Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Pork Featured Articles

Better Pork magazine is published bimonthly. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


A long ride is less stressful

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Shorter truck trips are more stressful to market hogs than longer truck rides, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Animal Science.

The reason? Pigs need time to recover from the stress of loading before they get stressed again when they disembark, says Prof. Michael Ellis, at the University of Illinois's Urbana-Champaign campus.

Another stress factor is floor space. Overcrowding is stressful, but pigs that have too much space are thrown around as the livestock truck moves. University researchers found that U.S. market pigs on average require five square feet each.

Co-author of the study with Ellis was Bradley Wolter, chief operating officer of the Maschhoffs packing company in Carlyle, Ill. Wolter says working with Ellis allowed the company to reduce pig losses due to transportation and handling by more than one percentage point in a system that was already well managed and where less than half a per cent of pigs died because of movement and handling. BP

Current Issue

October 2026

Better Pork Magazine

Farms.com Swine News

Ag in the House: Oct. 5 – 9

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre used some of his time during question period on Oct. 5 to pressure the government on high diesel prices affecting farmers, and asked if the prime minister will take action. He cited a news article from Quebec where a farmer is paying an extra $2,000... Read this article online

CentreBC election promises

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Farms.com is continuing its coverage of election promises for farmers leading up to the Oct. 24 provincial election in B.C. This article focuses on CentreBC. If elected to form the next government, Elenore Sturko’s party has plans to support B.C.’s ag sector. “We will set 10-year... Read this article online

Kubota Brings Precision Guidance for Smaller Machines

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Precision agriculture technology has traditionally been associated with large row-crop tractors and high-horsepower equipment. Kubota is aiming to change that with the launch of WorkSmart Autosteer, a new precision guidance system designed specifically for compact and utility-sized... Read this article online

Heart of Harvest Supports Rural Cardiac Care

Monday, October 12, 2026

The Southern Alberta agriculture community is preparing to come together for a special fundraising event aimed at improving healthcare services in the region. Heart of Harvest, presented by Crop Aid Nutrition, will support efforts to expand cardiac care services and help strengthen... Read this article online

Hensall Co-op Supports Ronald McDonald House

Monday, October 12, 2026

Hensall Co-op is recognizing Co-op Week 2026 by launching a community-focused initiative designed to support rural families facing medical challenges. The program, called Farm Families Feeding Families, highlights the important role farm families play in providing food while also helping... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2026 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top