Fall Classic Ear Tag Requirement Information

The following information has been provided to the National Swine Registry from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture. This information is designed to assist exhibitors with questions regarding ear tag requirements for the 2013 NSR Fall Classic. Remember, all swine entering the Stephens County Fairgrounds (including parking lot animals) must be tagged with an official, federally recognized ear tag.

Ear tags for swine entering the Stephens County Fairgrounds should have a nationally unique number and a US Shield emblem. These are unlawful to remove after application.

Option 1) Metal “brite” tag. These are also referred to as “NUES tags” or “Pass Tags”. They come in two different sizes (pictured is the larger version). Most all large animal veterinarians will have these. State Departments of Agriculture should also be capable of sending these directly to their producers. ODAFF can only send these to OK producers.



Option 2) “RFID”, “EID”, “AIN”, or“840 tags”. Available by sale from the major tag manufactures with a Premises Identification Number (PIN). ODAFF may supply directly to OK producers.
 

Al Christian update

Al Christian update 10/17/13

Everyone:

Al has been released from hospital and is recuperating now at home... his home address is 1002 Arizona Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50014 - 3611, if you want send a card or note...

His cell number is 515.460.4352 or his home phone is 515.292.2257...

America's Best Genetics feature in International Pig Topics

America's Best Genetics (ABG), a division of the National Swine Registry (NSR), was featured in International Pig Topics magazine's "Breeder Review."



The write-up highlighted both ABG and NSR's commitment to being the source for pure genetic progress. Through the ABG program, purebred breeders combine their experience from years of raising breeding stock with modern technical advances to continue to make genetic progress in the Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace and Yorkshire breeds that can improve commercial producers' bottom lines. 

In order to best serve the commercial swine industry, ABG members continue to emphasize the production of seedstock with documented quality and predictability with programs like the Swine Testing and Genetic Evaluation System (STAGES™). 

Developed by the NSR to facilitate genetic improvement, STAGES™ calculates the most economically significant traits and predicts the genetic value of each pig. Through accurate data collection and reporting, a database of nearly two million performance records has been compiled for numerous economically relevant traits, and with state-of-the-art technology, EPDs and indexes are updated each evening. These predictions of genetic merit, coupled with a DNA-verified pedigree structure, help purebred operations find ways to make hogs better and more profitable, and help ABG members market their genetics to more than 40 countries.

To learn more about ABG pick up the latest International Pig Topics magazine (Vol. 28, No. 6) and flip to page 19, or contact Doug Newcom, Vice President of Global Technical Service, at doug@nationalswine.com

Al Christian contact info

Everyone:

Here is an update on Al Christian... Al suffered a hemorrhagic stroke in the cerebellum following the National Barrow Show... Last week he was moved to Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa, from Mercy Hospital, for rehab. I visited Al Saturday morning and he is making progress. I know he would appreciate hearing from you all. Here is the address to send cards and letters,  Mary Greeley Medical Center, Al Christian, Room 315 Rehab, 1111 Duff Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50010

Please keep Al and his family in your thoughts and prayers!

NSR promotes purebred genetics abroad with a trade trip to Vietnam



NSR Vice President of Global Technical Service Dr. Doug Newcom spent a week in Vietnam promoting purebred swine genetics during an agricultural trade mission held in conjunction with the US Grains Council’s 5th Vietnam Swine Symposiums. 

 

The symposiums, held in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, were two-day seminars designed to provide technical information about genetics, health, management and feed mill operations to Vietnam swine producers and allied-industry partners, feed and nutrition companies. 


More than 200 attendees participated in the events that highlighted American production practices. Newcom presented on breed selection and on-farm evaluation and herd monitoring and recording. In addition to Newcom, other presenters included Dr. Bob Thaler, of South Dakota State University; Dr. Barry Kerkaert, of the Pipestone Veterinary Clinic;  and Dr. Rommel Salobu, of the University of Philippines at Los Banos. 


The group also visited swine farms in Vietnam. Kerkaert and Newcom toured the Vinh Tan firm, a 3,500-sow commercial producer with 20,000 finishing spaces. The group expressed interest in a 1,200-sow GGP/GP herd and feed mill.  Thaler and Salobu visited Viet Chau, a 300-sow farm and grains importer, and Mr. Pham Van Bo who operates a 300-sow farm.


Newcom joined a discussion with Max Waldo, owner of Waldo Farms, Inc., regarding a possible joint-venture operation in Vietnam, which would continue to increase the influence of NSR’s purebred genetics abroad. 

Finally, the group met with the new USDA Counselor for Agricultural Affairs from the US Embassy in Hanoi.