From sow barn managers to CEOs, they agree the threats facing the global pork industry have similar themes. Here’s a look at what nine pork industry leaders have to say about the top issues the pork industry needs to keep an eye on in the second half of 2022.
“If you had asked me two years ago, I would have said African swine fever (ASF). It’s still there and is an issue. But as I look broadly, it’s the energy, the cost of our diets and the ability to raise food. Also, consumer pressures are both an opportunity and a risk to our industry. Whether it be antibiotic-free production or how we produce animals, if we can adapt, it’s a great opportunity, but if we aren’t willing to adapt, that’s a big threat to our industry. Obviously, the global events have a big impact on all of those and where that goes with energy pricing. We talk a lot about labor, too. It’s certainly a huge issue for our company and probably more so for our industry in a broad sense. I wish I could just have one, but those are the big buckets I think about.” -Doug Webel, United Animal Health CEO
“One of the biggest global threats I see looming is trade barriers to trade with other countries, especially developing countries. In the rest of the world, we know that as people in countries continue to increase their GDP and per capita earnings, protein is one of first things they add. We need to continue to build access to other markets throughout our world as a way to continue to grow our industry within the U.S.” -Phil Hord, director of sow production/research and innovation at Hord Family Farms in Ohio
“Fuel cost. It’s getting really high everywhere and it affects transportation, exports, all of that in general. I think that’s a big threat.” - Alex Villalobos, The Maschhoffs senior production manager in Oklahoma
“ASF. The Russia-Ukraine War. Supply chain disruptions. Inflation. All of these things roll up to one primary concern. We are entering a time where there’s going to be increasing global food and protein restrictions. The availability of food is not going to be where it once was, particularly in developing countries. The good news is that the U.S. has got surge ag capacity, we’re able to produce a lot of pork, we’ve got good infrastructure, we can raise the hogs, process them and provide pork around the world. But you need the supply chain working both directions in order for that to happen.” - Bill Even, National Pork Board CEO
“Letting people hijack our messaging. As someone who works for Iowa Select Farms and has been targeted by a lot of animal rights activists, it’s easy to be on the defense. For us as pork producers, we have an incredible story to tell and we need to be on the offense. As we look to open new export markets and be part of the story that pork is not only sustainable, but an excellent source of protein while being delicious and nutritious. Being able to be on the offense and being great communicators and then empowering our people to tell that story is something we fight every day, but thankfully people are up for that challenge.” - Ali Kraber, director of public affairs at Iowa Select Farms in Iowa
“One of the biggest global threats facing the pork industry in the U.S. is the threat of African swine fever virus. Another threat is geopolitical dynamics. We talk about the war in Ukraine with Russia that’s impacting grain prices and supply across the globe which impacts input costs for raising meat, not just pork, but beef and chicken as well. Increased input costs, or inflation, results in increased costs of products for consumers. Right now, we enjoy the lowest cost of food in the U.S. compared to any other country, but that will continue to go up as these dynamics continue across the globe.”
- Jon Tangen, veterinarian with The Hanor Company in Enid, Oklahoma
“Aside from ASF, I think one of the biggest issues is the plethora of misinformation, especially on social media and the outspokenness of the people who are committed to misunderstanding agriculture. Our biggest tool as producers is to take those opportunities to do the interviews, do the podcasts, get on the radio, write opinion pieces, really be outspoken in the public voice for what we do and explain why we do what we do and be transparent about it.” -Heidi Flory, a Pennsylvania pork producer and advocate for modern agriculture
“ASF biosecurity. That’s going to be the biggest thing for a long time. We have hopes to keep it out, but that’s going to be a tough thing to do as we’ve seen over in the European countries where it’s spread like wildfire. We can do as much prep work as possible, but at the end of the day, it will shut things down at some point if it gets here. Protection at ports and anything we can do to support that is No. 1 right now.”
-Jarred Lorenz, general manager of H&H Farms in Southwest Michigan
“Disease is the biggest threat to the pig industry. Most people would say ASF with it being so close. However, I think a bigger threat that is already here is porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus that gets stronger all the time and wreaks havoc on the industry. I remember when PRRS was a very mild virus – back in the early 90s I remember when it was called blue ear pig’s disease, mystery disease, then SIRS, and now PRRS. Because of the way we raise pigs nowadays, I think this virus has turned into something very major and we don’t have an end in sight for it. Even though ASF would be a heck of a blow to the industry, PRRS virus worries me the most.” -Carl Brehe, JBS Live Pork in Missouri
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