From Joe Theismann to Real Pork: Producers Share Hot Topics at Pork Forum
Investments. Foreign animal disease. Elections. Joe Theismann. Real pork.
These people, topics and opportunities will be drawing in pork producers from around the country to the National Pork Industry Forum in Louisville, Ky., this week.
Former NFL Quarterback and broadcaster Joe Theismann kicked off the event on Wednesday night with his message of teamwork and unity as delegates come together and tackle important work to create opportunities for, and address obstacles facing, the pork industry.
Three pig farmers and industry leaders share the issues that are top of their mind heading into this important week in the pork industry.
Shorty Hofer, Montana pig farmer
Conrad, Montana
Q. What is the biggest concern facing the pork industry today?
A. I think the biggest concern is Proposition 12. Most of our pork goes to California. Our pigs go to Independent Meats in Twin Falls, Idaho, and their primary market is California. We were one of first states to join the National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation’s challenge to Prop 12. Feed is a big concern right now. In our neck of the woods, it’s hard to find feed and unless you raise it yourself, it’s nearly impossible to find. The Midwest has corn, but in our neck of the words, there’s not a lot there and freight and fuel to truck it in is getting out of hand. I bet we are paying nearly $1 more a mile to haul pigs than a year and a half ago.
Q. What topic are you most interested in learning more about at Pork Forum?
A. I’m looking forward to hearing an update on Proposition 12 – learning if there is hope and hearing about how we are fighting it.
Q. What resolution are you most passionate this week and why?
A. I hope these two organizations – they are both so great and do good work – can work everything out this week. They are so vitally important to what we do.
Ben Barcovtch, Pig farmer and member of the Nursery-Finish Service Team at Country View Family Farms
Pennsylvania Pork Producers President
Berwick, Pennsylvania
Q. What is the biggest concern facing the pork industry today?
A. African swine fever and keeping it out of the country. We see what is going on around the world as far as markets and disease management when ASF strikes. It’s critical to keep it out of the U.S. I also am concerned about the labor challenges in the pork industry. COVID-19 showed us a lot of different things we can do better when it comes to labor issues in packing plants and on the farm. We have to continue to work with USDA and other organizations to try to get labor challenges addressed.
Q. What topic are you most interested in at Pork Forum?
A. It’s so nice to be back in person to see people from other states and catch up with friends. As far as Forum itself, we are going to be voting on changing the Checkoff rate. That is a pretty important vote that’s going to be decided here in next couple of days that will alter the future of the industry.
Q. What resolution are you most passionate this week and why?
A. I’m most interested in the decision to change the Checkoff rate from 40 cents per hundredweight to 35 cents and also increase the NPPC SIP rate to 15 cents per hundredweight. I believe the delegates' decision on this topic will be important in funding future key priorities our industry faces.
Mark Meirick, pig farmer and grain elevator owner
Protivin, Iowa
Q. What is the biggest concern facing the pork industry today?
A. I think we are all struggling with government regulations and people dictating how we raise hogs. From Proposition 12 and Massachusetts Question 3 to proposed regulations coming out of Oregon, Colorado, Washington and more, these are challenging times. The way we raise hogs today is rooted in science from experts who tell us how to raise hogs successfully. Somehow we have to counteract those people and it won’t be easy. More regulations are coming down from the top all the time. We have to deal with them and deflect them. I don’t think it’s going to stop. It’s hard to predict the future but we have to keep organized and NPPC and National Pork Board will have to lead the charge to stave off the opposition.
Q. What topic are you most interested in at Pork Forum?
A. Voting on new directors. We would like to get the best and brightest engaged in these leadership roles. There are young, smart people here and we want more of those people involved in our industry. It’s fun to be part of Pork Forum. Besides voting for new candidates, it’s an opportunity to hear issues and listen to subject experts. When you are from northeast Iowa, you don’t run into these experts every day. I enjoy hearing their perspectives that I maybe hadn’t thought of before and can take their key points back home to share with other producers.
Q. What resolution are you most passionate this week and why?
A. The Pork Industry Visionary Task Force (PIVTF) is one of the resolutions being brought forward from the Iowa Pork Producers Association. It’s the combination of National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council leaders coming together and sharing responsibilities while streamlining the process of getting things done. Our goal is to make this process more efficient. They are two big organizations and sometimes there is overlap. In this case, overlap is a waste of funds. Both organizations play important roles and having them work together is key. Everyone sees the ability of those two groups to work together as very important.
