But at Marina Kuzmenko's apartment, the hog is a faithful friend that bows its head in greeting and prefers sleeping in its owner's bed. Only articles from today's edition are available for free on our web site. This is only an excerpt from the full story. The entire article is approximately 725 words in length. Market Matters Steel and Power Lead the Sochi Gold Rush As crowds in Sochi reveled in the city's Olympic win, traders in Moscow huddled to figure out how to cash in on it,...

In addition to porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), other diseases such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), salmonella and influenza are usually part of any PCVAD outbreak, said John Kolb, senior manager for swine biologicals with Boehringer Ingelheim. In addition to porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), other diseases such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), salmonella and influenza are usually part of any PCVAD outbreak, said John Kolb, senior manager...

Before identifying those issues for 2008, board members will receive input from an outside panel of industry and non-industry experts that has been helping the board identify emerging issues in the pork industry. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health and pork safety. Those committees advise the board on specific program initiatives...

The new permit allows the plant to slaughter 9.5 million hogs annually, up from the slightly less than 8.5 million that it now slaughters. Smithfield can't increase production until it installs equipment to reduce the amount of nitrogen in the water it discharges into the Cape Fear River. He had not seen details of the permit because he was traveling. It's allowed to discharge a maximum of 3 million gallons of water per day into the river. The state Division of Water Quality on Thursday...

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...