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PED Virus Prompts Mexico to Ban U.S. Hogs

PED Virus Prompts Mexico to Ban U.S. Hogs

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

Mexico announced earlier this week that it is banning live pigs from the United States following an outbreak of the porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus that has been affecting a number of U.S. hog farmers.

The ban is only for live pigs and does not include U.S. pork products. In 2012, the U.S. exported about 55,000 head of live pigs to Mexico. Exports are important for U.S. producers who sell breeding stock and swine genetics to Mexico, but the ban doesn’t have a real impact on U.S. market hogs sales.

Mexican officials are working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to measure the PED virus. The PED virus is not a mandatory reportable disease under the World Organization for Animal Health.

Mexico has requested the following:

• Requested a list from the USDA on its mitigation strategies;
• Asked for enhanced monitoring of U.S. hog farmers with high pig mortality;
• Pigs imported prior to May 17 be quarantined;
• Inspecting locations where U.S. pigs were brought into Mexico during the last three months

To date, Mexico hasn’t reported any PED cases.
 


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Women in Ag. The Promotion of Female Farmers through Social Media | Madalyn Thayer | TEDxBGSU

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Less than 1% of Americans are farmers. The majority of those farmers are men. Many people have minimal experience with farms and agriculture. High schools are getting rid of their FFA programs and many colleges, including BGSU, do not have agricultural programs or classes. There is a new social media phenomenon where women are making content based on their farming endeavors and gaining lots of traction. Education is the one of the most important parts of agriculture, because the more people know the more they will emphasize with farmers and create policy that benefits everybody. Female farmers have taken to social media sharing their experience in the agricultural world. These women are breaking stereotypes and educating everyday citizens about farming which is extremely important for the future of agriculture. Madalyn is 19 years old and will be gradated with her bachelors degree in communication on December 2024. She lives on a farm and have spent lots of time working in agriculture. She has her own farmers market and love learning about all subjects, especially agriculture. She was on the BGSU Firelands Student government from 2021-2023 as a CCP Ambassador and was awarded the 3&1 communication excellency award in April of 2024. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.