FYI on Swine

Due to the potentially undesirable effects of antibiotics as growth promoters in poultry production, researchers are looking for viable alternative to limit or replace their use.

Farmers can lower their taxable income and plan for the future of their operations by taking advantage of several provisions included in the recently approved American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, says The Farm CPA Paul Neiffer.

Farmers can lower their taxable income and plan for the future of their operations by taking advantage of several provisions included in the recently approved American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, says The Farm CPA Paul Neiffer.

Form tool to extract livestock data into usable sets.

Form tool to extract livestock data into usable sets.

Learn more about some of the terms used on pig farms.

Learn more about some of the terms used on pig farms.

In recent years there has been growing concern over the potential spread of antimicrobial resistance from the use of antibiotics in animals to humans and that they may play a significant role in causing resistance in man. However, much of the views regarding antimicrobial resistance transfer from animals to man is speculative and it is difficult to obtain finite information of the actual risks. However, it does not stop the lay press expressing opinions of the quantity and a figure of up to 70% has been promulgated. Even in more sophisticated reports (BuRO, 2010) the Bureau of Risk Assessment and Research Programming in a report to the Dutch Government stated, “There are no hard evidence on the actual importance of transfer of resistance from the animal to the human sector but a rough estimate is that 33-50% of the resistance observed in infectious agents for humans, comes from the agricultural sector.”

In recent years there has been growing concern over the potential spread of antimicrobial resistance from the use of antibiotics in animals to humans and that they may play a significant role in causing resistance in man. However, much of the views regarding antimicrobial resistance transfer from animals to man is speculative and it is difficult to obtain finite information of the actual risks. However, it does not stop the lay press expressing opinions of the quantity and a figure of up to 70% has been promulgated. Even in more sophisticated reports (BuRO, 2010) the Bureau of Risk Assessment and Research Programming in a report to the Dutch Government stated, “There are no hard evidence on the actual importance of transfer of resistance from the animal to the human sector but a rough estimate is that 33-50% of the resistance observed in infectious agents for humans, comes from the agricultural sector.”

Albeit having similar determinants, the conversion index of the best (25%) and of the least efficient producers (25%) can differ in 0.42 points (DPP, 2007). The influence of the genetics and the nutrition (formulation and manufacturing of the compound feed) on the conversion index (CI) is clear. Nevertheless, other actions that are closer to the daily production routines can mean immediate improvements in the efficiency.

Albeit having similar determinants, the conversion index of the best (25%) and of the least efficient producers (25%) can differ in 0.42 points (DPP, 2007). The influence of the genetics and the nutrition (formulation and manufacturing of the compound feed) on the conversion index (CI) is clear. Nevertheless, other actions that are closer to the daily production routines can mean immediate improvements in the efficiency.

Major food and seed companies appear to be on the verge of defeating a California ballot initiative that, if passed on Tuesday, would create the first labeling requirement for genetically modified foods in the United States. In a campaign reminiscent of this summer's successful fight against a proposed tobacco tax in California, opposition funded by Monsanto Co, DuPont, PepsiCo Inc and others unleashed waves of TV and radio advertisements against Proposition 37 and managed to turn the tide of public opinion.

Major food and seed companies appear to be on the verge of defeating a California ballot initiative that, if passed on Tuesday, would create the first labeling requirement for genetically modified foods in the United States. In a campaign reminiscent of this summer's successful fight against a proposed tobacco tax in California, opposition funded by Monsanto Co, DuPont, PepsiCo Inc and others unleashed waves of TV and radio advertisements against Proposition 37 and managed to turn the tide of public opinion.

Commodity prices were increasing even before the dry spell. Economists say even bigger hikes are ahead as the poor U.S. harvest ripples through the food chain. Now fast-food giants, fancy eateries and even corner coffee shops are scrambling to adjust. The cost of food rivals labor as the top expense for most restaurants. Restaurateurs are revamping menus, reducing portion sizes and even considering staff cuts. In the months to come, they say, watch for smaller steaks, fewer tortillas per entree and maybe even menu-wide price increases.

Commodity prices were increasing even before the dry spell. Economists say even bigger hikes are ahead as the poor U.S. harvest ripples through the food chain. Now fast-food giants, fancy eateries and even corner coffee shops are scrambling to adjust. The cost of food rivals labor as the top expense for most restaurants. Restaurateurs are revamping menus, reducing portion sizes and even considering staff cuts. In the months to come, they say, watch for smaller steaks, fewer tortillas per entree and maybe even menu-wide price increases.