Press releases - News

TOPIGS researchers have found a series of SNPs that define a genetic region which explains genetic variation for litter size and uniformity between litters.

China was the largest volume market for U.S. pork in October at 48,678 metric tons, more than double the year-ago volume and setting another monthly record.

Mexico is experiencing an increase in wealth, which has a direct result on meat consumption and corresponds to a growing demand for feed and related products and services.

It is important to position thermometers in a representative area of the house. Passageways under air inlets may not reflect temperatures experienced at pig level.

TOPIGS has successfully imported 1003 top breeding pigs to China. These animals originate from TOPIGS nucleus farms in Canada. The great grandparent pigs are the top of the TOPIGS breeding pyramid and have the highest SPF health status.

World class genetics, backed by advanced technical support, has clinched a major franchise contract for UK based JSR Genetics, in the form of a new breeding company, JSR Hybrid Deutschland GmbH.

Agricultural scientist and lawyer, Kathryn Adams, has been appointed as an Independent Director to the Board of the CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork, replacing Nigel Smith who retired after serving for a total of four years on the boards of this CRC and its predecessor, the CRC for an Internationally Competitive Pork Industry.

“Efficient feed conversion is the most important economic trait in pig production yet, as an industry, we are quite poor at measuring it,” Ed Sutcliffe, geneticist and technical director of pig-breeding company ACMC told a meeting of Northamptonshire Quality Pig Producers’ Association at Moulton College, near Northampton.

While brand names are of increasing importance to global consumers looking for quality and consistency, small companies often have an uphill battle promoting their brand names to international buyers.

A vaccine program can help prevent many potential problems for producers. However, if vaccines aren't stored and handled correctly, the program can be ineffective.

Virbac has entered into a new strategic alliance in food-producing animals vaccines, by setting up a joint-venture with the Taiwanese company Schweitzer Biotech Company (SBC).

Dempster's, Canada's Bakery, is launching a new advertising campaign featuring hockey star Sidney Crosby. The campaign, which focuses on the importance of eating healthy, nutritious grains as part of a balanced diet, will feature television commercials along with in-store and online promotional giveaways.

Lee Whittington, President of Prairie Swine Centre, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Kenneth Engele to the management team. Meeting the needs of pork producers, service sectors, and industry associations through the delivery of a timely and effective Technology Transfer program has been a crucial part of Prairie Swine Centre’s success.

Led by a record-breaking month for pork exports to China and the continued rebound of beef exports to Mexico, 2011 remains on pace to set new annual records for the value of beef, pork and lamb exports,

OJSC Cherkizovo Group, one of Russia's leading integrated and diversified meat producers, announces the commencement of production at three new complexes within its pork segment.

The Smithfield Packing Company, Inc., a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, Inc., announced today that it would shift production from its Portsmouth, Virginia plant to Kinston, North Carolina and permanently close the Portsmouth facility in early 2013. The Portsmouth plant produces hot dogs and lunchmeat.

PIC has completed delivery of 2,300 grandparent stock from Canada to franchise partner, PIC Korea. The elite breeding pigs were flown in 3 shipments to supplement local supply in populating large-scale multiplier farms owned by Korea’s largest independent producer, Sansugol.

Ajinomoto Animal Nutrition Group, Inc., wholly owned by Ajinomoto Co., Inc. is planning to expand the animal nutrition business in the next 4-5 years. AANG will reinforce its production capacity of feed-use amino acids by adding 150 KMT L-Lysine, 80 KMT L-Threonine and 7 KMT L-Tryptophan, utilizing next generation innovative fermentation technologies. AANG will also develop a wider range of feed-use amino acid products for nutrition, and accelerate the development of these value-added products for its customers.

Merck Animal Health announced today that it has received positive opinion from the CVMP in the European Union for PANACUR® AquaSol, a suspension for use in drinking water indicated for the treatment and control of gastro-intestinal nematodes.

Two young workers progressing to management on a Midlands outdoor pig unit and on a Suffolk duck farm are the winners of the 2011 Pfizer Trainees of the Year Awards.

Dr. Harry Kaiser, a Cornell University economist, presented the findings of his recently completed study on the effectiveness of USMEF’s foreign marketing efforts.

Monitoring should be used as a useful management tool. A drop in feed or water consumption could predict an outbreak of disease allowing early intervention.

For a sow’s mammary gland to work efficiently it should have been suckled in the previous lactation, says Paul Thompson, veterinary consultant to pig-breeding company, ACMC Ltd.