U.S. packers and swine feeders have looked for ways to maneuver around the MCOOL legislation and have found there to be some different ways. One such way is that “B” labeled or “canadian” pigs are shipped on certain days to certain packing plants and the subsequent products are moved within the foodservice and export markets where labeling is not required. This enables shackle space for the importing of 75,000 to 80,000 head of pigs per week on average into the U.S. at time of marketing. And according to economist Steve Meyer, Ph.D. Paragon Economics, that number of imported pigs is reasonable but all hinges on what the Canadian sow herd numbers will settle at when stability returns. No doubt it will be lower than what we have seen in the past but at what level we do not yet know.

A few weeks ago there was a third congressional hearing in a series that focused on the controversial subject of antibiotic resistance and its use in animal production. This subject has had some heat applied to it as there is pressure on the subcommittee to pass legislation as it relates to dangers in the health of people and animals in conjunction with antibiotics as was reported in Feedstuffs. Remain informed of the issues concerning antibiotic use in swine as it pertains to treatments in their feed and water sources by checking in from time to time on this website. We will continue to update you as new information is available to us.

Please use common sense when medicating your herds. We do not want to be the next negative “front page” story in the news.

On the flip side, please share your story with the uninformed as society today is becoming further and further removed from livestock and agriculture in general. Case in point: While inspecting a herd in NE Iowa this past week, I was told an interesting story by the feeder. A few days earlier when the 50 lb. feeder pigs were unloaded into the freshly cleaned confinement, an extended family member visiting from another town close by in Iowa watched through the netting on the curtain side of the barn. They were fascinated by the whole ordeal and did not leave once while the work was being completed. After the truck left and the feeder was size sorting the pigs he was asked a question by his visitor if the swinging things in the pens were where the pigs were fed their milk!

Have a great August and stay safe as our children are returning to school and harvest time will be here before we know it!