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Regulation of pastured hogs in the wet season?

Q: Hi! I heard from a source of questionable credibility that hog operations aren't allowed to have hogs on pasture past November 1st and through the winter. I'm hoping to find more information on this. I am involved in a small hog operation that is considering using a 4 acre plot to finish 8 hogs.

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Livestock & Wildfire Resource Hub

Wildfire, via smoke and flames, can endanger the health and productivity of livestock. We are investigating the effects of wildfire—particularly smoke—on cattle. With a more thorough understanding of how wildfire smoke changes animal physiology, we can develop better strategies to alleviate that stress. We invite you to explore our website to learn more about this hazard and our research and outreach projects. Feel free to contact project members at Oregon State University or the University of Idaho with questions.

Jul 2023 | Online resource

Over-the-counter sale of livestock antibiotics ends June 11, 2023. How can you prepare?

Federal rules in 2023 end the over-the-counter sale of some livestock antibiotics. You will need prescriptions from a veterinarian to treat your animals.

Charles Estill | Mar 2023 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Livestock Evacuation during Wildfires

Learn about the development of an Ag Pass Program in California to improve farmer and rancher access to properties to take care of livestock during wildfires. Mathew Shapero, University of California Extension Livestock and Range ...

Mar 2022 | Video

Hog Production Alternatives

This publication addresses the two different directions in which hog production is currently moving: 1) contracting with large-scale vertical integrators (producers/packers/processors linked from farrowing to packing to the retail counter), and 2) sustainable production of a smaller number of hogs sold through alternative markets. The aspects of sustainable hog production discussed in this publication include alternative niche marketing, breed selection, alternative feeds, waste management, odor control, health concerns, and humane treatment. Basic production practices are not covered in this publication, but they are readily available in many books and through state Cooperative Extension Services.

Lance Gregner | Oct 2021 | Online resource

Tips for livestock care in high temperatures

When a heat wave hits, don't forget that livestock need help to cope with the high temperatures too. Here are five things you can do to help livestock stay cool.

Jenifer Cruickshank | Jun 2021 | Article

USDA feeder pig grades and standards

This website lists the official USDA grades and standards for feeder pigs. It is useful to compare the pigs you raise with the standards. You can use this information for improving your herd or marketing your hogs.

USDA | Mar 2021 | Online resource

Examples of swine and carcass grades (slides)

This presentation shows examples of slaughter swine and carcasses to go along with the official USDA descriptions from their websites on Slaughter Swine and Carcass Grades.

Shelby Filley | Mar 2021 | Presentation

USDA Slaughter swine grades and standards

The USDA official grades and standards for slaughter swine are useful for evaluating your own hogs.

USDA | Mar 2021 | Online resource

Meat Charts - Beef, Pork, Lamb, Goat

This website has charts with retail cuts of meat and the primal cuts from which they come.

Weber | Dec 2020 | Online resource