Source: North Carolina Pork Council
As flood waters continue to rise across North Carolina, hog farmers in the affected areas are diligently working to provide feed and care for animals, while ensuring treatment lagoons are holding steady.

According to the latest update from the North Carolina Pork Council, on-farm assessments and industry aerial surveys conducted have determined that flood waters have reached portions of farms in at least three locations. Animals have been moved in advance of the storm or are continuing to receive attention from farmers. In many locations, trucks have been able to continue to move animals in response to the flooding.

“Given that record-shattering flooding is forecast to persist for days, we expect additionally affected farms. We do not anticipate severe impacts to the vast majority of the more than 2,100 permitted farms in the state,” the NCPC said in a statement Sunday. “There are no reported breaches of treatment lagoons and no reported instances of lagoon contents spilling out, known as overtopping.”

The NCPC is continuing to urge caution regarding mainstream media reporting on the situation. For example, on Sunday the Associated Press published and distributed nationally a photograph that labeled two garages as a hog farm. 

“In previous years, we have seen photos of municipal waste plants, poultry houses and other agricultural facilities inaccurately labeled as pig farms. We have seen barns that have been empty for multiple years characterized as active hog farms,” NCPC says. “We urge caution, especially in a breaking news environment where initial information is often inaccurate.”