Ohio State’s Dr. Andréia Arruda says measuring day-to-day biosecurity practices can help swine farms identify weaknesses before the next PRRS outbreak   When porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) enters a swine farm, the immediate question is often the same: How did it get here? But Dr. Andréia G. Arruda, associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine

US pork production is expected to continue climbing through 2027, while weaker retail demand, higher costs and declining food-dollar share challenge producer profitability. US consumers are eating more meat and showing a renewed interest in protein, creating a favorable environment for animal agriculture. But for pork producers, that broader protein momentum comes with an important caveat: pork has not captured

Proper acclimation, adequate space, effective boar exposure and attention to breeding weight and estrus can help producers develop gilts that remain productive in the sow herd   Gilts are the foundation of the breeding herd, making their development one of the most important opportunities producers have to influence future sow performance and retention. From health acclimation and facility design to

Join Four Star Veterinary Service for the Midwest pork industry’s premier educational and networking event CHICKASAW, Ohio (July 28, 2026) — Four Star Veterinary Service announces its annual 2026 Pork Industry Conference will be held September 1-2, 2026, in Muncie, Indiana and invites producers, nutritionists, academia and industry partners from North America to register and attend. This centrally located Midwest event offers

Dr. Erika Nagorske outlines how identifying fly species and acting early can protect cattle performance and herd health As temperatures begin to rise across cattle-producing regions, fly pressure quickly becomes more than a seasonal nuisance – it becomes a measurable drag on animal performance and herd health. According to Dr. Erika Nagorske, veterinarian with Minton Veterinary Service, part of Four

Four Star Veterinary Service’s Harrison Dudley, DVM, explains why nutrition, bull management and data-driven decision-making are central to long-term herd fertility and profitability For beef cattle producers, reproductive management is one of the most important drivers of long-term herd profitability. Yet according to Harrison Dudley, DVM, with Four Star Veterinary Service based in North Carolina, reproductive success is rarely determined

I appreciated the opportunity to join the Swine it Podcast Canada for a discussion on decision-making, profitability, and practical execution in swine production. It feels especially appropriate to have a Canada/USA collaboration near World Veterinary Day! One of the themes I come back to often is that the “right” protocol on paper only creates value if it can be implemented

ISU’s Dr. Phillip Gauger warns industry to stay vigilant as pathogen intensify As U.S. pork producers work to stabilize margins and sustain herd health in an environment where disease pressures continue to evolve, the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ISU VDL) remains on the front lines. During his presentation at the 2025 Four Star Pork Industry Conference held in

Dr. Daniel Gascho says proper handling, timing and on-farm discipline remain biggest drivers of vaccine success. At a time when disease pressure continues to challenge pork production systems across the United States, vaccination remains one of the most valuable and heavily discussed tools available to veterinarians and producers. Speaking at the 2025 Four Star Pork Industry Conference in Muncie, Indiana,

With hog margins at their best levels since 2021, US pork is leaning on efficiency, heavier carcasses and global demand to drive profitability Brian Earnest, lead animal protein industry analyst at CoBank, shared a wide-angle view of how macro trends are reshaping food demand before diving deeper into the impact on exports, consumption and market opportunities for the US and

Despite inflation and labor tightness, economist Brian Earnest says animal protein demand “has been phenomenal” Brian Earnest, lead animal protein industry analyst at CoBank, shared a wide-angle view of the US economy and how macro trends are reshaping food demand at the Four Star Pork Industry Conference in Muncie, Indiana. His first point was straightforward: America’s consumers and its workforce

Focus, don’t overdo: A data-driven approach suggests where to spend your time for the greatest impact The hours immediately following birth can shape a piglet’s future performance and survival. That “day one” period in the farrowing house is a high-stakes environment where labor limitations, protocol implementation and biological needs all collide. At the 2025 Four Star Pork Industry Conference, Dr.