Tyson Foods CEO Comments on Pig Virus Impact

May 05, 2014

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

The pig-killing virus known as Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) that has been spreading across U.S. hog farms since last spring, could cut pork production by about 4 per cent in 2014, Tyson Foods CEO Donnie Smith warns.

According to Smith, PED has forced Tyson to shift its production operations to deal with tighter hog supplies. Despite smaller pork supplies, Smith expects the pork segment of its business to “perform well,” in 2014.

Smith made these comments following the release of Tyson’s second-quarter profit earnings report. The company reported a profit of $213 million, or 60 cents a share, which is up from $95 million, or 26 cents a share, from a year ago.

Highlights:

• Pork sales – were up 13% to $1.49 billion
• Chicken sales – were up 4% to $2.84 billion
• Beef sales – were up 11% to $3.83 billion (beef volume was down, but higher prices lifted the segment)

Video: How Swine Nutrition Can Revolutionize Biogas Production - Dr. Felipe Hickmann

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Felipe Hickmann from Laval University explores how nutritional strategies and manure management impact biogas production in pig farming. He breaks down the science behind anaerobic digestion at low temperatures and explains how dietary adjustments affect methane production and environmental sustainability. Learn how producers can reduce emissions and improve resource efficiency. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Lowering crude protein can reduce nitrogen in manure, but only if animal intake doesn’t compensate by increasing feed consumption."

Meet the guest: Dr. Felipe Hickmann / felipe-hickmann-963853a6 is a PhD research assistant at Laval University, specializing in swine and poultry sustainability. With extensive experience in manure management, nutritional strategies, and precision livestock technologies, he contributes to improving environmental outcomes in animal agriculture.