Bacon makes everything better.
“If you want to get some positive attention at the state capitol, bring bacon!” says Jill Brokaw, an Illinois pork producer. She’s an Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) board member and represented Illinois pig farmers on May 3 to celebrate the commemoration of Senate Joint Resolution 22, sponsored by Senator Tom Bennett (R-53), which designated May 3 as “Illinois Bacon Day.”
IPPA used “Illinois Bacon Day” to highlight how dedicated Illinois pig farmers are producing the highest quality protein available and to talk about how the pork industry supports over 57,000 jobs, contributing an estimated $13.8 billion dollars to the economy.
Pig Farmers Bring Attention to Critical Issues
There’s no question Illinois Bacon Day was a day for celebration. However, Illinois pig farmers wanted the day to also bring attention to the important hurdles that pork producers are facing now.
“There are so few of us these days that we need to make sure they know we are out here and that we are proud of what we do,” says Chad Leman, IPPA president. “We work hard to put sausage, bacon and pork chops on people’s plate and it’s easy to take for granted when it’s so readily available and very affordable at a grocery store. It can be easy to forget how many people are engaged with getting it there.”
Brokaw agreed that it’s important to bridge the gap between farming at home and engaging with lawmakers of our state.
“Bacon Day gave us the opportunity to show legislators how proud we are to provide them with a healthy, sustainable and delicious product. It also gave us an opportunity to connect with them regarding the current state of high input costs and current low market value,” Brokaw says.
What Challenges Do Pig Farmers Face?
Currently, input prices for corn and soy are high and the return that pig farmers are receiving for producing safe and nutritious protein is low.
“There is a huge disparity between what retailers are making from the sales of pork products compared to what our producers are making. While cattle farmers are earning 45% of the retail dollars for beef, pig farmers are receiving only 20% of the retail dollars from pork. At some point, the high input costs combined with the massive difference in prices could cause pork producers to go out of business,” IPPA said in a release.
Leman points out that producers are challenged daily with market fluctuation in the prices of pork (due to supply and demand, international trade and consumer preferences), environmental concerns, high feed costs, and preparedness for disease outbreaks.
“I hope we were able to show that even in the face of adversity and challenges, pig farmers are still stepping up to the plate every day. Nothing has changed in our efforts to provide a good product in a sustainable and healthy manner while continuing to play a big role in our state’s economy,” Brokaw explains.
Labor Shortage Threatens Pork Outlook
Last month, Leman attended the National Pork Producers Council’s (NPPC) Spring Legislative Action Conference (LAC) on March 29-30 in Washington, D.C. The biannual fly-in allows U.S. pork producers to meet with their Members of Congress to discuss the industry’s policy priorities and how decisions affect their farms and families.
Leman says he talked to anyone and everyone who would listen about the challenges pig farmers are facing in filling the labor shortage on farms.
“IPPA is laser-focused on addressing labor shortages on hog farms and producer profitability,” Leman says. “That is why we seized this opportunity during Bacon Day to educate lawmakers about our industry and discuss the issues currently facing pig farmers. Our hog farmers have been faced with negative margins now for six consecutive months. These lack of profitability issues will eventually come full circle and negatively affect our state’s economy.”
How Can You Help?
Consumers are challenged to #BringHomeTheBacon and keep the demand for pork products high by adding bacon (or any pork product) to their grocery cart every time they shop, Brokaw says.
“Pig farmers are some of the most resilient, determined and hardworking folks I know. We will continue to work hard and overcome adversity,” Brokaw says. “I also hope legislators walked away looking to put more pork on their fork today because every slice of bacon helps in those efforts.”
Read More:
Here’s Why Bacon Day Has Deep Meaning for Illinois Pork Producers
