The main condition for introducing replacement cattle into the main herd is acclimatization. Firstly, it helps to protect the farm from disease outbreaks that are already present on the farm. Secondly, it prevents the introduction of new ones by making sure that the purchased animals will not be carriers and will not secrete the virus at the time of introduction to the herd. Accordingly, acclimatization, in addition to familiarizing newly acquired pigs with infections present on the farm, involves quarantine — isolation of animals from the main herd in order to prevent the introduction of new diseases.

The Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders with the support of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), held 5 modules of the online school for veterinary specialists of pig farms.

In October 2023, the average value of the FAO Food Price Index was 120.6 points, which is 0.7 points (0.5%) lower than in September, indicating a continuing downward trend. The index was also 14.8 points (10.9%) lower than the corresponding figure for the same period last year. This slight decline in October reflects a fall in the price indices for sugar, cereals, vegetable oils and meat. At the same time, the price index for dairy products has moved to growth, ProAgro Group reports, citing the October report of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has amended the Procedure for Providing Microgrants for Starting or Developing a Business. The innovations expand the possibilities for using grant funds, reduce the number of documents required to be submitted to the bank to confirm expenses, abolish the maximum amount of grants to be provided during one application period, and clarify a number of provisions for veteran entrepreneurs, which simplify the receipt and use of grant funds. The Government adopted the relevant decision at a meeting on November 7, 2023.

russian pork exports to China could reach up to 100 thousand tons in the first few years.

Jim Long Pork Commentary – November 6, 2023

Exports from January to September totaled 999,000 tons, 16% less than during the same period of the previous year.

Recognition by the EU had been expected for months.

Sales of antibiotics for use in food-producing animals fell by 9% last year and have reduced by 59% since 2014.

Brazil maintains its global leadership in the cost of pork production per kilogram among 17 countries. In 2022, the production cost per kilogram of live pork was $1.28 in Santa Catarina and $1.13 in Mato Grosso. Despite a 10% and 12% increase in the two states, respectively, compared to 2021, these values are still lower than in the United States ($1.42 per kilogram), Denmark ($1.49), Spain ($1.66), Netherlands ($1.74), and Germany ($1.83). The average cost among the 17 countries in the InterPIG network is $1.72 per kilogram.

The pork production in Europe continues its steady decline. In the first 7 months of 2023, pork production in the EU-27 countries totalled 11.9 million tonnes. That is 8% less than in the same period last year. This marks the second year in a row of production decline, as production for 2023 is down by over 10% from the 5-year average. The EU commissions latest forecast for pig meat production in 2023 is that the year ends with 6.6 less%.

While Canada is free of African swine fever (ASF) and has never had a reported case of this devastating disease, prevention and preparation for its potential introduction into Canada is necessary for protecting Canadian pigs and the pork industry.

The threat level of African Swine Fever (ASF) in North America is very high. As a consequence, there are continued strenuous efforts across the industry, academia and the government to prevent the entry of ASF. One of them is a new model.

Researchers in China studied the effect of bone mineral density on lameness in boars and found that all types of claw lesions can affect lameness, with boars with ankle edema having the highest lameness rates.

Seventy-five percent of pig farms have implemented the best available techniques to reduce emissions levels at their facilities.

Jim Long Pork Commentary – October 9, 2023

Over 12,000 domestic pigs on five large farms have been affected by African swine fever outbreaks.

The three opposition parties likely to unseat Poland’s current ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party could be disrupted by a list of demands from farmers’ unions, known as the ‘Agricultural Twelve’.

Increased Canadian consumption has been a positive for pork producers, however, this has also been the result of lower export volumes, according to a recent US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report.

Wallonia is once again taking measures against the overpopulation of wild boars that they have been struggling with for years in the south of the country.