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Pork
Exports – A Glimmer of Hope
This week’s news regarding March pork exports was a
bright light among a great deal of recent darkness. Part of that
darkness, of course, involves the impact of H1N1 influenza A virus on
U.S. exports in late April and May. We should not and cannot overlook
the fact that shipments to Russia, Mexico, and at least the direct
shipments to China, have been hurt. But we must also recognize that
U.S. pork exports have been much more buoyant than most had expected
given the world economic climate. Let’s celebrate some good news when
we can!
March pork exports amounted to 369.5 million pounds, carcass weight,
which is 2.2% higher than in March 2008. That level of exports not only
exceeds the 2004-2007 trend – a trend line that excludes last year’s
excellent performance – but also exceeds the longer-term trend curve
that includes 2008 data (see Figure 1).
Recall that if 2009 exports just match the ’04-’07 trend, we will be
roughly 15% below 2008 export levels. Through March, ’09 exports had
sharply exceeded that level of performance. March exports brought
year-to-date shipments to 1.033 billion pounds. That is still 6.6%
lower than 2008 shipments, but it represents a marked improvement from
the February year-to-date (YTD) figure of -10.8%.
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Semen
Quality’s Impact on Farrowing Rate
Farrowing rate is one of the Key Performance Indicators
(KPIs) used in the Swine Management Services’ (SMS) database. It also
has one of the flattest KPI bell curves (Chart 1) in the database.
There are three main variables that impact the success of a
mating/service – the sow (gilt), semen and the artificial insemination
(A.I.) technician. We refer to these variables as the SMS Fertility
Triangle. This week we will focus on semen quality.
Semen quality can be affected by many variables, such as on-farm
collection vs. purchased semen, semen transport method, semen receiving
procedures, temperature of semen at delivery, on-farm handling and
storage, temperature control of semen storage unit, type of semen
extender, age of semen at insemination, volume of semen/dose, individual
boar vs. pooled semen, biosecurity, etc.
To effectively evaluate the quality of the semen, the following
information is needed: - Breeding information records:
sow/gilt identification, semen batch code, insemination technician name
or number and time of insemination (military time
1-24).
FULL ARTICLE
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Energy
Cap-and-Trade Agreement
Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA), chairman of the House
Energy and Commerce Committee, announced various details of an agreement
by committee Democrats on provisions of the “American Clean Energy and
Security Act of 2009.” This is the major energy cap-and-trade bill
that the House of Representatives plans to consider this summer.
According to Congressman Waxman, the agreement provides for a combined
20% renewable energy and energy efficiency standard by 2020. Utilities
would be required to obtain 15% of their electricity from renewable
energy sources and demonstrate annual electricity savings of 5% from
energy efficiency measures by 2020. If the governor determines that
utilities in the state cannot meet the 15% renewable requirement, he/she
may reduce the renewable requirement to 12% and increase the efficiency
requirement by 8%. Under the agreement, the automobile industries will
be provided incentives to make electric and advance-technology vehicles.
Energy-intensive industries that compete in global markets will be
provided incentives to improve their energy efficiency, as well as
assistance to address the costs of transitioning to clean energy
economy. Negotiations continue among Democrats. Currently, committee
Republicans plan to offer dozens of amendments during committee
consideration of the bill next week. They also plan to introduce their
own energy bill, which will place more emphasis on traditional domestic
energy production. Agricultural groups are waiting to see the final
details of the bill.
FULL ARTICLE
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H1N1
(Swine) Flu Strain is not From Mexican Hog Farm
The H1N1 (swine) flu strain that has infected almost 4,300
people in 33 countries did not come from hogs at a Smithfield Foods operation
in Mexico, according to Mexico’s agriculture department.
Test results released May 14 by the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture,
Ranching, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food confirmed that the H1N1 influenza A
virus was not found in pigs at the Granjas Carroll de Mexico farm
in Veracruz. The pigs also tested negative for other viruses.
National Pork Producers
Council (NPPC) welcomed the news, but said the damage to the U.S.
pork industry by wrongfully labeling the strain “swine” flu has
already been done.
FULL ARTICLE
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June 2, 2009: Swine Handling & Transport Forum, Des
Moines Marriott-Downtown,
Des Moines, IA; sponsored by National Hog Farmer, National Pork
Producers Council and National Pork Board. For details, go to
www.pork.org.
June 3-5, 2009 World Pork Expo, Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des
Moines, IA. For
details go to: www.pork.org.
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Swine Handling & Transport Forum – Des Moines Marriott
Downtown – Des Moines, IA – June 2, 2009
The forum will provide pork producers, swine handlers and transporters
with current information about the handling, transportation and
marketing of pigs. Presented by the Pork Checkoff, National Hog
Farmer and the National Pork Producers Council. Visit pork.org for more information.
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