Perhaps it is an overreaction. Perhaps it is an opportunity to cut back on costs. Perhaps it is neither or both, but I have heard of cases where major pig producers are keeping growing-finishing gilts back for breeding as they decided to stop bringing in new genetic stock in fear of introducing the African swine fever (ASF) virus to their herds.

During the last two great world wars, the United States of America aided its Allies in Europe. It offered material, funds and, above all, blood and lives.

Another victim of the African swine fever (ASF) virus that is wiping out a huge chunk of the global pig industry, with no sign it has peaked, is the feed additives industry. Unlike previous years when this industry made tremendous gains by siding with the movement to reduce antibiotic usage in the animal industry, there appears very little role left for it to play in the crisis.

There is no denying that reducing antibiotic usage has become a political movement in some countries. But for now, there seems to be a lull in the fight against antibiotic usage.

Summer, heat stress and oxidation are all common terms associated with animal feeds when the temperature goes up, especially in areas with high humidity.

Is there a future for mega farms in our modern society? This is a question that keeps puzzling many layers of our societies, especially those of the more developed world.

We have discussed numerous times how best to feed animals during summer heat waves. In reality, we have been discussing only two aspects this problem: reformulation and additives.

Abnormal weather events, the spread of African swine fever and trade tensions will have an effect on global cereals and soy prices.

Modern dairy production practices require a more intense approach to daily nutrition for animals that are often kept indoors producing milk yields that can reach 50 liters per day.

So, you want to find out what are the cons and pros of having your own people working out of your own facilities (usually an office and a warehouse, if even that at the beginning). Here is a brief list coming out of my own experiences with similar exercises – not all of them successful, even remotely.

Legislators have decided to ban feeding growth-promoting antibiotics to all pigs, and they are trying to reduce even therapeutic use in order to protect human health.

The style of 2017’s European Symposium on Poultry Nutrition (ESPN) was followed to the letter in 2019, to my disappointment.