Painful market conditions and a gloomy hog production outlook bookend the announcement Tuesday of Smithfield Foods' quarterly losses of $78.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2009.

6/16/2009, 9:18 AM CDT

An altogether inaccurate public perception that the H1N1 virus, formerly known as the "swine flu," is somehow related to hogs and carries risks in the consumption of pork has already done damage to the livestock market. The hog market is four days into a slide and packer demand has slowed. Now, the industry looks ahead to what many say will be a continued erosion in demand in the near future.

4/30/2009, 3:51 PM CDT

The "swine flu kneejerk" has come and gone in the grain trade. But, attention remains on what's now being called "North American influenza." In the meantime, animal health officials are working to clarify what the H1N1 virus means to both human and animal health.

4/28/2009, 2:04 PM CDT

Though the disease's actual human casualties are small in number to this point, the news about the spread of swine flu became its own pandemic over the weekend. As a new week begins, so do reactions around the world, including those in the businesses and industries associated with the flu strain's namesake.

4/27/2009, 11:17 AM CDT

Health officials in Mexico are closing down public facilities nationwide and taking other strong precautions to stem the spread of what's being reported as a strain of swine influenza. Officials in the southern U.S. are also reporting suspected cases of the swine flu, and young adults are said to be the most susceptible to infection, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

4/24/2009, 3:37 PM CDT

New information from a nationwide survey of cattle producers shows that the industry's raising a lot more than just cattle. Sustaining grass and rangelands, protecting wildlife habitats and maintaining natural waterways are a few ways ranchers can help protect the environment, the survey shows.

4/22/2009, 10:32 AM CDT

The National Pork Producers Council Monday filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's decision to require livestock farms to file reports under the Environmental Protection and Community Right To Know Act (EPCRA).

1/19/2009, 4:05 PM CST

A dip in production and lower feed costs are reasons to believe profits could be returning for hog farmers in 2009, says one livestock economist.

1/07/2009, 11:21 AM CST

A high-school senior's situation is familiar among youth in production agriculture. He wants to get something of his own started. But, knowing how to take that next step is commonly troubling.

12/12/2008, 3:34 PM CST

Munch and move, munch and move. That's what cows do, and that's what a good rotational pasture system does as well. This on-and-off grazing system will give your pastures much needed recovery time, and will increase animal production per acre by 25% to 30%.

11/24/2008, 1:54 PM CST