NPPC Supports Legislation To Stop States From Dictating Production Practices In Other States

Stating that “pork producers, not animal-right activists, lawmakers or regulators, should make the decisions about what production practices are best for their animals and for producing safe food,” Neil Dierks, CEO of the National Pork Producers Council, in congressional testimony pledged the organization’s support for legislation that would prohibit a state from imposing tax or regulatory burdens on businesses, including pork operations, …

Vaccine Bank Needed To Protect Food, National Security

Citing economic and food and national security concerns, an ad hoc coalition of more than 100 agricultural organizations and allied industries groups urged Congress to include in the next Farm Bill language establishing and funding a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine bank. FMD is an infectious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, pigs, and sheep; it is not a food safety or human …

Red Meat Export Momentum Continues

U.S. red meat (beef and pork) exports had a strong month of May, increasing significantly from April as well as from 2016 levels. USDA statistics compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation show pork exports reached more than 222,000 metric tons. That’s an 11 percent year-over-year increase and the fourth largest monthly volume on record. Pork exports were valued at …

Swine Veterinarian Fly-In

The National Pork Producers Council and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians are hosting their Washington, D.C. legislative fly-in today and tomorrow, July 11-12.  Swine veterinarians from across the country will visit congressional lawmakers, discussing their priority issues. The veterinarians are expected to urge members of Congress to include in the 2018 Farm Bill language establishing a vaccine bank to …

NPPC Testimony Details Benefits of NAFTA

Last week, the National Pork Producers Council submitted to the House Ways and Means Committee testimony on the importance of trade to the U.S. pork industry. The organization focused on the benefits of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), stressing the vital role the agreement has played in U.S. economic and agricultural expansion. According to the NPPC, in 2016 U.S. …

41 PEDV Sites Confirmed in Manitoba

The Manitoba Pork Council confirms 41 sites in the province have tested positive in a Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus outbreak. The southeast part of the province is where the outbreak is centered. A National Hog Farmer Dot Com article says officials have confirmed PEDV on 18 operations representing over 54,000 sows. It’s also been confirmed on seven nurseries representing over …

Strong Demand for U.S. Pork in South Korea

One of this year’s top-performing international markets for U.S. pork is South Korea, where exports through April are up 28 percent year-over-year in volume, 37 percent in value. Joe Schuele has more.   Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle …

U.S. Swine Herd is Expanding

The June USDA quarterly hog and pigs report showed an expanding U.S. swine herd. As of June 1st, there were 71.7 million hogs and pigs on American farms, up three percent from June of 2016 and the second largest inventory on record ever. National Hog Farmer Dot Com says the industry is in a growth mode, with the question now …

All-American July 4th Cookout Down Slightly

Remains Under $6 Per Person A cookout of Americans’ favorite foods for the Fourth of July, including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and chocolate milk, will cost slightly less this year, coming in at less than $6 per person, says the American Farm Bureau Federation. Farm Bureau’s informal survey reveals the average cost of a …