Herring Reflects on Whirlwind Year of NPPC Presidency

Serving as president of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is no easy task, not even during a so-called “quiet year.”  But no one would call this past year a quiet one, in fact, it was quite the opposite.

David Herring, a pork producer from Lillington, N.C., just wrapped up his term as president. He had the honor of visiting President Donald Trump not once, but six times to discuss matters related to the U.S. pork industry in the past year. 

“I think it would be exciting to meet any president, but to know this president had placed a lot of importance into agriculture and into swine production, it was a special year,” Herring says. “Agriculture has been at the tip of the trade retaliation spear, but I don’t remember any administration in the past or foresee any in the future that have been so involved in agriculture.”

Although every decision hasn’t gone the way he hoped, he says the administration has been very attentive and has worked to mitigate repercussions created by trade disputes. During the six times he visited the White House, Herring also learned the administration has an excellent working relationship with NPPC, relying on the organization for insight and background information about the U.S. pork industry.

Industry win of the year
Perhaps the most significant achievement during Herring’s tenure as president was helping get the U.S. tariffs on Mexico metals removed, prompting the removal of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. pork, he says. 

“Mexico and Canada are such an important part of our export market,” Herring says. “In addition, getting the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) agreement signed also brought certainty to a very important market. Almost 40% of our exports go to Mexico and Canada. USMCA was a huge win for all U.S. pork producers to help bring back certainty into the market.”

Of course, it has been a challenge to temper expectations throughout the industry this year because producers haven’t seen the prices they hoped for after China broke with African swine fever (ASF). 

“I think the opportunities are still tremendous – and there’s great opportunity going forward, it just hasn’t materialized yet,” Herring says.

He believes the biggest challenge for the industry going forward will be increasing security and awareness to keep ASF and other foreign animal diseases (FAD) out of this country. 

“Whether it’s ASF, foot-and-mouth disease or any FAD, that’s the one thing that keeps me up at night,” he says. “We can’t prepare enough to keep FADs out of the U.S. and North America. Working with state and government officials and our North American partners in Mexico and Canada is vital. We’re all in this together.”

Personal reflections
Herring points out that he’s grateful for his two brothers who have afforded him the opportunity to serve the pork industry as NPPC president. 

“I need to get back to being more involved in the business and help pick up the slack that they’ve been carrying for me for the last 12 months,” he says. “I look forward to getting back to Hog Slat and TDM Farms to help grow it and work with all our great employees to move it forward.”

Herring is a leader at work every day, and notes that serving in leadership for an association has taught him some new things. 

“I’ve always prided myself on being a good listener, but these last 12 months have only reinforced how important it is as I’ve learned so much from our board members and investors. There are so many varied interests and all of them are important. A pork producer can be producing 10 pigs, or a million pigs, and he is still a vital pork producer.”

He challenges everyone in the pork industry to step up and serve – whether at the state or national level.

“No one can tell the story as good as you can tell your story. We need producers to tell the good story they have to tell,” Herring says.

As AV Roth takes over the reins of NPPC this year, Herring offers one bit of advice: Stand on your values, listen and lead with confidence because leadership does matter. 


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