Swine producers growing pork and power
Nearly 2 million pigs in Missouri are on track to supply enough manure to create 2.2 billion cubic feet of renewable natural gas (RNG) annually — equivalent to 17 million gallons of diesel fuel — as part of Smithfield Foods’ $120 million waste-to-energy (WTE) project. “This is not just about converting the manure from almost 2 million pigs into renewable energy,” explained Rudi Roeslein, found and president of Roeslein Alternative Energy. “It’s about taking environmental sustainability to a new level.”
Infographic: Pig farming guide from start to finish
Pork producers face public scrutiny of their operations, such as a recent series of articles on Illinois' pig production in the Chicago Tribune. Yet, the general public often remains unaware of the steps involved in pig farming or the choices farmers face at each stage of that process.
How will global pig markets react to changes in Russia?
With domestic production, an emphasis on sustainability and exports growing, Russia is poised to become an even more important player in the global pig market. As Russia rises, and Brazil benefits from opportunities created by Russia’s embargo on US, EU and Canadian pork products, how will the balance of power continue to shift in the years ahead?
Benefits of castration alternative presented at global pig-health event
Cutting castration in favor of a novel alternative can significantly boost pig performance and meat quality, while also reducing welfare and behavioral concerns. Speaking at IPVS 2016, pig consultant Steve Pollmann said the alternative — a pharmaceutical product that works like a vaccine to temporarily delay puberty in male pigs — has an estimated net value of $5.00 to $6.50 per head.
Sustainable animal feed practices can boost bottom line
Sustainable practices are not only beneficial to the environment in the long term, but also to the participating companies' bottom line in the short term. This combined benefit is why the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) believes sustainability is important for animal feed manufacturers.
Planting trees boosts pig farms’ sustainability
According to one woodland conservation organization, there’s a very simple way for pig producers to make their operations more sustainable: Plant more trees.“When managed correctly, trees can be hugely beneficial to livestock units,” says Helen Cheshire of the UK’s Woodland Trust.