Newman Elected to Serve Second Term as President of National Pork Board
David Newman, a pork producer representing Arkansas, was elected to serve a second term as president of the National Pork Board at the organization’s recent November board meeting.
“Like everyone, U.S. pig farmers have faced significant challenges this year,” Newman said in a National Pork Board release. “Supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19 and the real threat of African swine fever have made this one of the most difficult years to be a pig farmer. But it has also shown us how resilient and agile our industry and the Pork Checkoff are in the face of adversity.”
Despite the numerous challenges the pork industry has faced, Newman is looking forward to the future.
“I am excited to be able to lead the Pork Checkoff for a second term as we implement key learnings from the past year, continue to build on retail sales growth for pork seen during the pandemic and show consumers the values of the pork industry from farm to fork through our Real Pork master brand,” said Newman, who owns and operates a farrow-to-finish Berkshire farm that markets pork directly to consumers and food service operators.
Rounding out the Pork Board’s executive officer team are Vice President Gene Noem from Ames, Iowa, and Treasurer Heather Hill from Greenfield, Ind. Both are serving their second of a three-year term on the board.
"2020 has definitely made us rethink the obstacles facing our industry," Hill said. "When we were at the Pork Forum in March, 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."
From Hill's perspective, the biggest issues on pork producers' minds in March were foreign animal diseases, technology and innovation, and consumer perceptions.
"These obstacles still exist and must continue to be a focus for our industry," she said. "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."
Other producers appointed by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and signed in this week to serve second terms include: Scott Phillips of Drexel, Mo.; Deb Balance of Fremont, N.C.; and Todd Erickson, Northwood, N.D. Al Wulfekuhle, from Quasqueton, Iowa, was appointed to serve his first term.
Wulfekuhle said he said yes to serving the pork industry because he believes he can make a difference.
“I've spent my life learning everything I can about the pig industry and surrounding myself with the best people. My desire is to use this knowledge to help guide National Pork Board members and staff to do what is best for U.S. pig farmers and the U.S. pork industry,” Wulfekuhle said.
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