Secretary Veneman Appoints Task Force
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced the appointment of eight members to the Research, Education and Economics Task Force created by the 2002 Farm Bill to conduct a review of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and to evaluate the merits of establishing one or more National Institutes focused on disciplines important to the progress of food and agricultural science. Click here for USDA news release identifying members. Back to Top

"Matrix" Approved by IEC
The Iowa Environmental Commission approved a sweeping new scoring system that would be used by counties to decide where livestock operations can be located. The commission approved the so-called "matrix," which lists dozens of actions developers can take to cut water and air pollution and to protect community interests. The system is part of a broad-based set of livestock regulations approved by lawmakers last year. The matrix still must be approved by the Iowa Administrative Rules Review Committee, which is made up of lawmakers. The system has to be in place by March 1. Commissioners struggled over how to balance the need to protect the environment while avoiding economic damage to one of Iowa's biggest industries. Click here to read the Des Moines Register article, click here to read the Iowa Pork Producers Association comments on the matrix as it was proposed. Back to Top

New Finding Challenges Prevailing Theory
While for years it has been hypothesized that meat consumption is associated with breast cancer, a new study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), which follwed 88,647 women for 18 years, provides compelling evidence that diets high in animal protein may not be significantly associated with breast cancer risk. BWH is a 716-bed nonprofit teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School and is internationally recognized as a leading academic health care institution. Click here for a news release of the study results. Back to Top

EPA Releases Innovative Approach to Clean Water
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christie Whitman announced a new Water Quality Trading Policy to cut industrial, municipal and agricultural discharges into the nation's waterways. The trading policy seeks to support and encourage states and tribes in developing and putting into place water quality trading programs that implement the requirements of the Clean Water and federal regulations in more flexible ways and reduce the cost of improving and maintaining the quality of the nation's waters. The policy will help increase the pace and success of cleaning up impaired rivers, streams and lakes throughout the country. Click here for news release, here for complete policy, and here for fact sheet. Back to Top

Great Lakes Pork Cooperative Makes Plans
The Great Lakes Pork Cooperative (GLPC) is moving towards a potential investment opportunity for pork producers in the three states of Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. The group, organized three years ago, is looking at purchasing a processing facility in South Bend, Indiana. Click here for the OPPC news release. Back to Top

Publications Guide Livestock Waste Use, Disposal
Farmers who wish to stay current on governmental guidelines when handling manure can get the information they need in a new series of publications developed jointly by Purdue and Michigan State universities. The 12 publications in the "Best Environmental Management Practices: Farm Animal Production" series address everything from nutrition management to keeping non-farm neighbors happy. The publications are available free of charge or for a modest fee from the Purdue Media Distribution Center. Click here to access the news release or order by calling MDC toll free at 888/398-4636. Back to Top

Senate Deliberations Affecting Pork Industry
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) co-sponsored a mandatory arbitration bill that would affect production contracts and another bill that would effectively ban meat-packers' ability to own and control livestock. Click here for Ohio Pork Producers Council January 13th news notes. Back to Top

Housing Study Continues on Sow Performance
The effects of swine gestation housing on sow and litter performance were evaluated at Iowa State University’s Swine Research and Demonstration Farm. Two systems were compared: 1)individual crates in a mechanically ventilated, partially slatted, manure flush confinement building (CRATE); and 2) group pens in deep-bedded, naturally ventilated hoop structures (HOOP). The HOOP sows were fed in individual feed stalls. Click here for a report on this on-going study. Back to Top

Census of Agriculture Forms Due February 3
Farmers and ranchers across the Nation are completing report forms to make sure they are counted in the 2002 Census of Agriculture. To learn the many reasons the census is vital to agriculture click here. For help completing the form, call toll free 1-888-424-7828. Census results will be released on February 3, 2004. For results from previous censuses and hundreds of current agricultural statistics, go to www.usda.gov/nass. By responding to the census, every farmer and rancher will help make it known – agriculture counts! Back to Top

Transgenic Animals: A Breakthrough in Science
Recent discoveries about the genetic code of animals could be used to raise pigs, cattle and shrimp more efficiently, resulting in significant economic gains for the worldwide meat industry, according to a story in Wired magazine. Click here for NPPC news release. Back to Top

Checkoff Investments Make a Difference
According to recent news releases by the National Pork Board, another 220 new pork retail products became available from January to October of 2002, the “El Cerdo es Bueno” campaign is having positive results on healthy perceptions of pork in the Hispanic community, and people purchasing pork products look first at price, meat quality and personal and safety. Click here for full news releases. Back to Top

Land O'Lakes Feed Research Facilities Moved
Today Land O’Lakes announced plans to consolidate and focus its feed research facilities into its St. Louis, Missouri location. Current basic feed research at Ft. Dodge, Iowa and Kansas City will relocate to St. Louis. Click here to access news release. Back to Top

International Leader in Swine Vet Science Dies
On Saturday January 4, 2003 Mike Muirhead passed away in Hull Royal Infirmary. Dr. Muirhead was known for his tireless work in the Swine Veterinary Profession over the past 30 or so years. In addition to his many awards, he was the main author of 3 books on swine health, including the renowned 600 page tome Managing Pig Health and the Treatment of Disease - A reference for the farm. His technical expertise was also the driving force in the development of the web site, ThePigSite.com Click here to access his son's tribute. Back to Top

New Chair of House Ag Committee
Congressman Bob Goodlatte was elected by the House Republican Conference to serve as Chairman of the full House Agriculture Committee. His chairmanship is effective immediately. Click here for news release. Back to Top

Cloned Pig Research Report
Researchers at Texas A&M University compared the behavior of two litters of cloned pigs to two litters of "control" pigs in tests that measured the variation in food preference, temperament and how pigs spend their time. Click here to access the Texas A&M news release. Back to Top

AMI Releases Video Training in Spanish
Good Animal Handling Practices for Pork Processors, a training video designed by the American Meat Institute and released in 1999, explains both how to handle and stun animals effectively, and how to develop a self-audit system to ensure continued progress in animal handling. Sample audit and tracking sheets are provided with the tape to facilitate the development of a self-audit program. This video is now available from AMI in Spanish. Click here to access the AMI fact sheet. Back to Top

CME Pork Scholarship Program
Since 1990, the CME Pork Industry Scholarship Program has recognized outstanding youth in the pork community. At the Pork Industry Forum in Dallas, Texas, March 6-8, 2003, four $2,500 scholarships will be awarded to students who intend to pursue a career in the pork industry. All entries must be postmarked by January 15, 2003. Essays will be judged on the basis of clarity of expression, persuasiveness, originality and relevance of topic. For eligibility and details, click here. Back to Top

Midwest Women in Ag Conference
The 2003 Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference is scheduled for March 11-12 at Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, Indiana. Designed by the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service to meet the needs of women in farming and agribusiness, this conference will feature two keynote speakers, educational sessions and networking opportunities for women in agriculture. "Women operate 9 percent of American farms, according to the most recent Census of Agriculture, and that number is growing," said Kelly Easterday, contact for the program. "They're making more and more decisions regarding the farm. This conference will help them address personal, family and farm issues." Click here for details. Back to Top

Around Ohio with the Ohio Livestock Coalition
According to David White, Executive Director of OLC, two meetings are planned to explain, review and discuss the new CAFO rules, which should go into effect about the middle of January 2003. Both meetings will feature Steve Jann, director of the US EPA's Region V office in Chicago. Livestock, dairy and poultry producers are invited to attend either January 21st or 22nd. Click here for the December 23rd news release, here for the January 2nd news release. Back to Top

Initial Results of OSU Study Reported
More than 70 percent of Ohioans who say they are familiar with issues pertaining to large-scale poultry and livestock facilities are concerned that the farms pose a threat to Ohio's water and stream quality, according to Jeff Sharp, OSU assistant professor of rural sociology and one of the lead investigators of the survey, who presented initial findings of the study at a conference on December 12th. Sharp also reported that the large scale-poultry and livestock issue currently appears to be a regional issue in the state. Not surprisingly, respondents' views of the livestock issue and other agricultural issues is often colored by how closely linked they are to farming. Click here for complete news release. Back to Top

National Pork Industry Forum
The National Pork Industry Forum is scheduled for March 6-8 in Dallas, Texas. Pork Act Delegates will discuss Pork Checkoff business Friday and Saturday mornings. They will elect and rank nominees for Pork Board members, select members of the Pork Checkoff nominating committee, and determine the outcome of resolutions presented by state associations. The mandatory checkoff rate, a national ID plan, science in animal welfare debates, promotion of pork products, and antibiotic resistance debates are a few of the issues to be addressed. To get an broader view of the scope and details of business to be discussed, go to http://www.porkboard.org/PorkForum/default.asp. To access a listing of appointed members representing pork producers by state, go to http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2003/02/0056.htm. Back to Top

Make Agriculture Count!
2002 Census of Agriculture response rates are lagging behind previous censuses, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Every response counts to produce quality data. “We are now starting to intensify our data collection efforts, which require more expensive methods such as telephone calls and personal visits. Producers can help keep down the cost of the census by returning their forms by mail,” said NASS Administrator Ron Bosecker. NASS wants farmers, ranchers and agriculturalists from every sector of the industry to know how crucial it is that they complete and return their census forms. Not only do data gathered from the census provide information for local and state agricultural investment decisions, they help local, state and national representatives and agencies make informed agricultural policy decisions and help the U.S. compete for its share of the global agriculture market. Information gathered also ensures quick access to vital local statistics in the event of a natural disaster or possible homeland security threat. For the 2/26/03 NASS news release, go to http://www.usda.gov/nass/events/news/resprate.htm and for background information as well as sample 2002 Census report forms, go to http://www.nass.usda.gov/census. Back to Top

Piglets per Pig Pressures Price
The hog industry keeps getting more efficient. That means it's probably going to be harder for producers to turn profits, analysts say. Production can now adjust quickly to price forecasts, which cuts the chance of significant price rallies created by hog shortages. "Since the industry is so much more flexible, it can adapt more quickly to changing prices," said George Morris Centre meat market analyst Kevin Grier. "Those supply holes will be filled more easily than they have been in the past." The four-year pig price cycle, which tends to have sharp ups and downs as producers react to price conditions, has generally created pig shortages that lead to periods of higher prices. But those shortages will be minimized if today's efficient barns can simply produce more pork during the expected shortage. That will minimize the strength of price recoveries. To access the complete news article by Ed White in The Western Producer, go to http://www.producer.com/articles/20030220/market_quotas/20030220mkt01.html. Back to Top

National Pork Producers Delegate Body Announced
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced the appointment of 160 pork producers and seven importers to the 2003 National Pork Producers Delegate Body. "We appreciate the willingness of these individuals to serve on the 2003 National Pork Producers Delegate Body," said Veneman. "These appointees bring a great deal of knowledge and experience to this board." Established under the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1985, the Delegate Body and the National Pork Board have implemented a national program designed to improve the pork industry's position in the marketplace. The delegates were selected from nominees submitted by state pork producer association and importer groups. To access a listing of appointed members representing pork producers by state, go to http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2003/02/0056.htm. Back to Top

Swine Youth Challenge Online
The 2003 Swine Youth Challenge is presented each year as part of the Ohio Pork Congress in Dayton, Ohio for 4-H and FFA youth and their advisors. Visit http://porkinfo.osu.edu/swineyouthchallenge.html to view memories or see what you missed. Back to Top

Sow Management Short Course Proceedings Online
The December 2002 Sow Management Short Course Proceedings coordinated by Dr. Mark Stewart at the University of Missouri with the cooperation of Extension personnel at the University of Illinois and the Ohio State University Pork Industry Center are now available online at http://porkinfo.osu.edu/sowmgmtproc.html. Back to Top

U.S. Department of Labor News
Tammy McCutchen, Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) with the U.S. Department of Labor Employment Standards Administration (ESA) recently met with the National Council of Agricultural Employers in Washington D.C. to outline the agency's new approach to assist agricultural employers comply with labor laws and regulations. McCutchen said WHD priorities for 2003 will include compliance assistance, complaint resolution, child labor compliance, employer recidivism (low tolerance for repeat offenders), and low wage industries (garment, health care and agriculture). The agency has developed a new web site, www.wagehour.dol.gov, and plans to develop an agriculture specific web site soon.
Local Assistance: WHD staff from the Columbus, Ohio district office have already contacted and met with MAAHS, Ohio Farm Bureau and Ohio Fruit and Vegetable Growers staff to discuss outreach efforts to assist employers in complying. They are willing to speak at grower meetings, have informational tables at events and mail informational packets to interested agricultural employers. Contact in the Columbus, Ohio district office is Guillermo Sapia at 614-469-5893. The Cleveland, Ohio District office phone is 216-357-5400. John Wargowsky (jwargows@ofbf.org) at MAAHS can assist its members in coordinating cooperation with DOL. Back to Top

National Animal Germplasm Program
A University of Missouri scientist, Dr. Tim Safranski, a member of NAGP's swine species committee, has been participating in this U.S. Department of Agriculture initiative started in 1999 to preserve the genetic variation in the nation’s livestock species for the future. “During the past two decades, U.S. livestock production has become much more standardized,” said Safranski. “Producers have increased the use of genetic improvement technologies such as artificial insemination. While this has allowed for the production of uniform, high-quality consumer products, it also has reduced the total number of breeding stock in use. As a result, genetic diversity is being lost. And once it’s gone, it’s gone.” To read more, go to http://www.ars-grin.gov/nag/. This site also will give you access to a database of swine breeds and contacts. Back to Top

Ag Engineer Eyes Hog Carcasses as Alligator Feed
According to Meatingplace.com editor Daniel Yovich, Kris Kohl, an Iowa State University Extension agricultural engineer, is examining whether Midwest alligator farming could provide a second income for hog producers. On a research farm near Castana, Iowa, Kohl is raising two 4-foot alligators, envisioning the reptiles as a less costly disposal method for pig and hog carcasses. The idea is that a hog farmer, instead of paying someone to haul away dead livestock, can simply feed the dead animals to alligators, which can provide additional income from the sale of their meat and hides. "It's a viable industry here," Kohl said. The world market for alligator and crocodile hides is about 2 million annually, according to a University of Florida study published in 2000. The market value of raw products from an average adult alligator is about $300, and alligator meat typically fetches about $5 per pound, Kohl said. While Florida alligators are raised in swampy terrain, Kohl said Iowa's climate would require indoor facilities. Each of the two alligators he is raising weighs 25 pounds, and live in an 8' by 3' tank heated to about 82 degrees F. The tank is in a building that houses office space for the research farm, where about 120 cattle and 1,000 hogs are finished annually. Most of the nation's alligator farms are in the South, and a typical operation raises 3,000 each year, Kohl said. The U.S, alligator industry produces about 500,000 hides a year at prices that range from $80 to $200 each. Kohl estimated that enough livestock die in Iowa each year to feed 1 million alligators. Back to Top

Pork Suffers with COOL
An economic analysis of the mandatory country-of-origin labeling program, performed by economists for the U.S. pork industry and Iowa State University, concludes it will be very costly for the U.S. pork industry, according to the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). The analysis, which was conducted by Dermot Hayes, an economist at Iowa State University and Steve Meyer, a U.S. pork industry economist, examined the potential impacts of country-of-origin labeling on several levels of the industry. According to Hayes and Meyer, the estimated costs for pork producers of implementing a full traceback system associated with country-of-origin labeling will be $10.22 per hog or $4.00 per hundred pounds. This is equivalent to a 10% increase in the costs of on-farm production or approximately $1.02 billion for the U.S. pork industry. In addition, assuming the 10% increase in costs is passed on to the retail level, U.S. consumers will likely demand seven percent less pork due to higher prices, Meyer said. "The research shows that the mandatory country-of-origin program will result in negative impacts all across the board for U.S. pork producers, with no real benefits," said NPPC Board Member and President-Elect Jon Caspers, a pork producer from Swaledale, IA. "Some surveys have shown that U.S. consumers prefer that meat be labeled as to its country-of-origin but there is no research evidence that U.S. consumers are willing to pay any premium for such labeled product, let alone a premium high enough to cover the costs." Go to http://www.ams.usda.gov/cool for more information on the USDA COOL website or for a full report go to http://www.nppc.org/news/releases/2003/COOLAnalFinalVersion.doc. Back to Top

Pork Quality Assurance Training
A Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) training meeting has been planned for Monday February 24th at 6:30 pm at the Ottawa American Legion Hall. This meeting is for pork producers needing PQA certification or recertification. PQA certification is required for most pork producers delivering animals to a stock yard or packing company. Certification is good for two years and producers need to complete recertification through their local veterinarian or by attending this meeting. Contact the Putnam County Extension Office at 419/523-6294 to register. Back to Top

Speak Out for Agriculture
Last month, The Meatingplace.com ran a story detailing an incident in which an operative affiliated with the anti-industry group Farm Sanctuary drove onto the property of Rory Miller, a lamb farmer in Schuyler County in upstate New York, broke into Miller's barn and stole one of his lambs. Susan Coston, the animal activist involved, claimed she was on a "rescue mission" to save an injured lamb, and Farm Sanctuary leader Gene Bauston at first tried to disavow any connection with Coston's "mission," even though she is an employee of the organization. It was verified that the lamb had a congenital defect affecting its vertebrae. Even the New York Farm Bureau agreed that the animal was a victim of an unfortunate birth defect -- an abscess on its spine -- and not a victim of cruelty.

Days later, Bauston posted an "alert" on several vegetarian and anti-industry Web sites, resulting in more than 1,500 e-mails being sent to the local district attorney, Joseph G. Fazzary, urging him to free Coston and charge Miller with animal cruelty, according to local newspaper accounts. Fazzary declined to file cruelty charges, but is now said to be contemplating reducing the felony charge of breaking and entering against Coston to a misdemeanor - thus bowing to anti-industry pressure - and allowing her to escape the usual penalties and have her case expunged in six months, as "a way out of the problem" created by the publicity surrounding the case. Go to www.meatingplace.com/dailynews for additional background. Send your e-mail to Joseph G. Fazzary, Esq., District Attorney at jfazzary@co.schuyler.ny.us to voice your opinion on his consideration of changing charges. Back to Top

Practical Nursery Management
Newly weaned pigs arriving at the nursery are the highest-health-risk animals in the swine production system, making their initial management and care vitally important. Frequent observation is essential, and close scrutiny (at least twice a day) will promote early observation, identification, and treatment of management problems and diseases before they have serious influences on performance. Click here for complete article by Dr. Todd See, University of North Carolina, which summarizes steps that should be taken to ensure rapid, efficient growth with minimal health challenges. Back to Top

Temple Grandin to Speak at Iowa State
Temple Grandin, who designs humane livestock facilities using the highly developed visual thinking skills of her autism, will speak at Iowa State University on Tuesday, February 25. Her lecture is titled, "Visual Thinking Process in Design: From The Viewpoint of a Person with Autism." Click here for details. Back to Top

Concentration in Agriculture Conference
Concentration. Say that word to a farmer and he or she will think of the bewildering rush of mergers and name changes in the seed and chemical industries in recent years. It's an issue that worries many farmers, small and large. More than 200 people crowded into the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University on February 4th to participate in the meeting titled, "Concentration in Agriculture: How much, How Serious and Why Worry?" Its speakers included national authorities on the subject, including Doug Ross, special counsel for agriculture at the antitrust division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Click here for Successful Farming's perspective and here for the Des Moines Register's feature. Back to Top

What Does "ORANGE" Mean to Me Agriculturally?
This article in the Ohio State University Extension Team's Beef Cattle Newsletter addresses concerns for all involved in agriculture in light of Attorney General John Ashcroft's elevating us as a nation to an ORANGE level of alert. To read Dee Jepsen's article based on the news release from the Department of Justice and Office of Homeland Security, click here. Back to Top

New Booklet Highlights Food Security Progress
Just how well is the Food Safety Inspection Services (FSIS) branch of the USDA doing in building food security across the industry? The answers are contained in a new publication from FSIS released February 10th. Click here to read what has been and is being done to secure America's meat, poultry, and egg products food supply. Back to Top

Biotechnology in Animal Agriculture: An Overview
The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) has released a scientific paper that provides policymakers and others with an overview of existing and emerging biotechnologies in animal agriculture. Written by a task force of nine scientists and three reviewers, the new issue paper suggests that research on biotechnology in animal production is leading to breakthroughs on many fronts. The CAST paper, Biotechnology in Animal Agriculture: An Overview, (Issue Paper 23) addresses several aspects of animal biotechnology and attempts to increase public understanding on related scientific, economic, legislative, ethical, and social issues. Back to Top

Maintaining the Family Business
Maintaining the success of a family business can be challenging not only for the owners, but also for those family members who are to succeed the older generation. A seminar will be held February 21st and March 7th to offer tips on management skills, how to prepare junior members for the business and improve the working relationship and communication of all the family members involved. The one-day informational program, called “Building On Your Success As A Family Business,” will take place Feb. 21 at the Granville Inn in Granville, Ohio, and on March 7 at the Dutch Valley Restaurant in Sugarcreek, Ohio. Both programs will run from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Registration to attend either seminar is $20, which includes program materials, lunch and refreshments. The basic focus of the workshop is geared toward senior partners and those junior members who have entered into the business to help them determine if they have the qualities and aptitude to further their career in the family business. The workshop will include information on management skills; planning, organizing and directing staff; how to prepare the next generation for the business; and creating business opportunities. The program will also feature a presentation by Bernie Erven, an Ohio State Extension Program Leader with the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics. This workshop is appropriate for any type of small family-held business, whether it be agriculture, excavation, construction, nursery, greenhouse or electric companies. For more information regarding the workshop or to register, contact the East District Extension office at (740) 732-2381; the Knox County Extension office at (740) 397-0401 or e-mail knox@ag.osu.edu; the Licking County Extension office at (740) 349-6900 or e-mail lick@ag.osu.edu; the Muskingum County Extension office at (740) 454-0144 or e-mail musk@ag.osu.edu; or the Tuscarawas County Extension office at (330) 339-2337 or e-mail tusc@ag.osu.edu. Back to Top

Navigating the 2002 Farm Bill Sign-up
The 2002 Farm Bill has given U.S. agricultural producers a lot of options. With these options comes complexity not previously experienced in farm programs. As of February 1, only 26% of Ohio farmers had updated their base and yield and the deadline of April 1, 2003 will not be extended. This is a one-time opportunity to update for 2002-2007. To read a more detailed fact sheet or to find where to access calculators, click here. Back to Top

Proposed EQUIP Rule Available for Public Comment
On January 30, Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced that the proposed rule for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) has been released. Public comments will be accepted for 30 days after the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register. This proposed rule describes how the NRCS intends to implement EQIP as authorized by amendments in the 2002 Act. Comments from the public will be used to make revisions, if necessary, that will be issued in a final rule. Click here for connections to details, summary, and news release. Back to Top

New Educational Program for Environmentally Sound Management Practices
As LEAP begins its fifth year, the Ohio Livestock Coalition - along with various program partners - has prepared a second level that is designed to help producers obtain and organize the data and information, as well as identify appropriate best management practices (BMPs) necessary to develop, adopt and implement a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP). Click here for details. Back to Top

Around Ohio with OLC's Dave White
Though consumers rarely consider the life of an animal whose meat they are about to purchase and consume, farm animals' welfare has become a hot topic behind the scenes. Restaurant and grocery store chains have made commitments to ensure their suppliers of beef, chicken, eggs, turkey and pork adhere to specific animal welfare guidelines. Plan now to attend "Myths & Facts about Animal Welfare Inititatives" on February 25, 2003 at the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Click here for details. Back to Top

Revenue Insurance for Hog Producers
Last June we told you about a 3 year pilot program in Iowa offering hog producers two new revenue insurance plan options beginning July 8, 2002. To help producers weigh the merits of these programs, Iowa State University extension evaluated the outcome of LRP and LGM policies purchased in July to cover hogs marketed between August 2002 and January 2003. These outcomes were then compared to similar risk management strategies using options on futures prices. For further details, click here. Back to Top

Foot and Mouth Strategy Strengthened
An antiviral drug could avert future foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) epidemics, scientists say. Combined with vaccination, the drug gives slow-acting vaccines time to kick in. The antiviral drug interferon protects pigs from infection for at least 24 hours, says Marvin Grubman of Plum Island Animal Disease Center in Greenport, New York. Crucially, it starts working within a day. "No vaccine can protect animals so quickly," he says. For further details on this research, click here. Back to Top

New Strategies to Cut Waste and Harvest Energy
A profitable swine production system with zero waste. A “biogas” plant that uses manure energy to fuel 900 households. New hog operations that cut water use by 50 percent. All are within grasp for Western Canada’s expanding swine industry, say speakers at the Banff Pork Seminar, held January 14-17 at the Banff Centre. “Manure and water management are important challenges facing the swine industry,” says Dr. John Feddes, a professor of animal housing at the University of Alberta. “The good news is new technologies and strategies have emerged that can help provide solutions." Watch the Pork Canada website for posting of the proceedings. Back to Top

Ohio Farmers Market Directory
Farm Markets across Ohio should act now to ensure their free listing in the 2003 Ohio Farmers Market Directory. Last year the directory, published online by the Ohio Department of Agriculture at www.ohioproud.org, attracted more than 18,000 visitors. Click here for details. Back to Top

Study Shows Micronization of Feeds a Plus
A University of Manitoba study has shown the micronization of feeds can dramatically reduce the volume of manure excreted by pigs and the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in that manure. Click here for further details of this research project. Back to Top

USDA Process Makes Wastewater Environmentally Friendly
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced that USDA scientists have developed a process that can remove phosphorus from swine production wastewater and turn it into a solid, marketable fertilizer, while converting the leftover effluent into a liquid crop fertilizer that is more environmentally friendly than manure. Click here for more details on this USDA research. Back to Top

2003 Pork Congress & Pork Producers Symposium
Plans have been finalized for the Professional Pork Producers Symposium held annually at the Ohio Pork Congress in Dayton Ohio, according to Dr. Steve Moeller, this year's coordinator. The symposium will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2003, from 8:30 am-2:15 pm. Click here for details and registration form. Click here for details on the 2003 Ohio Pork Congress. Back to Top

Davies Named as Leman Chair
Peter Davies, B.V.S., Ph.D., a globally recognized expert in swine epidemiology and production, has been named to the Allen D. Leman Chair in Swine Health and Productivity at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Established in 1995, the Leman Chair is widely considered one of the world’s most prestigious faculty positions focused on swine medicine. Click here for the complete news release from the Academic Health Center at the University of Minnesota. Back to Top

Packer Ban Law Ruled Unconstitutional
As reported in the January 23 Feedstuffs, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa has ruled in favor of Smithfield Foods, Inc., striking down Iowa's law banning meat packers' ability to own or control livestock as an unconstitutional infringement on interstate commerce. Smithfield's lawsuit was the first constitutional challenge to Iowa's corporate farm law. The Iowa packer ban "unconstitutionally discriminates against out-of-state interests in favor of local ones," Judge Robert Pratt wrote in his opinion. Pratt said he sympathizes with Iowa's attempt "to protect its family farmers." Sen. Tom Harkin (D., Iowa), said the ruling will place "an even stronger emphasis on the urgent need for Congress to pass and the President to sign a nation-wide ban on the packer ownership of livestoc." Click here for the Iowa Farm Bureau response to this ruling. Back to Top

Caring for Compromised Pigs
Ontario Pork launched the new "Caring for Compromised Pigs," booklet and the decision tree "Should this pig be transported?" at its recent Annual Meeting. Both resources are designed to help anyone involved with the pork industry make decisions about pigs in their care. The objective of the booklet and the decision tree is to serve as educational tools for decision making about if, when, how and where to transport compromised pigs. The decision tree may be accessed at http://www.ontariopork.on.ca/issues/ animalcare/decisiontree.pdf. Back to Top

Research on Savaging of Newborn Piglets
Savaging of newborn piglets by their mothers can cause significant losses to some farms and may be a particular problem in the new herd. Whilst most commonly occurs in gilts, it is in no way confined to these animals, with sporadic cases occurring in sows and occasionally in animals that savage piglets in successive litters. Go to http://www.mlc.org.uk/pigs/technical/ index.html/?i=1048180816& action=view&s= to read further details of the study. Back to Top

USDA Making DCP Sign Up Easier
OPPC has worked with FSA to get help for livestock producers. Now FSA has modified documentation requirements to account for production that has been fed to animals. Providing production evidence has long been a stumbling block for livestock producers when it comes to program participation. In an effort to better serve all livestock feeders, USDA has modified documentation requirements in order to account for production that has already been fed to farm animals. Click here to read further. Back to Top

Boar Usage Research in UK
Back in the 1980’s when artificial insemination usage was more the exception than the norm for mating sows, the major issues for boar usage were avoiding overuse and maintaining consistent usage with particular care to avoid favouritism. Many herds now utilise AI in one form or another (total use, “top up”, on farm collection) and the emphasis has shifted to avoiding underuse and avoiding carrying excessive cost. For further details, go to http://www.mlc.org.uk/pigs/technical/index.html/?i=1048180384&action=view&s=. Back to Top

Keeping America's Food Safe
The USDA has prepared information outlining simple, yet important steps, which can be taken to prevent or respond to a threat to our food supply. The information, including useful tips, is available at http://www.usda.gov/ homelandsecurity/homeland.html. Back to Top

Impending War's Potential Economic Impact on U.S. Farmers
War could inflict economic blows to U.S. farmers A possible war with Iraq and heightened tension in the Korean peninsula is sending jitters through the economy. The vibrations could intensify for American agriculture if hostilities break out, say agricultural economists at Purdue and Ohio State universities. To read more, go to Ag Answers at http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/ aganswers/audio/2003/03-8_War_Conflict_ Farmers.htm. Back to Top

COOL Expected to Change Canadian Export Patterns
According to an ag economist at the Univesity of Saskatchewan, "The major impact will be that farmers who have been selling live hogs into the United States are going to find some considerable market resistance to those hogs moving into the United States if the mandatory country of origin labelling does come in in 2004." To read further, go to http://www3.saskpork.com/farmscape-saskpork- showarchive.asp?id. Back to Top

Packers Question COOL's Constitutionality
The National Meat Association (NMA) plans to call into question the constitutionality of mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) requirements, which are scheduled to go into effect in October of 2004, according to a note on the Livestock Marketing Association Web site today. NMA says COOL is a form of compelled speech, the government does not have a compelling reason for the rules, and the labels are misleading to consumers. The American Meat Institute, another trade association for meat packers, is also against the mandatory labeling requirements, saying it will be costly to industry and the government, with no real benefit to consumers. (Agriculture Online) Back to Top

Groups Want COOL Redrafted, Letters Investigated
A coalition of agriculture and consumer organizations, Americans for Country of Origin Labeling (ACOOL), has asked the AMS to redraft guidelines for country of origin labeling (COOL) that the agency issued last year and to restate the estimates for implementation of the labels. At the same time, the Livestock Marketing Assn. and R-Calf USA have asked USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) to investigate flyers and letters that are being distributed by packers to their livestock suppliers advising producers of requirements they will have to meet when COOL becomes mandatory to prove the country, or countries, of birth and growth of the animals that they will be marketing to packing plants. The requests to AMS and GIPSA are in line with current efforts by groups such as R-Calf and the Organization for Competitive Markets to keep producers from being drawn into what the organizations regard as "misinformation" aimed at disconnecting producer support from COOL. OCM president Fred Stokes told Feedstuffs that the misinformation is a "heavy-handed" strategy to alienate producers from COOL proponents and push them to seek legislation that would overturn the law. (Feedstuffs Daily Update, March 14, 2003) Back to Top

AMS Preps for Referendum Survey
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is starting a process that could eventually lead to a continuation referendum on the national pork program, according to Barry Carpenter, AMS director of livestock and seed programs whose division oversees the pork program. As a first step, the USDA is proposing to amend the regulations that govern the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order, commonly known as the Pork Checkoff Program, to require remitters of pork checkoff assessments to submit to AMS the names, addresses, and any other information deemed necessary. This information will help the department identify those eligible pork produers and importers from whom assessments were collected and who could be surveyed to determine if they favor a referendum on the Pork Checkoff Program. The survey was part of a settlement of litigation against USDA filed by the Michigan Pork Producers Association and the National Pork Producers Council. When the "who is eligible" issue is settled, a proposed rule would be published to determine how the petitioning survey should be conducted. The actual referendum, if sufficiently supported, probably would be conducted next year. Back to Top

Environmentalists Lodge CAFO Suit
According to a March 10th article in Feedstuffs, "three environmental groups have filed a lawsuit in San Francisco's Ninth Circuit Court charging the Environmental Protection Agency's new confined animal feeding operations (CAFO) rule fails to protect national waters. In a statement Monday, they charged it allows large-scale livestock operations to pollute and "shields factory farms from liability for damage caused by animal waste pollution." The plaintiffs are the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Waterkeeper Alliance, whose president is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The new CAFO rule was issued by EPA in mid-December under a 1992 consent decree between the agency and NRDC. They said that land application of liquid manure from livestock manure lagoons allows seepage into surface and groundwater supplies, polluting them with "viruses, bacteria, pesticides, antibiotics, hormones and excessive nutrients." Their case centers on the rule's Clean Water Act exemption of field runoff by calling it "agricultural storm water." Back to Top

The New Face of Agriculture
As reported in Feedstuffs Daily Updates on March 5th, Land O'Lakes chief executive officer and president Jack Gherty, in his remarks to the cooperative's annual business meeting Feb. 26, said agriculture is changing significantly in that agriculture is moving away from the view that farming is a way of life to one that farming is a business; cooperatives are moving away from relatively uniform membership to "increasingly segmented membership" that includes "a growing number" of large, commercial farms and "a significant number" of smaller, traditional farms; locals are shifting from stores serving just one community to multi-facility organizations serving several communities; production is shifting away from individual farms to increasingly integrated production structures; policy is shifting from agriculture-based, agriculture-friendly policy-making bodies to legislatures that have a heavier urban commitment and "increasing skepticism" about farm programs, and capitalization is shifting from friendly, knowledgeable farm banks to "a commercial, arms-length and more demanding banking system." Back to Top

Water Usage & Manure Production Rates Research
According to the Manitoba Pork Council's Research News, a study by Clarence Froese identified a number of areas where significant water wastage, and hence excess manure production, was occurring. These mainly focused on management practices for cooling and watering of the grow/finish and gestating sow herd. Based on these observations, a cumulative reduction of 50% of current water usage was identified as potentially achievable. To read further details of the study, go to http://www.manitobapork.com/files/03febres.pdf. Back to Top

2003 National Pork Industry Forum
For a summary of actions taken at the National Pork Industry Forum in Dallas, Texas, March 6-9, go to http://www.porkboard.org/Home/president2.asp or to http://www.nppc.org/news/releases/2003/030310PorkForum.html. Back to Top

Ohio Pork Producer Is Elected NPPC Board Member
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) installed a new slate of officers and board members at its annual National Pork Industry Forum, March 6-8, in Dallas, Texas. Among its members is Bryan Black, of Canal Winchester, Ohio, who represents NPPC's Producer Advisory Council. The new NPPC President is Jon Caspers, a pork producer from Swaledale, Iowa. For other Board members, go to http://www.nppc.org/news/releases/2003/030310newofficers.html. Back to Top

Pork Producers Recommend Continue Current Checkoff Rate
Pork Act Delegates agreed to keep the Pork Checkoff rate at the current level of 40 cents per $100 of value, following hours of discussion during the Pork Act Delegate session March 8th at the 2003 National Pork Industry Forum in Dallas, Texas. "The unity and optimism of pork producers about the future of the pork checkoff was clear today," said National Pork Board President Hugh Dorminy, a pork producer from Russellville, Arkansas, in a news release from the National Pork Board. "The future of the checkoff isn't about individual pork producers at forum. It's about all producers working together to deal with the issues affecting all of us." For complete news release, go to http://www.porkboard.org/News/NewsEdit.asp?NewsID=330. Back to Top

Consumers View Industry More Favorably than Anticipated
Consumers have a more positive view of American pork production than producers expect, according to a recent survey supported by the Pork Checkoff. The survey was conducted to gauge consumer perceptions of the pork industry and what pork producers think consumers say about them. “This research is a good benchmark that shows us the public and producer perceptions,” said Craig Christensen, a pork producer from Ogden, Iowa, who serves as vice president of the National Pork Board. “The research told us that 84 percent of consumers have a positive or neutral opinion of pork farming.” Go to http://www.porkboard.org/
News/NewsEdit. asp?NewsID=329 for more details of the study. Back to Top

Al Christian Earns Pork Checkoff Distinguished Service Award
America’s pork producers honored Al Christian with the 2003 Distinguished Service Award during a banquet March 8th at the National Pork Industry Forum in Dallas, Texas. The Distinguished Service Award is given annually by the National Pork Checkoff Board to recognize outstanding contributions for the betterment of the pork industry. For complete news release, go to http://www.porkboard.org/News/NewsEdit.asp?NewsID=326. Back to Top

Producer Call-in Show Will Be Rebroadcast
At the National Pork Industry Forum in Dallas, Texas, this past Thursday, the National Pork Board hosted a producer call-in show live from Dallas, TX this Thursday, March 6, from 8-9 pm CST. The show is scheduled to be rebroadcast several times, including Monday, March 17 at 7 p.m. and Tuesday, March 18 at 1 a.m., 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. (CST). RFD-TV is available on Direct-TV channel 379, DISH Network channel 9409 and Mediacom cable. RFD-TV: Direct TV channel 379, DISH Network- channel 9409, or cable systems- check listing for RFD channel. Producers with questions about pork programs and issues were encouraged to call in. For industry issues addressed at the Forum, go to http://www.porkboard.org/PorkForum/ default.asp. Back to Top

Reminder: Last 2003 Applying Knowledge for Profit Meetings
As chair of the upcoming producer education meetings, Dale Ricker, Swine Extension Associate with the Ohio Pork Industry Center, reminds us that the last two winter education meetings, Applying Knowledge for Profit, are scheduled for Wednesday, March 12th in Bucyrus at the Public Library and March 13th in Fort Recovery at the American Legion Hall. Dr. Mike Brumm, Swine Extension Specialist from the University of Nebraska will address "What's New in Grow-Finish?" For a quick glance at the brochure (PDF file/legal) go to http://porkinfo.osu.edu/PDF%20Files/ winter2003.brochure.pdf, or go to ttp://porkinfo.osu.edu/PDF%20Files/ winter2003.sngl.pgs.pdf to access single pages detailing agendas and registration information for each of the 6 meetings (PDF file, 8 1/2 x 11).   Back to Top

Court Rules in Iowa
The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors in Iowa approved a deal to pay a hog-confinement developer not to build a proposed operation. The action - the first buyout of a proposed operation in years - could end a months-long battle. The supervisors agreed to a deal in which the county and opponents of a 4,000-hog confinement near the Iowa Great Lakes will pay Dutch Creek Farms Inc. of Fairmont, Minn., $52,500 to scrap the project. Dutch Creek Farms also agreed not to own or operate any hog confinements in the county, which depends heavily on tourism. For further details, visit the Des Moines Register story at http://desmoinesregister.com/news/stories/c5903220/20651038.html. Back to Top

Former National Pork Board VP Named as USDA Director
USDA Undersecretary Eric Bost announced the appointment of Eric Hentges as director of USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, according to a news release. In this position, Hentges will oversee the development of nutrition guidance in the Agriculture Department in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services. Hentges's 20 years of experience includes stints as vice president of Applied Technology and Education Services for the National Pork Board, and director of Consumer Nutrition and Health Research with the National Pork Producers Council. He was also director of Human Nutrition Research with the National Livestock and Meat Board from 1987 to 1995. Back to Top

NPPC Interview with GIPSA Administrator
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administrator Donna Reifschneider, a Past President of NPPC, responds to questions regarding how GIPSA's policies are creating a fair market for U.S. pork products. To view the entire exchange, visit http://www.nppc.org/Q&Alayout.pdf. Back to Top

Use of Phenylbutazone Prohibited
Federal Register, February 28, 2003: The Food and Drug Administration (we) is issuing an order prohibiting the extralabel use of phenylbutazone animal and human drugs in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older. We are issuing this order based on evidence that extralabel use of phenylbutazone in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older will likely cause an adverse event in humans. We find that such extralabel use presents a risk to the public health for the purposes of the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994 (AMDUCA). DATES: This rule is effective May 29, 2003." According to Dr. Bill Shulaw, OSU, "the notice has been anticipated for some time. Data gathered at Taylor and Moyer packing indicate that phenylbutazone is found not uncommonly in cull dairy cows. Although the proposed rule currently only affects dairy cattle, it should be remembered that Ohio has had at least one pig and one steer with phenylbutazone residues discovered as a result of fair testing. In those cases, FDA has said that those animals can NEVER enter the food chain. The use of this compound in any food producing animal for any reason should be very strongly discouraged for the reasons stated in the 'Background' of this rule. The effect of this proposed rule is that the use of this drug in female dairy cattle, by anyone including veterinarians, constitutes an illegal act." Back to Top

Criteria for Assessing Animal Care Principles Report Completed
The Animal Agriculture Alliance has announced completion of its science-based report on criteria to be used in assessing farm animal care programs. The report commissioned by the Alliance and conducted through the joint efforts of the Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS) and the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS) provides by-species criteria for the evaluation of animal care guidelines developed by the various producer organizations. Contact the Alliance at 703/562-5160 or
info@animalagalliance.org or visit their website at http://www.animalagalliance.org/main/home.cfm?Section= Main&Category=Home. Back to Top

The Pork Industry in the Legal Arena
In Iowa, a Worth County ordinance regulating livestock production has been struck down as illegal. Judge Stephen P. Carroll declared that the State of Iowa’s right to regulate livestock production was in “clear and unambiguous language. Accordingly, Worth County’s attempt to regulate in this area is inconsistent and irreconcilable with the state law.” Source: Iowa Farm Bureau, February 25, 2003, can be accessed at http://www.ifbf.org/news.asp?number=20736.

The US Supreme Court has refused to hear the South Dakota case of Sun Prairie versus the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, leaving intact a ruling by the 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals that said the company had no right to seek protection for the operation. Sun Prairie was building a 13-site facility hog operation on land owned by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. A second lawsuit, currently pending, seeks damages should Sun Prairie be forced to shut down the two sites that are already in operation. Source: Rapid City Journal, February 25, 2003, can be accessed at http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2003/02/25/news/local/news14.prt.

The Iowa Master Matrix, which counties could use in determining whether or not to issue permits for confinement livestock operations, is set to go into effect on March 1. The state Administrative Rules Review Committee, however, is questioning the provision that divides the scores into subcategories for air, water and community factors. The law as written, SF 2293, established one non-categorized score. Source: Iowa Farm Bureau, February 25, 2003. can be accessed at http://www.ifbf.org/news.asp?number=20709.

Arguments surrounding the constitutionality of the national pork program will be entertained March 14 in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, Ohio. The appeal will be made by the U.S. Department of Justice, representing the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which conducts administrative oversight of the program and its checkoff for Congress. The Campaign for Family Farms, a coalition of family farmers and other rural advocacy interests opposed to the program, and a coalition led by the Michigan Pork Producers Assn. and National Pork Producers Council that supports the program both had sought a constitutionality ruling from Judge Richard Alan Enslen in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Michigan. Enslen ruled last year that the program represents an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment in that it mandates producers to associate with speech to which they do not agree. Back to Top

CNMP Curriculum Now Available
The Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) Producer Curriculum is designed to help pork producers understand how a CNMP can help them make solid business decisions in production efficiency, economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability and social responsibility. Under the new CAFO rule, operations defined as CAFOs must fulfill the nutrient management plan requirement in the rule by December 31, 2006. The CAFO rule identifies CNMPs as a method for complying with the nutrient management requirement. CNMPs are also key for obtaining any cost-share funds from the 2002 Farm Bill for livestock operations. Producers planning to apply for EQIP funds for improved environmental practices on their farm will be required to have a CNMP. Pork producers can request the CNMP Producer Curriculum at no charge by calling the Pork Checkoff Producer Service Center at 800/456-7675. To access the full news release, go to http://www.porkboard.org/News/NewsEdit.asp?NewsID=319. Back to Top

Research on Effects of Weaning Age on Performance and Costs and Revenue
According to a Kansas State study, "Two trials (n = 5,728 weaned pigs) were conducted to determine the effects of weaning age (12 to 21.5 days) on pig performance in a three-site production system. The second trial also examined the effects of modifying nursery feed budgets according to weaning age. In both studies, wean-to-finish ADG, mortality rate, average pig gain per days postweaning, and pounds sold per pig weaned improved linearly as weaning age increased. To access full report, go to http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/
library/lvstk2/sections/srp897_farrow.pdf. Back to Top

P.O.R.K. Academy Plans for 2003
The Pork Checkoff is presenting the Producers Opportunity for Revenue and Knowledge (P.O.R.K.) Academy on Wednesday, June 4 at the Marriott in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. This Checkoff-funded event is held annually on the eve of World Pork Expo. Like in 2002, the Pork Checkoff is expected to be the largest exhibitor at World Pork Expo, which is scheduled for June 5-7 in Des Moines. To access flier with schedule and registration informaiton, go to http://www.porkboard.org/docs/PORK%20ACADEMY%202003%20BRO.pdf. Back to Top

USDA Released Free Ag Fact Book 2002
A free 169-page USDA Agriculture Fact Book has just been released. The Fact Book offers a perspective on broader trends in American agriculture, as well as the extent and nature of the outreach programs provided by the USDA and its related agencies. The topics are divided into more digestible smaller sections, including the food consumption of Americans, the transformation of American farms, and American food safety. All told, there are a total of twelve sections, many of which include helpful visual aids, such as tables, charts, and graphs. To access an online copy of the book, go to http://www.usda.gov/factbook/2002factbook.pdf. Back to Top

Tony Hall Guest of CFAES
Tony Hall, former U.S. House of Representatives Congressman of Dayton, Ohio, who tirelessly advocates global hunger relief programs and works to improve human rights conditions, is chief of the World Food Program, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Hall, a three-time nominated Nobel Peace Prize candidate, visited the Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences campus on April 17 to discuss his views on world hunger and what contributions people can make to help eliminate what he considers to be "the most pressing problem in the world today." "When there are 815 million people in the world that are severely malnourished, two billion people that make less than $2 a day and 25,000 people that die everyday from starvation, it's a big issue," said Hall. For complete news release, go to http://porkinfo.osu.edu/Word%20Documents/hall.newsrelease4.18.03.doc. For article in the College's newspaper, enVision, go to http://envision.osu.edu/news.asp?ID=329. Back to Top

Hog Co-op Looks at Expansion
Premium Pork Allied Producers is mulling over the decision to construct a new corporate headquarters and packing plant in St. Joseph, Missouri. St. Joseph Mayor David Jones said Premium Pork's plans include a modern slaughtering plant and corporate headquarters with a visitor's center. The plant would employ about 800 laborers, 125 clerical workers and 75 supervisory positions. Premium Pork is reportedly considering both St. Joseph and Albert Lea, Minn., as potential sites for a packing plant and corporate headquarters. (excerpt from meatingplace.com) Back to Top

Governor Calls for Moratorium Extension
Gov. Mike Easley is calling for a 4-year extension on the moratorium for new and expanded swine operations that employ lagoon and spray irrigation systems in North Carolina, a move that would push the ban to Sept. 1, 2007. “We must make certain that this is the last time that North Carolina extends its moratorium,” Easley said. “Let me be perfectly clear, this moratorium is not just about no more lagoons,” he said. “It is about providing the time to convert the existing lagoon and spray system to a new, more environmentally sustainable system.” For complete news release go to http://www.governor.state.nc.us/News/PressReleases. Back to Top

Nebraska Index Cross Female Performance Study
According to Rodger Johnson at the University of Nebraska, since the National Genetic Maternal Line Evaluation Program (MLP) was completed three years ago, pigs of the NI line were released to several breeding organizations that have marketed NI line cross females to commercial producers. Data on the performance of these gilts are beginning to accumulate. A report summarizing that information with the objective of determining whether the NI cross gilts are living up to their reputation derived from the MLP results has been released. To read results of this study, go to http://nationalhogfarmer.com/ar/farming_nebraska_index_cross/index.htm. Back to Top

USDA Urged to Clarify COOL Compliance Requirements
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) needs to minimize the costs to both America’s pork producers and consumers and provide clearer direction regarding what will soon be required to comply with proposed mandatory country-of-origin meat labeling guidelines, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Jon Caspers said last week in comments to USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). NPPC has long opposed country-of-origin labeling (COOL) due to additional on-farm costs placed on pork producers. For complete news release go to http://www.nppc.org/news/releases/2003/030415COOLcomments.html. Back to Top

Social Security Site Revised - User Friendly
One of the most popular features of the new Social Security Administration website is the service which allows online benefits application, where people can apply for retirement, spouse's and disability benefits online. The new address takes you to a redesigned site that is easier to navigate, more attractive, and more accessible to all visitors, including people with visual impairments or physical disabilities. Visit this revised site at http://www.socialsecurity.gov. Back to Top

COOL Record-keeping - Packers' Expectations
According to the Des Moines Register, "Packing companies are imposing new record-keeping requirements on livestock producers, citing a controversial law that requires meat and produce to be labeled with their country of origin. The processors are warning producers that their meat won't be allowed in supermarkets if they don't have proper documentation. Groups that back the law say packers are trying to undermine support for the labeling and have asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to investigate. " To read the complete article, go to http://desmoinesregister.com/business/stories/c4789013/20990605.html. Back to Top

"Mopping Up" Pig Effluent Study
According to the ABC Rural News, "Cannabis plants may soon be enlisted to combat the mounting problem of pig effluent. It's hoped Australia's first large-scale trial using one million hemp plants as a "mop up" crop to soak up the irrigated effluent will reduce damage to our ecosystems. So impressed with the initial three-month trial near Lismore, Australian Pork Limited has funded a three-year PhD for more investigation into 'mop crops' like hemp for effluent disposal. Researcher at Lismore's Southern Cross University Dr Keith Bolton, says hemp is a more effective 'mop crop' than pasture, because it’s fast growing and harvested stalks can be used for pig bedding.” Back to Top

Sample Documentation for COOL Compliance
AMS-USDA has recently posted a series of example documents and records (PDF format) that may be useful to verify compliance for Country of Original Labeling (COOL). The documents listed are only examples to provide producers, processors, and retailers with additional information when establishing a record keeping system for verification purposes. According to AMS, the documents and records listed are examples and may not ensure COOL compliance. To access the PDF file, go to http://www.ams.usda.gov/cool/coolpork.pdf. Back to Top

Another Look at Ohio Law
Over the past several years, and probably during the next several years, there is little doubt that on an overall basis livestock, dairy and poultry farms will continue to increase in size. There are several reasons for this trend. Additionally, concerns about livestock farms and their ability to potentially create nuisance situations may also continue to escalate, particularly by those who oppose such operations. To read insights into the current Ohio laws offered by David White, Executive Director of the Ohio Livestock Coalition, go to
http://porkinfo.osu.edu/Word%20Documents/OLvstkCo4.7.03.doc. Back to Top

What Group Housing Systems Will Meet the Industry's Needs?
One of the more controversial aspects of pig production is the housing of gestating sows. One of the earliest government sponsored reports on intensive animal management, coming from a Canadian committee comprised primarily of agricultural experts, expressed the opinion that: “An animal should at least have sufficient freedom of movement to be able without difficulty, to turn around, groom itself, get up, lie down and stretch its limbs.” (Brambell Report, 1965). However, this same committee recognized that confinement “may well confer some advantages, notably shelter from the weather and freedom from predators and bullying, . . .” Thus, we have the ongoing conflict between ‘freedom from bullying’ and ‘freedom of movement’. Back to Top

We tend to think of ‘group housing’ as a single system in comparison to stalls. In fact, there are at least four major group systems, with several management options within each, that are available to the industry. The question is, are all or any of these systems suitable in terms of animal welfare and efficient production? To read further the discussion of these four major systems, go to http://adminsrv.usask.ca/psci/WhatsNew/APR03/Housing.htm. Back to Top

"Applying Knowledge for Profit" Proceedings
The presentations at the 2003 Pork Producer Educational Series, "Applying Knowledge for Profit," are now available online. To access PowerPoint and Excel presentation files go to http://porkinfo.osu.edu/winter2003proceedings.htm. Back to Top

Swine Semen Evaluation Workshop
The University of Illinois Extension is offering a Swine Semen Evaluation Workshop on May 29-30, 2003, at the College of ACES Library & Information Center and the Animal Sciences Laboratory in Urbana, Illinois. To access the brochure with agenda and registration information, go to http://porkinfo.osu.edu/PDF%20Files/ semen.eval.Illinoiswkshp.pdf. Back to Top

Facts & Fallacies of COOL
AgStar offices in Minnesota are hosting Ron Plain, ag economist from the University of Missouri, on April 15, 2003 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm CST. Ron will present a detailed Market Outlook as well as the facts and fallacies of Country of Origin Labeling (COOL). This event will be available online. The requirements for connecting on the 15th and other details can be accessed at http://www.agstar.com/swine/ronplain.shtml. Back to Top

Pork Checkoff Gearing Up for Swine Welfare Assurance Program
Development of the Pork Checkoff’s Swine Welfare Assurance Program (SWAP) is nearing completion. The voluntary program, targeted for all pork producers at the farm level, will be available this summer. SWAP is an objective way to assess welfare at the farm level, regardless of size or type of production facilities, while addressing potential market-access issues. “We will begin training SWAP Instructor Teams this spring to start moving the program forward, ” said Dale Norton, a producer from Bronson, Michigan, and member of the Pork Checkoff Animal Welfare Committee. “Our goal with this program is to give the producer a user-friendly and scientific-based process to show that the welfare of our animals is a priority.” For complete news release, go to http://www.porkboard.org/News/NewsEdit.asp?NewsID=327. Back to Top

Pork Plant in Albert Lea, MN Being Considered
A pork packing plant with "mysterious" investors is being considered for Albert Lea, Minn., could be large enough to "change the overall demographics of the area," according to city officials in the southern Minnesota town where a Farmland Foods pork plant went up in flames three years ago. For further details, go to http://www.meatingplace.com under DAILY NEWS for Friday, April 4, 2003. Back to Top

USDA Requests Input until April 11, 2003
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, along with other government agencies, academia and industry, are continuously examining various food safety technologies to improve the safety of the food supply. USDA is seeking input regarding a requirement in the 2002 Farm Bill pertaining to the use of approved food safety technologies for commodity purchase programs. USDA has also compiled facts and information about various food safety technologies on a new website located at www.usda.gov/fst. Back to Top

Report Implies Little Profit for Next 12 Months
According to Brian Roe, OSU Ag Economist, in his April Livestock Outlook, the recent USDA Hogs and Pigs report met most market watchers’ expectations by reporting a shrinking inventory of market and breeding hogs and by reporting less ambitious production intentions for the next two quarters. Despite these reductions, however, the projected supplies over the next 12 months still imply little to no profit for the average hog producer under normal demand conditions. But the more realistic question is: Can producers really sustain another year of break-even returns after an average loss of $7 per hog over the past 15 months and an average return above cash costs of $1 per hog over the past 5 years? Many think not and, perversely, this is one of the few sources of optimism in the marketplace right now. The quarterly report revealed that farrowing activity during the Dec ’02 –Feb ’02 quarter came in 1.5% below previously stated intentions, while the USDA revised the Jun-Aug ’02 pig crop up 2.4% to help provide some explanation for the 2.4% increase in hog slaughter we have observed during the first quarter of 2003. One important distinction concerning this much expected revision: USDA claims it did not undercount the number of sows, but rather underestimated the percent of sows that farrowed and the number of pigs born to each sow. The market would have reacted much more negatively if the USDA thought it had undercounted the base sow population: a larger sow herd will live on and taint all future inventory projections but the high productivity only persists through the pig crop that came to slaughter in the first quarter of 2003. Taking all the inventory and stated farrowing intentions data together, I’m projecting a reduction in slaughter of a little over 2% over the next 12 months compared to year previous. While seemingly positive, a 2% reduction in slaughter is only enough to move prices back to break even levels or slightly above. My quarter by quarter projections for slaughter (head) and price ($/cwt live) are: Apr-Jun: 23.9 mil., $38-41; Jul-Sep: 24.6 mil., $37 – 40; Oct – Dec: 26.2 mil., $35-39; Jan – Mar ‘04: 24.7 mil., $38 – 42. For a typical finisher who faces standard basis levels and sources 50-pound feeder pigs at an average price of $40/head this implies the following returns above cash costs for these quarters: Apr-Jun: -$1.67/cwt; Jul – Sep: $4.31/cwt; Oct – Dec: $-1.51/cwt; and Jan – Mar ’04: $1.64/cwt. For the next 12 months, that’s just a few dimes above break-even if today’s futures market prices and historical basis patterns hold. These are not very encouraging numbers for producers. Perhaps demand will be more robust than we imagine? This could be the case. While prices were quite low during the first quarter of this year, it is largely due to the heavy supply delivered to the market. In fact, initial analysis of the price and supply numbers suggest that price was a little stronger than we might have expected given the tremendous increase in supply seen during the past three months. Indeed, with diminishing supplies of beef and poultry beginning to surface, we might expect a small increase in the price of pork over what we see in many years. However, general economic woes, including war woes, could easily offset any positive effects from competing meats. For stronger prices to surface, and I believe they will, there would need to be a larger reduction in supply. We would need to observe production decline by about 4% (rather than just 2%) before we could start seeing prices move to levels that could provide some capital to offset past losses and reinvested into facilities and other fixed assets. Unfortunately, this is likely to come from more rounds of producers exiting the industry and, like in 2002, these are likely to include not just small producers, but large producers as well. You can access the study, Pigs in Space: Modeling the Spatial Structure of Interior U.S. Hog Production from 1992-1997 by Roe, Irwin & Sharp at http://aede.ag.ohio-state.edu/resources/docs/
pdf/29806230-6000-11D5-BED00C00D014775.pdf. Back to Top

Hydrogen Sulphide Study on Human Risks
Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is a life threatening gas produced by anaerobic degradation of liquid manure. The gas can be released while performing common tasks that involve manure flow or mixing. In most cases, exposure may have short and long term effects that impact the health and well being of the person exposed. Recent events in Saskatchewan revealed that barn workers may be exposed to high H2S concentrations while pulling pit plugs and power-washing rooms so monitoring was performed at the Prairie Swine Centre to evaluate this hypothesis. Six swine production sites were assessed to determine levels of H2S exposure while workers performed specific manure management tasks in gestation, farrowing, nursery and grower-finisher rooms. The study concluded: Swine barn workers may be exposed to H2S concentrations that exceed acceptable limits when pulling pit plugs and power-washing rooms; Locations of peak H2S concentrations when pulling pit plugs vary within the room; Monitors should be provided to all swine barn workers as pockets of H2S may be present in other areas than where the plug is pulled (ex: transfer pit room, plug popping situations); and Training and standard operating procedures are needed so swine barn workers can learn how to deal with routine operation that can generate H2S emissions and emergency situations where high H2S concentrations are present. For more information on the study go to http://adminsrv.usask.ca/psci/WhatsNew/APR03/H2S.htm. Back to Top

NEW Ohio State University P-12 Project
The university's P-12 Project has created a "Buckeye Programs for Youth" web site, an extensive new university-community database that searches for youth programs, camps and other activities that might interest pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade students. The program was created in response to demand from parents in the community seeking information about summer programs. The database lists 117 youth programs and 39 summer-only programs. Users can search for programs based on subject area, grades, or both at http://www.osu.edu/p12/programs_camps.php. Back to Top

Impacts of U.S. COOL on U.S. Hog Producers
The purpose of this project is to identify the possible economic, structural and social damage Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) could inflict directly on U.S. hog farmers and processors if the imports of Canadian hogs were stopped. The authors of the study are Kevin Grier, Senior Market Analyst at the George Morris Centre, and David M. Kohl, Professor, Agricultural Finance and Small Business Management, Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. To access the complete study go to http://www.georgemorris.org/ PDF%20Files/ImpactsofCOOLonUSHogProducers
0403KG.pdf. Back to Top

Symposium Proceedings on Web
Proceedings from the Pork Checkoff Estimating Whole Hog Value Symposium now are available on the Checkoff Web site. Pork producers can use the latest research on fat-free lean prediction in pork carcasses to get the most value for their hogs. To access a PDF version, go to http://www.porkboard.org/publications/pubIssues.asp?id=94. Back to Top

Around Ohio with the Ohio Livestock Coalition
Dave White, Executive Director of the Ohio Livestock Coalition, expresses his disbelief at Paul Harvey's reaction to the recently publicized will of the co-founder and leader of a radical, abolitionist animal rights group. Like almost anything else this group does, it contains elements that make it somewhat unbelievable while at the same time hinting of possibly something significant to come. For complete news release from OLC, go to
http://porkinfo.osu.edu/Word%20Documents/OLvstkCo5.16.03.doc. Back to Top

Animal Rights Extremists-Another Look
A new $100,000 television advertising campaign by the Center for Consumer Freedom touts two past donations by the People by Ethical Treatment for Animals (PETA) to groups the FBI has put on its domestic terrorist watch list. You can view the clip at http://www.animalscam.com. The Center's goal is "to promote personal responsibility and protect consumer choice." Back to Top

New Study Refuting USDA's COOL Cost Estimate
A recent study financed by proponents of country of origin labeling indicates COOL implementation will cost decidedly less than a recent estimate by the Agriculture Department. The report, Country of Origin Labeling: A Legal and Economic Analysis, was published by The International Agricultural Trade and Policy Center at the University of Florida on May 8th. Collaborators for the report were: John VanSickle, University of Florida; Roger McEowen, Kansas State University; C. Robert Taylor, Auburn University; Neil E. Harl, Iowa State University; and John Connor, Purdue University. The study is available at http://www.worc.org/pdfs/IATPstudy.pdf. Back to Top

Harkin Urges Use of Common Sense
U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), ranking Democrat of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, urged Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman in a letter to follow a common sense approach for implementing the country of origin labeling program which was included in the 2002 farm bill. Senator Harkin is disappointed that USDA continues to push for unnecessarily complicated regulations. For his complete news release, go to
http://harkin.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=203446. Back to Top

Sorting Pigs: Why We Do It & Why We Shouldn't
Dr. Harold Gonyou, Prairie Swine Centre at the Univesity of Saskatchewan, addresses the question of sorting pigs by weight or sex as they are placed into social groups at weaning, when entering the grow/finish phase, or as gestating sows. For the full research report, go to
http://adminsrv.usask.ca/psci/WhatsNew/APR03/Sorting.htm. Back to Top

Disaster Information for Livestock Owners
Through its Emergency Management Institute, FEMA offers independent study courses online which address many aspects of education needed to cope with disasters. Courses that may be of interest to producers include Animals in Disaster Module A: Awareness & Preparedness at http://www.training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/is10.asp, Animals in Disaster Module B: Community Planning, at http://www.training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/is11.asp, and a new course, Livestock in Disasters at http://www.training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/is111.asp. Back to Top

Study Vegetation Use as "Scrub" for Lagoons
Advancements in constructed wetland technologies are offering real advantages to pork producers with anaerobic waste lagoons. In a North Carolina system under review, fast-growing duckweed placed in a pond located between marsh cells further “scrubs” wastewater. To read Pork magazine's report of this study at NCSU, go to http://www.porkmag.com/news_editorial.asp?pgID=728&ed_id=1865. Back to Top

Biotechnology -- A Positive Perspective
Seventy-three varieties of biotech crops are approved for human or animal consumption in North America: 56 different types in the United States, 54 in Canada and three in Mexico. Approval follows many years of laboratory and field testing, peer review and government regulatory oversight. Consumers, farmers, journalists, teachers and students will better understand plant biotechnology by spending some time at the Council for Biotechnology's web site at http://www.whybiotech.com/index.asp?id=2837. To read more on the safety and regulation of biotech foods, go to http://www.whybiotech.com/index.asp?id=1975. Back to Top

Ag-Discovery Summer Camp
Ag-DISCOVERY, a pilot project funded through a grant by the USDA, APHIS, VS National Civil Rights Leadership Committee, was designed to create an awareness in diversity and careers in Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine. This summer's camp will provide 25-30 multi-cultural participants (at least 12 and no older than 16 as of June 30, 2003) the opportunity to live on a college campus for three weeks, while learning about Animal Science from college professors through a series of wet labs, workshops, and field trips.

The cost of tuition, room and board, and lab supplies for the 3-week program is $800 per student. But this year students pay none of these onsite costs! For 2003, the cost of the program will be covered via a grant to Veterinary Services’ Mississippi Area Office. Students selected for the 2003 Ag-DISCOVERY summer session will pay only the cost of their transportation to get from home to Alcorn State and back again at the end of the session in late July.

Time is of the essence to get applications in!!! Applications must be postmarked by May 9th which is an extended deadline!! For additional information, you can access a brochure at http://southcenters.osu.edu/usda/invest.pdf. Back to Top

Dutch Avian Influenza Virus Spreads to Swine
In less than two months, an epidemic of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H7N7 (HPAI H7N7) has devastated the Dutch poultry industry and now threatens Belgium. On April 16th 2003, the Dutch Agriculture Minister reported that the virus has now spread to swine. Antibodies to the new virus have been found in swine on five farms which also have infected poultry. There is no evidence, as yet, that the virus can spread from pig to pig. For further comment and additional weblinks to other articles on this subject, go to
http://www.aasv.org/news/story.php?id=563. Back to Top

Air Quality in Ohio Livestock Farms-5/7/03
Air quality is on target to become the next major Extension national initiative focus. Dr. Lingying Zhao and Jon Rausch are giving leadership to the formation of an ag air quality team. According to Mary Wicks, OCAMM Program Coordinator, a video-link conference, "Air Quality in Ohio Livstock Farms" presented by Dr. Zhao, will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2003. OSU link sites are: Columbus (Kottman Hall, Room 244), Lima (Public Services Bldg., Room 207), and Wooster (OARDC, Fisher Auditorium Room 121). Questions? Contact Mary at 330/202-3533 or wicks.14@osu.edu. Back to Top

Phosphorus Reduction in Lagoons Research
A new technology has been developed for reducing phosphorus in liquid from livestock waste lagoons. The technology was developed by Dr. Keith Bowers as part of his dissertation research at North Carolina State University (NCSU) in 1998-2002, and a provisional patent application has been filed. A test system at a NCSU research farm generally achieved total phosphorus (TP) reduction (including both dissolved and suspended forms) of 70-80% and achieved 80-90% at optimum conditions. According to Mary Wicks, Ohio Composting and Manure Management (OCAMM) Program Coordinator, Dr. Bowers will present results of his research on Tuesday, May 6th, 2:30-4:00 p.m. in Kottman Hall Room 244 on the OSU Columbus campus, with VIDEOLINK to 121 Fisher Auditorium on the OARDC Wooster campus and to Room 207 in the Public Services Building on the OSU Lima campus. Back to Top

Potential Break-through against E. coli
Researchers at the Phage Lab at The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA say a harmless virus that kills the food-poisoning bacterium E. coli O157:H7 has been discovered in sheep. The virus, CEV1, is a bacteriophage, or "bacteria eater", and was found by chance when scientists were studying new antibiotics. Andrew Brabban, a microbiologist at ESC, told attendees at a meeting of the Society for General Microbiology in Edinburgh, Scotland, that in a small trial in sheep, the phage reduced numbers of the toxic bacterium by 99 percent in just two days. Initial animal studies have shown that CEV1 has great promise as an orally administered treatment for the selective removal of O157:H7 from farm livestock. This may be a significant breakthrough in the important job of creating a safer human food supply for the 21st Century. Back to Top

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus Spreads from Poultry to People and Pigs
On April 19, 2003, the Dutch Health Ministry reported that a 57-year-old male veterinarian has died as result of Avian Influenza (AI) infection. The vet developed pneumonia two days after working with AI-infected poultry and died soon aftwards in hospital. For additional information on the spread of this disease in the Netherlands and the threat to life go to
http://www.pighealth.com/influenza2.htm. Back to Top

Agriculture on the Alert
Officials are taking seriously the indications that al Qaeda is focusing on America's food supply as a means of furthering their terrorist activities. According to a Homeland Security Update on 6/10/03, " When members of the al Qaeda terrorist network abandoned their caves and safe houses in Afghanistan after being routed by U.S. troops in the months after the Sept. 11 attacks, they left behind many clues to their aspirations. Besides the supplies and cell phones, ammunition and assorted weaponry one might expect to find with any modern paramilitary organization were thousands of documents and computer records. Among this mother lode of information were hundreds of pages of U.S. agricultural documents that had been translated into Arabic. Al Qaeda's interest in American agriculture was more than academic, according to government officials. A significant part of the group's training manual is reportedly devoted to agricultural terrorism - the destruction of crops, livestock and food processing operations." For access to the complete news release, go to http://porkinfo.osu.edu/PorkFinalWWW/Word Documents/homeland.security.update6.10.03.doc." Back to Top

U.S. Hog Producers Under Attack Again
According to a 6/11/03 editorial posted on meatingplace.com, environmental extremist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has once again threatened major hog producers with lawsuits during a speech at the Sustainable Hog Farming Summit held 6/7/03 at the Eisenhower Inn and Convention Center in Gettysburg. This latest attack has earned him the following advice from Trent Loos, a sixth generation rancher, who has previously shadowed Kennedy on other environmental crusades. "If Kennedy truly wants to contribute to improving the environment, he should take all the money he collects prancing around the country proclaiming his environmental legacy and use it to address the problem of wasted food," Loos said. "He would not only be reducing pollution and waste in landfills but he could distribute food to some of the 12 million children who, according to the USDA, experience food insecurities annually. This would be a win-win scenario for the environment, for suffering children and for the farmers who produce the food." For full editorial, go to http://www.meatingplace.com/DailyNews/pop.asp?ID=10930. Back to Top

New Jersey Proposing New Standards
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is proposing to adopt N.J.A.C. 2:8, which would establish standards for the humane raising, keeping, care, treatment, marketing and sale of domestic livestock, as well as rules and regulations governing the enforcement of those standards. Full text of the proposed rule and all impact statements will be published in the New Jersey Register dated May 5, 2003 and can be accessed at http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/rule168.pdf. Notice of the rule proposal can be accessed at http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/rule168a.pdf. A reference addressing sow body condiction used as a basis for this proposal can be accessed at http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/humanebcssow.pdf. Comments may be submitted by July 4, 2003 to: Dr. Nancy E. Halpern, Director, Division of Animal Health, NJ Dept. of Agriculture, P.O. Box 330, Trenton, NJ 08625-0330 or humane.standards@ag.state.nj.us. Back to Top

E-Learning Project Slated for Fall Roll Out
In Fall 2003, the National Pork Board will initiate a series of home study courses for pork producers which can be taught in a group setting or can be experienced alone in the comfort of your home or office. These self-paced courses or modules are intended for employee and manager training. Fifteen to twenty programs are slated to be available by early next year. The first set to be showcased this Fall includes farrowing management, segregated early weaning nursery management, the breeding herd, grow/finish management, risk management, business strategies, human resources, and NPB's Swine Animal Welfare Program. Future modules will include disease problem solving, environmental troubleshooting, pork quality and developing a business plan, among others. Stay tuned! For more information, contact Dr. David Meisinger at 515/223-2600 or e-mail him at David.Meisinger@porkboard.org. Back to Top

EQUIP Application Process Timeline
According to OSU experts Brent Sohngen, Gary Graham, and Jon Rausch, the Environmental Quality Incentives (EQUIP) Program is underway across the state. The first phase of funding will be taking place in June. The 1997 Fact Sheet on EQIP that will help with the application process has been revised and can be accessed at http://ohioline.osu.edu/ae-fact/0002.html. However, farmers who are serious about applying need to visit their local NRCS office. Of the $4.4 million of Ohio's EQUIP money, allocations will include: $50,000 per county (57% of total funds); $1.9 million prioritized by environmental index and sent to 35 or so high ranking counties; $1.5 million will be held back for state projects and large projects approved by State Conservationist. Ranking criteria will be available shortly on the Ohio NRCS website. For further assistance and details, visit the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Ohio Web page at http://www.oh.nrcs.usda.gov or NRCS Federal web page at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip. Back to Top

Barn Preservation Workshops
Good farmers know never to waste anything, including old farm buildings. However, knowing what to do with the building and how to go about repairing or refitting for a new use can create a mow full of challenges. Upcoming workshops will help barn owners and enthusiasts navigate the pitfalls of barn preservation. Barn Again! in Ohio and Indiana will take place on June 27th and 28th. Go to http://preble.osu.edu/ag/brochure.PDF to access the program registration brochure with a schedule for both days. Back to Top

USDA-NASA Geospatial Extension Programs
On May 30th, Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator Sean O'Keefe launched a partnership that will utilize earth science such as remote sensing technologies to protect the environment and enhance the agricultural competitiveness of American farmers and ranchers. Veneman and O'Keefe signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that permits USDA to draw on the best scientific and technical information available from NASA in monitoring, mapping, modeling and systems engineering. The primary purpose of this new cooperative effort is to help increase the production efficiency of farmers while continuing to reduce the cost of production by bringing more practical benefits of science and technology into agricultural applications. To read the entire press conference transcript go to http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2003/05/0178.htm. Back to Top

July 20-23 Financial Management Conference
As the pork industry continues to change and as changes arise, it is vital that all segments of an operation understand the industry. The Pork Checkoff is offering this conference for people involved in accounting and financial management or pork operations. The conference will be held at the Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, July 20-23. For details, contact Jami Elliott at the National Pork Board (jami.elliott@porkboard.org) or check the NPB website at http://www.porkboard.org/confsevents/default.asp. Back to Top

Swine Reproduction Seminar for Spanish Speaking Employees
The University of Illinois, University of Missouri, Illinois Pork Producers Association and IMV International are pleased to offer a swine reproductive program with Spanish language translation on June 11, 2003, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois. The program is set at the introductory level and is focused on providing individuals with the knowledge to improve their techniques and understanding of factors that influence the efficiency of pig reproduction. For a schedule and other details, go to
http://porkinfo.osu.edu/PDF%20Files/spanish.swine.repro.seminarJune03.pdf. Back to Top

Weanling Pig Studies
Rapid improvements in lean growth potential, health status and management of the weaned pig have resulted in changes in the energy and amino acid requirements such that previous recommendations or diet formulations used in the past may no longer result in maximum performance. In addition, recent research showing that increases in nursery exit weights will be doubled by marketing places even greater importance on maximizing weight gain of the weanling pig. So, we ask the question: how much lysine is enough and how much is too much, and how much lysine in the starter is economical? For further details of the study, go to the Prairie Swine Centre at http://adminsrv.usask.ca/psci/WhatsNew/June03/LysineDE.htm.

A second study was conducted to examine the impact of group size / density and feeder adjustment on the performance of weanling pigs. Providing more floor space resulted in increased body weight at 10 weeks of age. Performance was maximized when the feeder gap allowed for 40% of the trough to be covered with feed. Moreover, proper adjustment of the feeder reduced the time spent eating and thus increased feeder capacity. For further details of the study, go to the Prairie Swine Centre at http://adminsrv.usask.ca/
psci/WhatsNew/June03/FeederAdjustment.htm. Back to Top

Revisions on Ohio Nutritent Management and Waste Utilization Disclosed
Revisions are being made to the Ohio NRCS Nutrient Management (590) and Waste Utilization (633) standards to address the following areas of concern: 1) Winter manure application runoff problems. 2) Liquid manure entering subsurface drainage systems and discharging. 3) Surface application of manure on "systematically" surface drained fields. and 4) Setbacks to address new CAFO rules and ODA Rules. For details, go to
Word Documents/USDANRCS.updates5.20.03.doc. Back to Top

COOL & the U.S. Pork Industry
“Facts on COOL” is an educational 8-week series of special issue papers by the National Pork Producers Council, designed to educate the Congress, news media, and general public on the short and long-term negative impacts that mandatory country-of-origin will have on the entire U.S. pork industry. This much-anticipated series of issue papers will show why increasing numbers of pork producers nationwide are changing their position and now opposing mandatory COOL. To access these issue papers, go to http://www.nppc.org/issue_brief/archive.html. Back to Top

Points for Avoiding West Nile Virus
You've most likely heard that mosquitoes may be carrying West Nile Virus this summer. You can "Fight the Bite" and protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes by using insect repellents containing DEET, avoiding being outside during times of high mosquito activity, and draining places where mosquitoes may be breeding. For complete details, go to Word Documents/West.Nile.virus.news.releaseJune.2003.doc to access the OSU June news release. Back to Top

West Nile Virus Resources
The Ohio Department of Health is supplying OSU with weekly updates on West Nile Virus activity in Ohio. These updates will be posted on Mondays on the Pesticide Education Program website at http://pested.osu.edu. Look under the "West Nile Virus Resources" link on the right side of the home page. Check it out every Monday afternoon for the latest information. Back to Top

Resources on Monkeypox
According to William P. Shulaw DVM, MS Extension Veterinarian at Ohio State University, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) now has an extensive website on the monkeypox outbreak at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/monkeypox. The CDC link to information for veterinarians and pet owners at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/monkeypox/
animalguidance.htm is also very helpful. CDC indicates that for the present time, all animals should be considered susceptible. Owners with questions about ownership of prairie dogs should contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) at 614/728-6220. In Ohio only neutered prairie dogs are allowed to be owned by private individuals. Those persons importing them into Ohio should contact the ODA for a permit, and if the animal is too young for neutering, they should inform ODA when that is completed. Prairie dogs that have been owned for 6 months or more may not have risk of exposure to monkeypox. If the owner has questions about possible exposure of their prairie dog, they should contact the ODA. You may also contact Dr. Shulaw at 614/292-9453 phone; 614/292-4142 fax; or e-mail at shulaw.1@osu.edu. Back to Top