There's No Better Lifestyle Than Pig Farming, Ballance Says
Meet some of the directors on the National Pork Board in this series about some of the leaders recently elected or re-elected at the National Pork Board's November board meeting.
It’s not uncommon to find Deb Ballance standing by the meat case at her local grocery store striking up a conversation with a consumer about what influences their purchase of pork.
“I like knowing what they like about pork,” Ballance says. “I like knowing I’m part of contributing to their eating pleasure.”
Ballance says there is no better lifestyle than being a hog farmer. She enjoys spending her days with her children and grandchildren on their family farrow-to-finish hog operation near Fremont, N.C., where they also raise cattle and grow corn, soybeans and hay.
That passion for pig farming is just one of the reasons why she returned to serve as a second three-year term on the National Pork Board. She shares her perspective 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. Serving on Pork Checkoff national committees was very rewarding, and I thought serving on the national board would be also. I can say after serving my first term, it is rewarding to interact with fellow producers, allied industries and National Pork Board staff to help shape the future of the pork industry and represent all producers.
Q. What is the greatest opportunity ahead for producers in 2021?
A. One of the greatest opportunities for the industry in 2021 is growing demand in our domestic market as well as international markets. I think the pandemic has given us consumers who are more aware of where their food comes from and what pork has to offer them. We can capitalize on this by promoting our "Real Pork" master brand, providing more nutrition information about pork, letting consumers see who produces their pork for them and how much we care about feeding them, and showing our sustainability commitments.
Q. From your perspective, what is the biggest obstacle facing pork producers today?
A. The biggest obstacle facing producers is the threat of African swine fever (ASF). While COVID-19 is not ASF, it has shown us how quickly markets and packer access can change. We need to be as prepared as possible for ASF and the continuity of production.
Q. What leadership experiences have you had to prepare you for this role?
A. I am the past chair of the Pork Checkoff’s pork safety, quality and human nutrition committee. I am serving as a member of the North Carolina Pork Council executive committee and the North Carolina Farm Bureau (Wayne County) Board of Directors.
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