Jim Eadie

The 38th annual World Pork Expo wrapped up its highly successful two-day run at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, drawing over 10,000 swine producers and industry professionals from 33 countries. Presented by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), the premier event showcased nearly 400 commercial exhibits spanning the world’s largest pork-specific trade show floor. While economic forecasting and standard networking anchored the hospitality tents, the primary focus among attendees rapidly shifted toward a massive digital transformation aimed at maximizing labor efficiency.

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As concerns grow over the northward spread of New World Screwworm, Elanco Animal Health is reaffirming its commitment to supporting U.S. livestock producers. Pat Hoffmann, DVM – Swine Technical Consultant Elanco Animal Health, highlights the importance of vigilance, early detection, and industry collaboration to protect animal health and minimize economic impacts. Through education, technical expertise, and producer support, Elanco continues to work alongside the livestock industry to help prevent and respond to emerging animal health threats.

The commodity markets threw cold water on early summer optimism this week as Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lean hog futures continued their downward slide. Benchmark contracts slipped to a disappointing 96.63 cents per pound, extending a persistent technical decline that has wiped out nearly 2% of the market’s value over the past month. The aggressive bearish momentum reflects a broad wave of long-liquidation by managed-money funds, who continue to systematically slash their net-long exposure amid technical profit-taking.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to be one of the most significant challenges facing both animal agriculture and public health, making efforts to reduce antimicrobial use and improve disease prevention a growing priority across the global pork industry.

As grilling season heats up across North America, Prairie Fresh is taking a unique approach to consumer engagement with the launch of its new Barbecue Personality Quiz, an interactive tool designed to help backyard cooks discover their grilling style while building confidence in preparing pork.

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or most farmers, nailing down a precise cost of production per acre is a difficult task. Although broad ranges, informed guesses, and averages from several previous years are helpful, tight margin years emphasize the need for precise cost accounting.

While recent headlines have focused on South Dakota’s approval of a nearly $30 million sales tax rebate for Smithfield Foods, the bigger story for pork producers is the company’s $1.3 billion commitment to a new state-of-the-art processing and packaged meats facility in Sioux Falls.

The global pork export landscape experienced a major structural shift this week following an announcement that Chinese authorities have officially recognized the entire territory of Brazil as free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Celebrated heavily by the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA), this regulatory breakthrough significantly elevates sanitary trust between the two nations. Prior to this decision, only the state of Santa Catarina held the elite FMD-free status required by Beijing, heavily limiting the geographical footprint of Brazil’s export-ready plants.