Exports to Japan grew 23% to 1,644 tonnes, more than making up for the reduced exports of frozen pork to Hong Kong, which now bars sales of frozen pork in fresh pork markets. Export forecastOverall, Thailand s pork export trend this year looks promising, with shipments anticipated to increase by 8% to 12,000 tonnes, over last years 11. Thai processed pork exports were up 9% in the first three months of 2007, with Japan leading the way, the Thai Swine Producers and Processors for Export...

The proposed voluntary certification program would increase the ability of producers to export pork and pork products to overseas markets. Under the proposed program, APHIS would certify pork production sites that follow good production practices to reduce, eliminate or avoid the risk of exposure of animals to Trichinella spiralis, a parasitic roundworm found in swine. Since the end of March, hog prices have seen a strong seasonal surge. Hog prices have reached $54 in recent weeks. The new...

Purdue ag economist Chris Hurt says while export demand will continue, the marketing margin benefit may not last, and pork profitability will be challenged to remain in the black over the next 12 months. With high prices for corn and soybean meal, profitability will be challenged in the coming months. Hurt says prices should be strong through August, based on the futures market, but may drop into the fall period. Hurt: Pork Margins Stay in the Black Thursday, May 24, 2007 There has been...

Rabobank International predicts it will become increasingly challenging for the Canadian Pork industry to maintain its export markets but there are still opportunities. A combination of factors, including the increasing value of the Canadian dollar and rising feed grain costs, have made it increasingly difficult for Canadian pork exporters to compete on the international market. Rabobank International executive director food and agribusiness research Fiona Boal predicts a slight reduction...

So what s a hog farmer to do now that corn has doubled in price? Corn farmers are buying condos in Sarasota, but hog farmers are pondering anything but the bacon business. After Mom scraped the supper dishes each night, I had to carry the big, heavy bucket of slop out to the hog pen and pour it in their trough. For the reader who is not abreast of swine nutrition, our hogs ate more than slop-bucket stew. When you mix potato peels, rotten tomatoes, burnt beans, moldy biscuits, clabber milk,...