Pig Farms Rebound From Virus; Meat Prices May Drop

[Purveyor]

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A virus that killed millions of baby pigs in the last year and led to higher pork prices has waned thanks to warmer weather and farmers' efforts to sterilize their operations. And as pigs' numbers increase, sticker shock on things like bacon should ease.

Already, hog supplies are on the rise, with 5.46 million baby pigs born between June and August in Iowa, the nation's leading producer — the highest quarterly total in 20 years and a record 10.7 surviving pigs per litter, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report.

It's a significant turnaround from a year ago when the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus was wiping out entire litters. Since the virus first showed up, the federal government rushed to give conditional approval for a vaccine and those in the industry began taking precautions, such as disinfecting trucks, equipment and clothing.

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This year's anticipated record-breaking corn and soybean harvests are playing a role in increased producer profits as well, because of a drop in the cost of feed.

more...

http://www.sfgate.com/news/texas/article/Pig-farms-rebound-from-virus-meat-prices-may-drop-5816329.php

Beef and chicken prices should also see a drop with this lower feed cost.

[Vattel]

1. Too bad they didn't get driven out of business

[murielm99]

2. Why would you say that? n/t

[Vattel]

3. Pig farming is cruel

[murielm99]

4. You know this from firsthand experience?

I live in a pork producing area. I know many hog farmers, and I disagree with you.

How many hog operations have you visited?

[flvegan]

8. Jesus.

These hog farmer pals of yours, I'm sure they run nice little farms where the piggies get to frolic and feed on whatever they find tasty to them in wide open spaces. Certainly no CAFOs there or elsewhere in your pork producing area, eh? No gestation crates? None?

If your known hog farmers are good stewards of the animals and the environment, then I applaud them. You'll have to forgive my doubt in advance, though. Tell me about these hog farmers you know as well as their operations. I'd love to hear all the details. Convince me, please?

I've never had the opportunity to visit a hog CAFO. But then they don't normally allow animal activists nor non-apologists onto the grounds (not that it always stops them*). One doesn't need "firsthand experience" when a suitable amount of evidence exists.



*Tip of the cap to Mercy for Animals.

[murielm99]

9. It is always refreshing to see how much more

animal activists know about farming than the people who work daily with animals, veterinarians and even animal behaviorists. You people never cease to amaze me with your knowledge!

Do you know anything about hog behavior? How aggressive sows can be toward one another? Hog farrowing? Diseases? Do you know how susceptible they can be to the weather?

Just where would you have all these little piggies roam? Should they be totally unfenced? Do you know whether or not they are destructive, or a hazard to other animals or humans? Just what are all these goodies you would have them eat? Do you know WHAT they eat?

We have several types of hog farmers in our area. Some have large operations where they confine the hogs to pens. Others, mainly family farmers, do not. There are even some who have heritage hogs. There is controversy in the business, certainly. The farmers do not even agree with each other. Family farmers become angry, saying that they are being forced out by large businesses. Some places do not welcome heritage breeds. I think there is room for all types. The large breeder operations are necessary to meet the demand and to keep prices reasonable for consumers. I see a lot of DUers who love their bacon.

I do not have a problem with confinement pens. The farms I have seen are clean, and the animals are certainly not mistreated, in spite of your belief it is cruel. They are well cared for. These types of farms are regulated.

Poor you, that you are not allowed to run rampant all over someone else's private property and business. I am sure you would just love it if people came to your yard, trampled all over, took pictures, pried open your garbage cans, snooped in your garage.

If you don't like the way pork is raised, don't eat it.

I wonder if you understand how agriculture works at all. We have a family farm. We do not farm it ourselves any more. We have two operators who farm for us. We used to have hogs, but no more than a dozen or so at a time. We had feeder cattle too, but not now. We did that when my father-in-law was still alive. He always liked to have some livestock. We always had to have outside jobs to make ends meet. Often, by the time taxes and expenses were met, there was about as much profit as a person could make in a year working at MacDonald's. That is still true. Try living on it, Mr. Expert.

[flvegan]

10. Not as refreshing as it is to see once again someone dodge simple questions.

Once again, you made a statement earlier. Back it up.

Tell me about these "large operations where they confine hogs to pens" and have you visited them?

Don't be so defensive, and just answer the simple questions you brought upon yourself. I ("Mr. Expert" LOFL) will wait...

Oh, and as for not liking how pork is raised and not eating it? Captain Obvious called and said to check the poster's name.

[murielm99]

11. Yes, I have visited them.

And if you don't like my answers, this is all you are going to get. I stated my opinion, you stated yours. We will not agree.

[yeoman6987]

5. I am thrilled to see a drop in prices of meat

I would like to see a drop in the price of milk too.

[Aerows]

7. No kidding.

Milk is through the roof!

[Historic NY]

6. BACON....