Chinese pork prices have finally picked up the pace through the spring and into summer – a growth spurred by tighter pig supplies and stronger consumer demand. Now, authorities are encouraging producers to maintain production and release stocks in an attempt to curb price inflation.

• Demand is still affected by the uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation, as restrictions remain in certain parts of the country.

The Chinese government recently announced that pork brought into storage would be r...

Supporters of the Ag labor reform were again calling on the Senate to take up the Workforce Modernization Act in a press conference at Capitol Hill on September 15. Members urged for a solution for the growing food crisis and increasing prices, while action has been stalled awaiting a bill from Senators Mike Crapo and Michael Bennet.

• The Farm Workforce Modernization Act is to create a workforce solution for America’s agriculture industry (check out more about it here).  
• By creating a secure...

Researchers at Teagasc, the University of Leon, and the University of Murcia are gaining a better understanding of piglets without even touching them. How’s that possible? By studying milk, feces, and saliva!

• Here’s a quick picture: accelerating piglets’ independence from the sow involves specialized management, supplementary food, and sometimes, veterinary support through the use of antibiotics. So having a good understanding of what happens during these three to four weeks is key.

Since ...

Fiber is an essential component of sow diets – but historically, there’s been little information available on the recommended dietary requirement. 

• Compared to global markets, sow diets in the US typically contain lower levels of total dietary fiber (TDF).  
• Moreover, experiments with gestating sows in Europe have demonstrated that increasing TDF pre-farrow can improve sow productivity and pre-weaning piglet performance.
• So, it’s quite possible there is a limitation of daily fiber intake in...

This is no pirate movie and we’re not talking about that kind of ship. But thanks to a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey to unblock Ukrainian seaports (a situation which we mentioned briefly here), a total of 165 ships with 3.7 million tonnes of agricultural products on board have left the Ukrainian shore.

• Ukraine used to be a major global grain producer and exporter, but exports slumped after Russia invaded the country and blockaded its Black Seaports, driving up global food pri...

There are a ton of areas in the swine industry where you can be an asset. Working in a feed mill is another example of being a critical step in the industry without having to actually work directly with pigs. In this episode, I talk with Victoria Wilson about her work as a feed mill coordinator and her experiences getting involved in swine production with no prior swine experience.

What you will learn:

1. Grain receiving at the mill

2. Mycotoxin levels

3. NIR Scanning

4. Pelleting...

Farm Foundation, an accelerator of practical solutions for agriculture, has recently published two issue reports focused on trade – one on the trade deal with China and the other, on the agricultural component of the European Green Deal known as Farm to Fork.

• They provide context for geopolitical dynamics, and insights on all levels of the industry – applicable in a broad manner.
• The first report is a summary of insights gained from agriculture stakeholders on the future of US agricultural t...