Farmers in North Carolina preparing for Hurricane Matthew

Oct 07, 2016

Storm expected to hit this weekend

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

With Hurricane Matthew scheduled to hit North Carolina this weekend, hog farmers are being reminded to take proper precautions to protect themselves and their animals.

“Our farmers have faced several strong hurricanes in the past. They know what to expect and understand the importance of being prepared ahead of time,” said Deborah Johnson, CEO of the N.C. Pork Council, according to The Sampson Independent. “Farmers are putting emergency action plans into effect to protect their employees, their animals and farms.”

Farmers are being asked to:

Test on-farm generators to make sure they’re working properly and ensure there’s enough fuel to power them.
Stock feed bins and make other arrangements should deliveries be delayed.
Monitor animal waste management systems and apply fertilizer to dry cropland.

Johnson said at the end of the day, farmer safety is paramount.

“Our top priority is keeping our farmers and our animals safe,” Johnson said. “No one is quite sure what to expect from Hurricane Matthew, but everyone is working together and doing everything they can to prepare for the storm in advance. Once the storm passes, we’ll assess any damage that occurred and be ready to respond quickly.”

Hurricane Matthew's projected route
Photo: National Hurricane Center

All across North Carolina, farmers are trying to prepare for Hurricane Matthew, despite not knowing what the storm could bring.

On Monday, Governor Pat McCrory declared a state of emergency in 66 counties to help producers get as much work done before Matthew arrives.

Video: Sweetener Effects on Gut Health - Dr. Kwangwook Kim

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Kwangwook Kim, Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, discusses the use of non-nutritive sweeteners in nursery pig diets. He explains how sucralose and neotame influence feed intake, gut health, metabolism, and the frequency of diarrhea compared to antibiotics. The conversation highlights mechanisms beyond palatability, including hormone signaling and nutrient transport. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Receptors responsible for sweet taste are present not only in the mouth but also along the intestinal tract.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Kwangwook Kim / kwangwook-kim is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, specializing in swine nutrition and feed additives under disease challenge models. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from the University of California, Davis, where he focused on intestinal health and metabolic responses in pigs. His research evaluates alternatives to antibiotics, targeting gut health and performance in nursery pigs.