in the future to improve elimination programs, as well as gilt monitoring programs. Thank you for listening to the podcast series, made possible by Pharmgate Animal Health.

On the heels of passing a $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill, the Biden Administration released details of a $2 trillion infrastructure initiative that would make massive investments in roads, bridges, inland waterways, rural broadband and other key pieces of the nation’s logistics and utilities grid of importance to agriculture. But will the nature of partisan Washington politics get in the way of good policy? What’s in the bill, and can it pass with anything resembling bipartisan support?In this episode we talk Farm Progress Policy Editor Jacqui Fatka about President Biden’s “American Jobs Plan” and how the agriculture community reacted to its far-reaching proposals. She’ll also describe how farm-state legislators of both parties are increasingly frustrated at the lack of bipartisanship inside the Beltway, and how that might lead to another reconciliation bill.You can read Jacqui’s latest Inside Washington column on what ag-focused legislators are doing about persistent congestion issues at U.S. ports at Feedstuffs.com. Also, join us April 15th in our new virtual community and events platform, Feedstuffs 365, for a discussion about the proposed merger of the Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern railways. Experts Max Fisher of the National Grain and Feed Association and Mike Steenhoek of the Soy Transportation Coalition will discuss what this merger means for the feed and grain industry.

The emergence of plant-based proteins and other would-be meat alternatives has many in the traditional animal protein industries concerned about losing market share among U.S. consumers. But what does the data actually tell us? How many consumers are willing to pay the premium price many plant-based proteins currently command at retail?In this episode we talk with Glynn Tonsor, a leading agricultural economist at Kansas State University, about research he and his colleagues conducted over the past year regarding consumer attitudes about beef and plant-based meat alternatives.Among the study's key findings, the researchers learned that consumers who regularly eat beef said they are willing to pay nearly $2 more per meal for a beef burger rather than the plant-based alternative, when dining at a restaurant. On the flip-side, those who have a preference for plant-based protein alternatives are equally passionate, saying they would be willing to pay $1.48 more per meal.We’ll also hear why Tonsor isn’t overly concerned about animal-derived proteins losing market share, and what the literature tells us about who prefers plant-based, and who would rather have the real deal.Read the full study and an executive summary.

Infrastructure – namely, the ability to quickly and efficiently transport commodities and other goods – has been a competitive advantage for a number of U.S. industries, especially agriculture. From our inland waterways to our extensive network of highways, the U.S. farmer, livestock producer and agribusiness professional has benefited for centuries from the best overall logistics infrastructure in the world.Unfortunately, in recent decades the country has failed to keep pace with maintaining and modernizing our infrastructure, and unless something changes soon, that long-held competitive advantage could quickly become a relative disadvantage.In this episode we talk with Max Fisher, Vice President of Economics and Government Relations for the National Grain and Feed Association, about the state of infrastructure policy proposals, and what lies ahead with a new Congress and a new administration.This episode of Feedstuffs In Focus is sponsored by United Animal Health, a leader in animal health and nutrition. You can learn more about United Animal Health and how they are working to advance animal science worldwide by visiting their website UnitedANH.com.

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae has a complex interaction with a pig’s immune system. Understanding this response is essential to recognizing the pathogen’s role in respiratory disease, as well as treatment and prevention decisions.Welcome to the third of four episodes of Feedstuffs Swine Healthline, brought to you by Pharmgate Animal Health and focused on Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.Our guest is Dr. Dominiek Maes with the Ghent University Porcine Health Unit in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. A veterinarian by training, Dr. Maes specializes in different infectious diseases with emphasis on respiratory disease (in particular M. hyopneumoniae), along with research in sow management and reproduction. Internationally recognized for his expertise in these areas, he’s authored 310 publications in international peer-reviewed scientific journals and given 540 presentations during national and international conferences.

For those who spend too much time online, it may seem that farmers are frequently under the gun for a range of issues, from greenhouse gas emissions to GMOs. But despite the occasional hue and cry from some quarters, recent survey data suggests that the average consumer actually holds the U.S. farmer in relatively high regard.In this episode we talk with one of the leaders at the United Soybean Board about a recent consumer survey that found farmers rank as the most trusted members of the food supply chain. We'll also discuss how the soybean industry is working to quantify and promote on-farm efforts to combat climate change and produce a more sustainable animal food supply.Mace Thornton is Vice President of Communications and Marketing Strategy at the United Soybean Board, the farmer-led organization mandated with administering the farmer-funded soybean checkoff. Thornton explains what the Checkoff learned from its recent consumer survey, as well as what Checkoff-funded research is doing to help livestock and poultry producers answer the call to produce more sustainable meat, milk and eggs.This podcast is sponsored by Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production and their #ScienceHearted podcast, Food Chain Chats. Check it out to hear insights on how the food supply chain is taking their experiences from 2020 disruptions into 2021. Subscribe wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

Recent headlines have suggested that food prices are rising faster than inflation or incomes, prompting concerns that consumers struggling through a pandemic-racked economy may be spending more of their dollars to feed their families. But what is the data really saying – are we talking about retail grocery prices, food consumed away from home, or simply about rising commodity prices?In this episode we talk with Scott Irwin, the Laurence J. Norton Chair of Agricultural Marketing at the University of Illinois. His research on agricultural markets is widely cited by other academic researchers and is in high demand among market participants, policymakers, and the media. He is best known for his work on the impact of speculation in commodity markets.Irwin recently noted that headlines in consumer press about food price inflation are a bit misleading. In a wide-ranging interview, he peels apart the layers of the food price inflation discussion, and the related implications for farm and food policy. He also discusses the concept of a commodity market “supercycle,” if we are or are not entering one now, and prospects for general inflation over the next 3-5 years.For more information on this and other stories, visit  Feedstuffs  online.Follow Feedstuffs on Twitter @Feedstuffs, or join the conversation via Facebook.

Accurate detection of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection in live pigs is critical for timely disease control, but it is challenging. New, practical tools that improve upon or complement existing diagnostics can make a difference. Our guest is Dr. Maria Pieters, a faculty member with the Veterinary Population Medicine Department and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the College of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Minnesota. A veterinarian by training, she has dedicated more than 15 years of research efforts to defining and developing areas of diagnostics, epidemiology, and control of swine Mycoplasma species, with a special interest in disease elimination. She is the principal investigator of the UMN Mycoplasma Research Laboratory and an active member of the International Organization for Mycoplasmology. The podcast is brought to you by Pharmgate Animal Health.

At first glance, Donald Trump would not have appeared to be the type of politician rural Americans would identify with; a lifelong New York real estate developer, born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth, and with essentially zero experience dealing with agriculture or other issues of importance to those of us who live in “flyover country.”And yet, for the past four years the former President captivated the majority of voters across farm country and earned the overwhelming support of those involved in farming and agribusiness. Despite a crippling trade war with China, incremental gains from converting NAFTA to USMCA, and some not-insignificant slip-ups with small oil refineries weaseling out of the Renewable Fuels Standard, Trump made the connection with farm voters through his brash talk, push for deregulation and tax relief.So how do rural Americans feel about his successor, President Joe Biden?In this episode we talk with Mike Wilson, the executive editor of Farm Futures, about the magazine’s latest survey of farmers on their thoughts and fears about President Biden’s policies related to farming and agribusiness.

You know that Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is a primary pathogen in swine respiratory disease (SRD) complexes and a gateway to endemic health challenges. Jordi Mora of ECO Animal Health explains the impacts of M. hyo and swine respiratory disease in modern finishing operations and what swine health professionals can do to prepare for continuing challenges.This podcast is brought to you by Pharmgate Animal Health.

Technology drives so much of the modern economy. From app-based food ordering to online banking to the idea that someday we may be ferried about in autonomous vehicles, our lives are increasingly aided or driven by technological advancement. What about livestock production? Are food animal producers keeping pace with the developments in automation, innovation, big data or artificial intelligence?In this episode we talk with a pair of technological innovators in food animal production about the state of technology in barns, and what’s coming in the years to come.Jon Hoek is president of Summit SmartFarms, a company focused on the integration of human capital and technology solutions for protein producers. Jon and his colleagues work with livestock producers to better manage their animals and employees – and how the animals and employees interact. Scott Whitlock is President of Flexware Innovation, a 25-year old software and automation technology integrator.Scott grew up on a pig farm and uses his firm’s production and manufacturing integration experience to augment Summit’s focus on people, culture, and process.This episode of Feedstuffs In Focus is sponsored by Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production and their #ScienceHearted podcast, “Food Chain Chats.” Each episode is a #ScienceHearted discussion about the topics that matter most in the world of animal and food production—and food safety. Subscribe wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

Winter Storm Uri, the latest in a series of winter storms this month, pummeled much of the Heartland, from deep into Texas on through the High Plains and across the Midwest. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, more than 73% of the Lower 48 states was covered in snow by Wednesday — the largest snowcover for a single day since NOAA began tracking this data in 2003.With extreme cold temperatures lasting far longer than normal in several regions affected by the storm, the implications for livestock producers and marketers are significant. During a Feedstuffs 365 live panel this week, Dennis Smith with Archer Financial predicted that cattle slaughter will likely drop 40,000 head this week due to the situation. Although most of the issues with plant shutdowns are happening in Texas due to the significant strain placed on the state’s electric grid, plants in Kansas were also being idled, shut down, or slowed.In this episode we talk with Oklahoma State University agricultural economist Derrell Peel, who was – in his words – hunkered down due to the storm during our conversation. He provides some insights into what cattle and hog producers are up against, and what it might mean for cattle and hog slaughter, as well as how the extreme weather might affect consumer meat demand in the coming days.RELATED STORY: Winter Storm Uri batters agriculture supply chain

Last year was a record-setting year for U.S. pork exports. Sales abroad in 2020 were up 11% by volume and value increased 11% compared to 2019, according to recent data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. From January to December, 6.56 billion pounds of U.S. pork and pork variety meat, valued at $7.7 billion, were exported globally. Pork exports accounted for 29.3% of total U.S. pork production.In this episode we talk with a pair of pork industry experts on how the U.S. achieved these record-setting sales volumes and values, and what the road ahead looks like for the industry in 2021. First, we’ll hear from Dr. Clay Eastwood, Director of International Marketing for the National Pork Board, about how the Pork Checkoff and the U.S. Meat Export Federation navigated the uncharted waters of overseas marketing during a global pandemic.Later in the episode we’ll talk with noted agricultural economist Brett Stuart, founding partner of Global AgriTrends, about his analysis of what’s happening in China and his projections for 2021 pork exports. For more information on this and other stories, visit  Feedstuffs  online.Follow Feedstuffs on Twitter @Feedstuffs, or join the conversation via Facebook.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported last week that beef cattle inventories were slightly smaller than a year ago, but given long-term market trends, there may yet be too many cows producing too many calves to keep producers profitable over the long haul. Couple that with rising feed costs and a shifting policy situation in Washington, and it’s an interesting time — to put it mildly — to be in the animal protein business.In this episode of Feedstuffs In Focus we talk with a long-time animal protein analyst with one of the world’s leading agri-finance companies about what he took away from last week’s Cattle Inventory Report, and what the data means for beef, swine and poultry producers.Don Close is a senior animal protein analyst at Rabo AgriFinance in the RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness group. There he is responsible for analyzing all animal protein sectors with a specialization in beef. His extensive research experience includes confinement cow/calf operations, ground beef, and development in international trade.Close explains not only what we learned from the latest USDA data, but also what it means for beef, pork and poultry producers over the next year, including price implications and the possibility of shrinking profits given higher feed costs that could go higher yet. He also discusses his concerns for ag-related policies from a new administration and how they could affect producers out in the countryside.This episode of Feedstuffs In Focus is sponsored by United Animal Health, a leader in animal health and nutrition. You can learn more about United Animal Health and how they are working to advance animal science worldwide by visiting their website UnitedANH.com.