Two of the biggest issues that pork producers will be talking about this week at Expo are world pork trade, and the upcoming farm bill debate in Congress, says Appell. The 19th annual event kicked off Thursday, and before it's over on Saturday afternoon, 30,000 people will enter the gates and get a look at the current status of the pork industry -- and it's in pretty good shape. The pork industry has experienced an unprecedented rise in feed costs in the last year due to the explosion in...

By Edward Cody Washington Post Foreign Service Friday, June 1, 2007; Page D01 BEIJING, May 31 -- China on Thursday strongly contested complaints it is exporting tainted food and other products to the United States, saying controls here are improving and U. By Edward Cody Washington Post Foreign Service Friday, June 1, 2007; Page D01 BEIJING, May 31 -- China on Thursday strongly contested complaints it is exporting tainted food and other products to the United States, saying controls here...

RALEIGH Democratic presidential prospect John Edwards is throwing his weight behind labor activists who are trying to pressure the worlds largest hog slaughterhouse into recognizing a union without an employee vote. Smithfield executives have said they would support a secret-ballot vote, but union leaders argue the company wont allow a fair election. He also joined in labors call for card-check neutrality, which would allow labor groups to certify their standing as soon as they get the...

The impact of the ethanol driven rise in corn prices continues to generate the attention of everyone from members of Congress, to academics, to the end users of these crops, to farmers who are trying to find the mix of crops that will best serve them in the coming year. The impact of the ethanol driven rise in corn prices continues to generate the attention of everyone from members of Congress, to academics, to the end users of these crops, to farmers who are trying to find the mix of...

DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters) - A record 3-1/2 year stretch of profits for hog producers appears to be coming to an end this year due to high corn costs, but a growing export market could again bolster profits in coming years, a leading agriculture economist said. DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters) - A record 3-1/2 year stretch of profits for hog producers appears to be coming to an end this year due to high corn costs, but a growing export market could again bolster profits in coming years, a...