World's Largest Pig Farm

The world's largest pig farm is being constructed in China and is projected to produce around 2.1 million hogs per year. With this come challenges and opportunities. We encourage you to explore the linked article and utilize the discussion points below to guide your conversations around the globe.

Chinese Hog Producer Builds World's Largest Pig Farm

Discussion Points

• What factors have contributed to producers in China building larger and larger pig farms?
• What in the article surprised you and why?
• Identify the opportunities and challenges that are being created by these larger and larger operations.
• How might this farm and trend impact hog producers in your local area as well as others around the world?

Pork and China's Growing Demand for Protein

China has a growing demand for protein. How will China meet this growing demand? The National Pork Board in the United States has provided some input on this challenge and further information is detailed in the link below. We encourage you to read the linked news release and utilize the discussion points below to guide conversations around the globe.

National Pork Board Study Defines China's Growing Need for Protein

Discussion Points

• Why is China's need for protein on the rise? 
• Why is there a great potential for the United States and China to look at trade in the pork sector at the current time?
• It would be nice if the United States could simply send pork to China as demand increases, but there are often other factors that influence this ease. What other factors may be challenging at the current time? How do those involved overcome these factors?
• The following quote is shared in the release by David Newman, "One of the ways to build value is to expand U.S. pork exports in developed and emerging markets." Where do you see potential for U.S. pork exports to expand and why?

African Swine Flu Takes Flight

Often times individuals become frustrated with long lines at customs as they fly into another country or return home. However, this weeks featured article shows the importance of the work these custom agents have. We are featuring an article that explains how African Swine Flu became mobile via a flight to Japan. We encourage you to read the linked article and utilize the discussion points provided to have conversations with others around the globe!

African Swine Fever Detected in Luggage at Airport

Discussion Points

• Why is African Swine Fever such a concern to producers around the world?
• Is there extreme concern with this sausage causing the spread of African Swine Fever? Explain.
• Put yourself in the position where you are in charge of customs at an airport. What would be your top priorities/practices to protect agriculture in your home country? Think about both animal and plants.

China Battling African Swine Fever

As the school year returns for many so does our weekly blogs challenging students and community members around the world to discuss global topics in agriculture. We kick things off with this article that shares the impact of African Swine Fever on hogs in China. We encourage you to read the linked article and utilize the discussion points below to guide conversations in your classrooms. 

Heavily Pork-Reliant China Battling African Swine Fever 

Discussion Points

• What impact is African Swine Fever having on pork production in China?
• Why is this outbreak of African Swine Fever such a concern in China? 
• Notice the picture that accompanies this article. what do you notice about production practices from the picture? What are the similarities/differences between production practices in China and your home country? 
• What are other countries doing to protect against the spread of African Swine Fever? 
• Imagine you work for your home country's department/ministry of agriculture. What practices/procedures would you put in place to protect the pork industry in your home country? Explain your reasoning. 

China Key for EU Pork Producers

Pork prices have been struggling in the European Union, but there is hope ahead. Linked below is an article that discusses the many factors that have lead to declining pork prices for the EU and why there is hope ahead. Read through the linked article and utilize the discussion points to spark conversations in your classrooms and communities around the world.

Struggling EU Pig Farmers Look to China for Hope

Discussion Points

• What has caused a decline in pork prices for the European Union?
• Why is the demand for pork imports into China increasing?
• What has the European Commission done to protect farmers in the EU? Does your home country have similar protection policies like this in place? Are these policies fair?
• Why is China likely to turn to the EU, before the US to acquire additional pork imports?
• This article tells a great story of international trade and world markets. Recently at a conference I attended the following was stated, "This isolation theory that is out there is scary for agriculture." What does this mean to you and how would isolation of a country affect it's agriculture and food supply?