Outstanding pork producers have one thing in common: they cultivate customer trust every step of the way. The Pork Checkoff’s new America’s Pig Farmer of the Year award program will honor the U.S. pork producer who best excels at raising pigs using the We Care ethical principles and wants to share this with consumers. “The public is the main audience, … Read More
Pork Producers Optimistic About State of the Industry
Since 2002, the National Pork Board has conducted an annual survey of pork producers to gain insight to the condition of the industry, general attitudes of pig farming and their support of the Checkoff. The most recent survey was conducted in November 2014 and shows great optimism. For the fifth consecutive year, pork producer support for the Checkoff has increased … Read More
Pork Producers: Port Dispute Threatens Ag Exports
A work slowdown by some West Coast dock workers is threatening the U.S. pork export market. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) joined 92 other food, agricultural and allied industry groups in urging the parties involved to resolve the issues, and NPPC even called on the federal government to consider all remedies to bring the dispute to a swift end. … Read More
Livestock and Poultry Groups Urge TPA Approval
As trade negotiators meet again this week, livestock and poultry producers both are urging Congress to approve Trade Promotion Authority for the president to move forward with major trade agreements. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president Bob McCan of Texas says TPA is important for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. “The governments of many of our competitors are actively engaged in … Read More
Make Plans to Attend Missouri Pork Expo
The 2015 Missouri Pork Expo is set for Feb. 10-11 at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia. Tim Safranski, University of Missouri Extension state swine specialist, says this year’s expo offers programs for everyone in the hog industry. “There is an event called ‘In the Show Ring’ aimed largely at the youth show-pig folks,” Safranski says. “Individual Pork Quality … Read More
AFIA Pork Program Plays Up Pig Presence at IPPE
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) will host a half-day Pork Tech Theater seminar at the International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta, Ga., on Jan. 28. The seminar will highlight challenges in the pork industry such as porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, and discuss recent advancements and issues affecting worldwide pork production. “Two of the topics that have been receiving … Read More
Pork Board Names Chris Hodges as CEO
Chris Hodges, a pork industry leader with substantial senior management experience in agriculture, will join the National Pork Board as its new chief executive officer on Feb. 16. Currently based in Kansas City, Hodges is senior vice president – business development of Smithfield Farmland. “When I first joined what was then Farmland Industries as a grain division manager, I joined … Read More
Pork Board's Strategic Plan – People, Pigs & Planet
During the 2014 National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Trade Talk intern, Taylor Truckey, sat down with fellow Michiganite, Dale Norton. Dale is President of the National Pork Board and after they found out they are from neighboring hometowns, they chatted about their new initiative, People, Pigs & Planet that they are using to bridge the gap between producer and consumer. … Read More
Pork Board Provides Update on PEDv
During the 2014 National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual meeting, Taylor spoke with Dr. Lisa Becton, Director of Swine Health, Information & Research for the National Pork Board, about PEDv and it’s impact on the U.S. swine industry. They also discuss the research currently being conducting to combat this epidemic. “It’s been a very challenging few months. PEDv was first … Read More
Introducing the New USFRA Faces: Thomas Titus
If you get a chance to talk to one of the newest representatives in the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance’s (USFRA) Faces of Farming and Ranching program, you’ll certainly be taken by more than just Thomas Titus’ impressive height (6’8″!). You’ll hear just how enthusiastic he is to talk about the world of agriculture. “Talking about agriculture was something instilled … Read More