The National Pork Board last week awarded former Iowa State University animal science professor at Tom Baas the Distinguished Service Award during the National Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City. The award is presented each year to recognize an industry leader’s lifelong contribution to the pork industry. “Tom has provided extraordinary leadership to the pork industry,” said National Pork Board … Read More
Meet the 2018 Pig Farmers of Tomorrow
America’s Pig Farmer Leon Sheets had the pleasure of introducing the new Pig Farmers of Tomorrow at the National Pork Forum this week, appropriately on National Pig Day, March 1. Adam Krause from South Dakota and Emma Lasco and Christine Snowden, both from Iowa, have been named for the honor, which recognizes farm leaders, ages 18-29, who intend to make … Read More
Pork Forum Panel Focuses on Gene Editing
The science of gene editing and its potential for the pork industry took center stage Wednesday at the opening session of the annual Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City. Journalist and author Michael Specter keynoted the session and moderated the panel on gene editing, which included University of Missouri animal scientist Kevin Wells, The Maschhoffs president Bradley Wolter, NPPC director … Read More
A Preview of 2018 National Pork Forum
The 2018 National Pork Forum will take place February 28 – March 2, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event serves as the annual business meeting for the National Pork Board and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). “The purpose of both organization’s delegate sessions is to really look at the key issues. Producers have the opportunity to discuss those … Read More
U.S. Pork Exports Set New Volume Records in 2017
In 2017, U.S. pork exports recorded the largest year ever in volume, with sales to more than 100 countries around the world. U.S. pork and pork variety meat exports totaled 5.399 billion pounds valued at $6.486 billion, up 6 percent and 9 percent respectively from 2016. “Exports continue to be an important piece of the puzzle for adding to producers’ … Read More
Pig Farmers Pay It Forward in #HamsAcrossAmerica
The National Pork Board, the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Smithfield Foods, Inc. and PrairieFresh® Premium Pork joined forces to support the second annual #HamsAcrossAmerica campaign in Central Iowa. The organizations hosted a kickoff event, on Giving Tuesday, to serve clients of the Central Iowa Shelter and Services and provided a nearly 70,000-pound pork donation to the Food Bank of Iowa, … Read More
Pork Checkoff’s Asian Trade Mission Offers Insight
Three National Pork Board officers and two members of the senior leadership team have returned from an Asian trade mission centered around elevating U.S. pork as the global protein of choice. The team representing the Pork Checkoff toured Japan and China from Sept. 5–16, visiting with pork processors, distributors and retailers, as well as importers and traders. “Pork is the … Read More
PORK Academy Seminars Return to World Pork Expo
The Pork Checkoff’s Producer Opportunity for Revenue and Knowledge (PORK) Academy sessions will once again be held during this year’s World Pork Expo. Seminars will run Wednesday, June 7, and Thursday, June 8, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, to help educate pig farmers on the latest trends in pork production. “The PORK Academy sessions offer more … Read More
Pork’s 6 Year Growth Is the Fastest in Foodservice
The National Pork Board has released a report on the fastest-growing protein…pork. According to Technomic, Inc.’s 2017 Volumetric Assessment of Pork in Foodservice, over the past six years, pork use has grown on a pound basis by more than double chicken, which is the next fastest growing protein. Pork use increased by 1.145 billion pounds, while chicken use grew by … Read More
NAHMS Survey to Measure Antibiotic Use, Stewardship
USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) will begin asking pig farmers who have at least 1,000 pigs and farm in any of the top 13 pork-producing states about their on-farm antimicrobial use and their related stewardship practices this spring. Those states include Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and South Dakota. The … Read More