The atmosphere at the National Pork Industry Forum was a little lighter than it was in 2024. More than 500 people gathered in Orlando, Fla., for one of the pork industry’s most anticipated events. Bryan Humphreys, CEO of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), described the mood of the industry as cautiously optimistic.
“A number of things are happening politically, both domestically and internationally. Some of them directly impact the business of the pork industry and some of them do not,” Humphreys says. “That’s what NPPC exists for – to pay attention, to be engaged and to advocate and speak up on behalf of the American pork producer on those issues that are going to directly impact the industry.”
While there are certainly questions about what’s happening out there, Humphreys encourages producers to take solace in the fact that hardworking pork producers, staff members and allied industry leaders are coming together to improve the future of the pork industry this week.
Bill Even, CEO of the National Pork Board, says he hopes producers know that National Pork Board is focused on partnership with state pork associations and their producers.
“Our goal is that we would be better able to anticipate and adapt to the continuous change we face as an industry,” Even says. “We’re stronger for it when we identify opportunities and tackle challenges together.”
Your Voice Matters
For both Even and Humphreys, one of the most important takeaways of National Pork Industry Forum is that producers’ perspectives are valued and guide the direction of the organizations.
“Just like every trade association out there, NPPC works for the members and the investors of the organization,” Humphreys says. “We have a board of directors that are elected at this meeting. They are setting policy and direction for the organization on the things that they see as priorities that we need to be working on over the next year or next several years.”
The people who show up at this meeting drive the decisions for the U.S. pork industry, Even points out.
“We want people to know they can affect change when they show up and participate – decisions get made by the people that go to the meetings,” Even says.
One of the things he values most about the pork industry is the collaborative mindset amongst the National Pork Board’s and NPPC’s boards of directors.
“It’s never been more important or timely to foster and strengthen relationships and collaboration among state and national organizations in animal agriculture,” Even says. “At the end of the day, we are here to work on the issues that are top of mind for and impact producers.”
You Aren’t Alone
Even wants producers to remember that the pork industry is resilient.
“We have faced some really tough times financially, but the pork industry has survived by having resilient and steadfast producers who stick together in those times,” he says. “You are not alone.”
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