It’s Time to Stand Up For the Pork Industry, Hill Says

(National Pork Board and the Pork Checkoff)

No two days are ever the same – which can be good and bad, laughs Heather Hill, a pig farmer from Greenfield, Ind. Ultimately, she says the opportunity to work with her family raising pigs every day while continuing to improve upon what generations have done before them is an honor.

“I love being able to share this legacy with our children as we strive to produce safe and healthy food for our family and others,” Hill says. “That’s the best part of being a pig farmer.”

Hill is a co-owner of Hill Farms, a farrow-to-finish operation that markets 32,000 pigs annually. They also grow corn, soybeans and wheat. 

She’s proud to be back serving the National Pork Board as treasurer in 2020-21. She shares some of her views on the future and her role in serving the pork industry. 

Q. Why did you choose to say yes to serving on the National Pork Board?
A.
I am very proud to be raising the fifth generation of pig farmers on our family farm. It is very important to me that my three children have the ability to secure a future in agriculture, and specifically the pig industry, if they desire. My husband and I know that if we aren't willing to stand up for our industry, we can't expect anyone else to be willing to do it either and that could put our children's future in jeopardy. The pig industry is my passion and I believe my background and experiences allow me to provide a unique perspective to the board. I have been very humbled and honored to serve on the National Pork Board the last three years and want to continue to be able to give back to this amazing industry over the next three years. 

Q. What is the greatest opportunity ahead for producers in 2021?
A.
2020 has definitely been a year that none of us could have ever imagined and it brought many challenges for our industry; however, these challenges have created many opportunities. As producers, we must commit to taking an active role in our local, state and national organizations to ensure our industry is moving at the speed of business and addressing the issues and taking advantage of the opportunities as they occur. Continued collaboration and synergies will be critical in addition to being responsive and prepared. Additionally, we must help each other with a grassroots approach to ensure we are supporting each other. Our industry continues to serve various types and kinds of producers and it takes all kinds to make our industry strong. This strength will only help us continue to be successful regardless of the obstacles we face. In addition to the local, state, and national associations working together, we must be willing and take a leadership role to work with our fellow livestock and grain producers. Ultimately, we are all the face of agriculture and we must work together to ensure our future.  

Q. From your perspective, what is the biggest obstacle facing pork producers today?
A.
This year has made us rethink the obstacles facing our industry. When we were at the Pork Forum in early March of 2020, COVID-19 was just beginning to be talked about and little did we know how much it would change our lives and industry in the coming days, weeks and months. In March, the biggest issues from my perspective facing pork producers were the threat of foreign animal diseases, technology and innovation, and consumer perceptions. These obstacles still exist and must continue to be a focus for our industry. But we must also deal with a pandemic that has had a huge impact on our communities and our industry from market access to how our products are processed to how our products are used in the home, retail and food service.

Q. What leadership experiences have you had to prepare you for this role?
A.
I am the former president of the Indiana Pork Board and have been actively involved since 2009. I also serve on the National FFA career development sales committee and am a leader for our local 4-H club. I enjoy serving as an Operation Main Street speaker, too.

More from Farm Journal's PORK:

Sustainable Pig Farming Before It Was Cool

There's No Better Lifestyle Than Pig Farming, Ballance Says

Newman Elected to Serve Second Term as President of National Pork Board

 

Latest News

Shofner Uses Artificial Intelligence to Ensure Boar Semen Quality
Shofner Uses Artificial Intelligence to Ensure Boar Semen Quality

How can next-generation boar sperm analysis address the current shortcomings in sperm quality assessment? Iowa State University grad student Ian Shofner is exploring how artificial intelligence can help.

State Pork News: Don't Miss These Headlines
State Pork News: Don't Miss These Headlines

Here's a round-up of news from state pork producer organizations.

Hogs and Pigs Report: How Will Increase in Pigs Saved Per Litter Impact the Pork Outlook?
Hogs and Pigs Report: How Will Increase in Pigs Saved Per Litter Impact the Pork Outlook?

Of all the numbers in the latest USDA Hogs and Pigs Report, the number that caught economists’ eye was pigs saved per litter. Here's why Steve Meyer, Ever. Ag senior economists, says this is a number to watch.

Why You Need to Understand How USDA Purchase Programs Work
Why You Need to Understand How USDA Purchase Programs Work

With pork producers facing prolonged economic headwinds, recent USDA commodity purchases of pork offer relief at pivotal times. It’s important to understand how these programs work, says NPPC president Lori Stevermer.

Get the Facts Straight on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Get the Facts Straight on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Now that the mystery illness impacting some dairy herds has been revealed as the same strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza that has been impacting the U.S. poultry flock, pork producers are asking questions.

Merck Introduces Sequivity with Microsol Diluvac Forte Adjuvant Prescription Vaccine
Merck Introduces Sequivity with Microsol Diluvac Forte Adjuvant Prescription Vaccine

Merck Animal Health announced it has received license approval from the USDA for Sequivity with Microsol Diluvac Forte adjuvant prescription vaccine for use in gilts and sows.