Lucky. That’s how Dean Frazer, newly elected president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, feels about the career he’s led in the pork industry. In 1987, he graduated from Iowa State University and set out on his own to raise hogs in Conrad, Iowa.
Located in the center of the state in Grundy County, Frazer says it’s been a good place to raise hogs as it’s semi-isolated for the state. He ran a farrow-to-finish operation until recently with ownership. Then, they sold out of that, bought into a Pipestone unit and own 1,000 sows equivalent.
“We get 2,400 head of wean pigs in every three to four weeks and finish about 38,000 pigs a year,” Frazer says. “I’m lucky that I have my 28-year-old son, Grant, and his wife, Josie, both back on the farm full time with us every day. Along with my wife, Linda, a retired dietitian, we all work together with three employees running wean-to-finish barns.”
They also raise corn, soybeans and grow seed corn for Pioneer, he adds. Their older son, Chad, is a CPA in Des Moines.
“It’s been a been a good run, and it’s a lot of fun to farm with family,” Frazer says.
One of the first things Frazer did when he started his operation was join the Grundy County Pork Producers. He was active in the organization for several years.
“Then, life got busy when we had kids and I wasn’t very involved with Pork Producers for several years,” he says. “I got asked to be on the Iowa Pork Producers Association board four years ago. When I got to the first board meeting, I told Pat McGonegle: ‘I’m here, but I’m never moving up any higher than just being a board member.’ Then Pat chuckled, and here we are four years later.”
From Prop 12 and exports to domestic consumption and water quality, the issues are many for Iowa pork producers to consider right now. Frazer is excited to give back to the pork industry in this role as president and is grateful for the leadership of former president Aaron Juergens from Carroll, Iowa.
Farm Journal’s PORK met up with Frazer during the Iowa Pork Congress to find out more about IPPA’s new leader. From what you can expect from Frazer as president to how he is focusing his goals in the year ahead, he shares his thoughts on a variety of topics.
Q. Why did you decide to step up to this challenge?
I wouldn’t have stepped up to this if I didn’t have a son and daughter-in-law home managing the farm. As an independent pork producer, I have a lot of passion for the pork industry and want it to succeed. Also, my mom and my dad were very involved with civic responsibilities. My mom was on a state Farm Bureau board 40 years ago and my dad helped start the Grundy County Pork Producers in the 1960s. I grew up with the mindset that you need to give back to your community and your state.
Q. What is it like to serve on the IPPA board?
They are a great group of people to work with. When I come home from meetings, I feel very good about what we accomplished. We may talk about hard issues, but we’re surrounded by a lot of smart and positive people.
Q. What kind of leader are people getting?
I’m a quiet leader. For me, to say ‘yes’ to this was a big deal. At first, I was scared to death. But I can see myself progressing and am more comfortable now. I’ve learned if you have passion, and people know that you have passion, they’re not going to notice if you’re not Mr. Smooth Public Speaker.
Q. What’s one thing people may not know about you?
I’ve always loved to read, especially mystery novels. I deal with a lot of stress every day. At night, when I’m getting ready for bed and want to relax, I’m going to read something mindless. I’m a huge Iowa State fan. I told my two boys that we would pay for their college education to any college in the U.S., except the University of Iowa.
Q. There have been a lot of pork victories lately. What stands out as the biggest one in your mind?
I’m very proud that we’ve kept our pork exports near steady in 2025 and going into 2026, especially with all the disruptions and tariff battles we’re involved in. I’m thankful for our association and the work they do to keep exports going.
Q. What are you most excited about now?
I’m really excited about the new campaign “Taste What Pork Can Do.” We want to increase domestic consumption. Now is a great time to do it with high beef prices. It’s not the same pork industry it was 20 years ago.
Q. If you could only accomplish one thing this year, what would it be and why?
I would like to get rid of the Prop 12-type legislation and keep it from going to all 50 states. We want one set of rules, and that is still a priority for us. We know that road is very hard with the environment we live in right now, but it’s still a big deal to us. Everybody has the right to choose, and you will still be able to buy whatever pork you want, but it should not be mandated on us.
Q. This is not an easy job for a busy person. How will you fit it all in?
I’m completely confident in what my family is doing back home. Also, we know in today’s society that there’s more Zoom calls, and I am only an hour and a half from the Iowa Pork Producers Association office, so helps to be centrally located. I also am fortunate to be able to take my wife with me on many trips. That helps because I’ll have a babysitter to make sure I have my tie on straight to every meeting I go to.
Q. What do you like to do for fun?
In addition to reading, I like to golf once a week in the summer. We have season tickets to Iowa State basketball games, too. I actually like to work. I’m 61 years old, and my kids say I can retire when I’m 75. My wife wants it to be a little sooner than that, but I enjoy what I’m doing.
