HIGGINSVILLE, Mo. — When it comes to raising Hampshire pigs on his diversified family farm in Lafayette County, Mike Williams knows genetics are crucial. He enjoys that pursuit of continually trying to get better.

“I like the genetics and how you build a better product,” he says.

MELVIN, Ill. — When the pandemic arrived in 2020, Bob Miller, like other pork producers, adjusted to the changes affecting both his show pig business and his pork retail business.

In many cases, the show went on for show pigs across the county, but some big events including state fairs were canceled.

MASONVILLE, Iowa — Mark Dolan always planned to come home to farm, and that call came in 2005.

Dolan and his wife Beth were living in the Ames area when his father called to ask him to help with a growing finishing operation.

A new study could soon help livestock producers monitor and control building emissions and odor.

As part of his work as a University of Missouri Extension professor and engineer, Teng Teeh Lim was involved with the National Air Emission Monitoring Study. He says this national effort provided a look at agricultural building emissions.

The combines are ready to roll, but before hog producers climb into their machines, they should make time to check the condition of hog buildings.

The major concern before cold weather arrives is ventilation, says Eileen Fabian, Extension ag engineer with Penn State University.

DUBUQUE, Iowa — October marks the observance of National Pork Month, and at an upcoming event some people will have the chance to learn a bit more about where their meat comes from.

Iowa State University Extension is hosting a Meet the Meat event in Dubuque Oct. 9 where attendees will learn how to find the right cut of pork as well as cook a meal with the help of a professional chef. The event is based on another class Iowa State University Extension specialist Brittany Demezier led in February 2020 which focused on beef.

Sheri Schafer’s students are getting a better understanding of cooking with pork, thanks to her creative teaching methods and some help from pork farmers.

Altamont High School, where Schafer teaches, was one of 24 schools awarded grants last spring by the Illinois Pork Producers Association. The association spends $10,000 annually to provide teachers with support in culinary courses. The association recently handed out 22 more grants for the fall. The awards average $500 per school, depending on size and other factors.

Scott Brown is the director of strategic partnerships for the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and is an Extension ag economist.

Brown joined Mizzou in 1989 as a research associate in FAPRI, the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute. He is an expert in Missouri agricultural policy, as well as the livestock market outlook and dairy policy. He has testified before Congress on the quantitative effects of changes in federal dairy and livestock policies, and currently works with the Missouri legislature on the economic effects of state policy options on Missouri agriculture. He also provides regular market outlooks on the livestock and dairy industries.

URBANA, Ill. — When pigs get hit with significant illnesses during key stages of pregnancy, their immune response may negatively affect developing piglets, making them less productive on the farm.

New research from the University of Illinois shows that when those piglets — especially males — experience a second stressor in early life, they are at higher risk of neurodevelopmental and other neurological anomalies, putting them at an even greater disadvantage in production settings.