Pig farms rebound from virus; meat prices may drop
Source: AP-Excite
By DAVID PITT
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A virus that killed millions of baby pigs in the last year and led to higher pork prices has waned thanks to warmer weather and farmers' efforts to sterilize their operations. And as pigs' numbers increase, sticker shock on things like bacon should ease.
Already, hog supplies are on the rise, with 5.46 million baby pigs born between June and August in Iowa, the nation's leading producer — the highest quarterly total in 20 years and a record 10.7 surviving pigs per litter, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report.
It's a significant turnaround from a year ago when the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus was wiping out entire litters. Since the virus first showed up, the federal government rushed to give conditional approval for a vaccine and those in the industry began taking precautions, such as disinfecting trucks, equipment and clothing.
"We've gotten better at managing biosecurity and establishing health protocols," said Greg Lear, a producer near Spencer, Iowa, who lost more than 800 baby pigs last December. "I think Mother Nature helped us with sunshine. It doesn't like sunshine and warmer temperatures."
FULL story at link.
FILE - In this Jan. 4, 2005 file photo, a group of young pigs stare out of a pen at a hog farm in central North Dakota. A virus that killed millions of baby pigs in the last year and led to higher pork prices has waned thanks to warmer weather and farmers{2019} efforts to sterilize their operations. And as pigs{2019} numbers increase, sticker shock on things like bacon should ease. (AP Photo/Will Kincaid, File)
Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20141011/us-food-and-farm-pig-virus-bc3d8a6327.html
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