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.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine is proud to announce Bill Minton, DVM ’85, as one of three recipients of its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to veterinary medicine, education and service to the swine industry. Minton earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ohio State in 1985 after completing a Bachelor of

Join Four Star Veterinary Service for the Midwest pork industry’s premier educational and networking event CHICKASAW, Ohio (July 16, 2025) — Four Star Veterinary Service announces its annual 2025 Pork Industry Conference will be held September 9-10, 2025 in Muncie, Indiana and invites producers, nutritionists, academia and industry from North America to attend. The centrally located event features an educational

What is porcine sapovirus? Porcine sapovirus is an enteric virus in the same family as norovirus. However, its clinical signs are less severe than norovirus. “There are a lot of unknowns with sapovirus, but it is thought to be transmitted between pigs through a fecal-oral contamination route, and it persists in the environment once it is established,” said Cary Sexton,

Spring has been stubborn this year. Much of the Midwest is still experiencing cool, wet weather with temperatures dipping below freezing at night. For many producers, dairy calving season is every day, so it’s important to stay vigilant with newborn dairy calves amid our fluctuating weather. Dr. Erika Nagorske, DVM with Four Star Veterinary Service in Chickasaw, Ohio, recently shared

PRRS, labor, sow housing and foreign animal disease top the list for this veterinarian who is also a pork producer Dr. Peter Schneider, veterinarian at Innovative Agriculture Solutions a partner of Four Star Veterinary Service, spoke to attendees at the Annual Four Star Pork Industry Conference held in Muncie, Indiana in September 2024. His family also owns a 1,200-sow farrow-to-finish

Quick tips for beef calving season  Erika Nagorske, DVM with Four Star Veterinary Service in Chickasaw, Ohio recently spoke to The Cattle Site’s Sarah Mikesell about challenges during beef calving season. Dr. Nagorske is based out of Rushmore, Minnesota. With calving season upon us, some producers may just be starting while others may be knee-deep into the season. It seems

If your calves are producing tears, that’s a good thing, according to Dr. Taylor Engle, veterinarian with Four Star Veterinary Service, Chickasaw, Ohio. All land mammals – including calves — have the ability to produce “reflex tears” to lubricate their eyes. So, if your calves are shedding tears, don’t cry. Those tears are actually a very helpful component of their

Rotavirus can create a missed opportunity for sow farmers Anthony Holowka, DVM with Four Star Veterinary Service in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, recently spoke to The Pig Site’s Sarah Mikesell to explain the clinical signs of rotavirus, how to treat rotavirus with natural planned exposure and a few lessons learned using natural planned exposure in the breeding herd. What is rotavirus? Rotavirus

What happens in the nursery is critical for post-weaning success Dr. Jason Woodworth, research professor at Kansas State University, spoke to attendees at the Annual Four Star Pork Industry Conference held in Muncie, Indiana in September 2024. His message focused on getting pigs off to a strong start in the nursery and setting them up for success post-weaning.   Preweaning