Cooper s office sought to award grants to projects that will benefit eastern North Carolina, home to most of the state s large hog farms. Projects were selected to receive grants in keeping with the agreement s goals to enhance North Carolina s environment, particularly the state s river basins. The grant will also help continue educational and scientific programs for North Carolina farmers on the compatibility of water quality and wildlife habitat with farming. Using previous grants, the...

GMAC Financial Services said on Wednesday it would cut about 3,000 jobs; EBay inc. reported a third-quarter net loss, but beats expectations News. GMAC Financial Services said on Wednesday it would cut about 3,000 jobs; EBay inc. reported a third-quarter net loss, but beats expectations News. The company said the largest job cuts would happen in business units most affected by the drop-off in mortgage originations. Smithfield Foods inc. filed a civil racketeering lawsuit against the United...

swine producers about $560 million annually and was identified as the virus responsible for disease outbreaks reported this year in China and Vietnam. It may take weeks or months for them to recover from the virus, which evolves and adapts quickly to environmental challenges like vaccines and medications, the A. These findings support existing research that indicates animal breeds with high growth rates devote less energy to immune and disease traits. However, I pigs generally recovered...

Both sides have waged an often public and bitter campaign during the union's effort to organize the world's largest hog processing plant, where about 4,650 employees process up to 32,000 hogs a day. The talks broke down over Smithfield's complaint that the union wanted the right to lobby workers but refused to allow the company to do the same. In rejecting the demand, the union cited Smithfield's history of harassing union supporters during organizing elections held in 1993 and 1997. Gene...

After several farming friends ventured into a hog finishing arrangement with a large company in 1997, Koschmeder got more serious about looking into a similar setup. He realized in 1996 that he would have to eventually somehow diversify his farm operation or obtain an "off the farm " job to keep his cash flow in proper perspective. In 1998 Koschmeder signed a contract to erect three confinement buildings and manure reception pit on his property located 3 1/2 miles north and 3/4 of a mile...

Organizers say the event is aimed at highlighting efforts by the poultry industry to curb nutrient runoff, alternate uses for poultry litter, and legal, legislative, and regulatory methods for reducing the amount of nutrients escaping from poultry litter into bay tributaries. The Waterkeeper Alliance, the sponsor of the event, points to agricultural runoff, most of which comes from poultry litter from Eastern Shore operations, as the primary source of pollution in the bay. Organizers say...