National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Scott Hays shared some good advice he heard recently with the attendees of the National Pork Industry Forum during his remarks on March 6.
“By staying focused on the final goal, we will stay united in moving forward,” he shared.
Hays, a pork producer from Missouri, focused in on four key themes as he reflected on the past year of his leadership in NPPC.
1. Commitment
Reflecting on his service on the National Pork Producers Council board of directors, Hays highlighted the tremendous amount of change NPPC has gone through.
“No change was greater than moving from a defensive posture to stepping out and making offensive plays to be proactive for your farm,” Hays said. “Thank you for your additional commitment to NPPC with the rate change this year. Without that support, this change would not have been possible.
He pointed out the strides made to rebuild U.S. pork’s relationship with Canadian and Mexican pork producers.
“This started with our need to talk about foreign animal disease preparedness and prevention, but it has moved into many more topics of discussion and areas where we are working together,” Hays said. “This relationship has kept pork flowing through these channels this year when a trade disruption would have been devastating.”
2. Investment
Investment is important, whether you’re talking about NPPC’s investment or your investment in your own farm. NPPC has continued to work diligently to stop a patchwork of production standards across this country by protecting producers’ freedom to care for pigs the way that is best on their farm, Hays explained.
“An important part of what we do at NPPC is work with legislators and regulators in DC; and this year was no exception. Your producer-leaders had an unprecedented year testifying three times at different committee hearings on the Hill this year,” he said.
In addition, NPPC leaders invested time working on export opportunities in India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and parts of Africa. They secured Section 32 pork purchases from USDA in May and again in December. They also maintained funding for the Beagle Brigade to protect U.S. ports of entry and kept lines in packing plants running at speeds that could handle the U.S. inventory of pigs.
“The issue that required more producer volunteer hours than any other issue was the development of our traceability program that you’ve heard so much about this year,” Hays said. “This is very important to our industry.”
3. Momentum
Momentum continues on many key issues such as domestic disease reduction and market access for producers. Both of these have become priorities for your national organization and initial groundwork has been laid to make improvements, he noted.
“None of our wins would have happened without our staff of subject area experts and our team that work throughout the industry to keep us connected domestically, internationally and within our industry,” Hays said. “They have also developed the resources needed to get the work done, and they have effectively communicated the message where needed.”
4. United
In 2023, Hays admits he was convinced more than ever that the pork industry is stronger together. Through coalitions like the “barnyard in DC,” supply chain partners in CA and MA, and trading partners around the world, he says the industry has accomplished more together than any could on its own.
“Our adversaries are coming at us on two fronts,” Hays said.
He said U.S. pork adversaries want to raise the cost of pork production, resulting in the U.S. being less competitive on the world market and domestic consumption dropping. They also want to divide the pork industry.
“NPPC will continue to protect producer’s freedom to operate which will allow us to maintain our low-cost production on the world stage,” Hays said. “Stay united. The only way our adversaries win on the second front and divide us is if we choose to let them.”
In conclusion, Hays reminded producers to stand together, stay involved in their state and national associations and encourage others to join them.
