A cutting-edge researcher. A practical problem-solver. A passionate teacher. There are many ways to describe Benny Mote, associate professor and swine Extension specialist at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. His most recent title? 2026 inductee to the Nebraska Pork Producers Association (NPPA) Hall of Fame.
Mote was honored for his dedication to advancing Nebraska’s pork industry through research, education, innovation and an unwavering commitment to producers. He strives to improve productivity, profitability and animal care through his work that has advanced swine genetics, sow longevity, precision livestock technologies, biosecurity and foreign animal disease preparedness.
In addition to his research, Mote has left a great mark in Nebraska through his work in Extension. He has helped lead Nebraska’s Pork Quality Assurance Plus program by training advisors, personally certifying producers and strengthening educational efforts that have reached thousands of pork producers across the state, NPPA shared.
He has also helped producers develop Secure Pork Supply plans, coordinated dozens of educational articles for NPPA’s Pork Talk magazine, served as a trusted speaker at industry meetings across the country, and partnered closely with the Nebraska Pork Producers Association as an ex-officio Board member since 2016 to deliver practical, research-based education.
“His commitment to youth development through programs like Nebraska 4-H Farrowed & Owned has inspired the next generation of pork producers and agricultural leaders,” NPPA wrote. “Those who know Dr. Mote recognize not only his expertise, but also his humility, collaborative spirit and producer-first mindset. He has built lasting relationships across the industry by listening first, working alongside producers and ensuring his research addresses real-world challenges.”
In 2022, Mote transparently shared his perspective with Farm Journal’s PORK about the Univeristy of Nebraska-Lincoln’s struggle with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in an effort to help other producers who are battling similar challenges.
“The U.S. swine industry has approximately 1 million pigs on the road every day. Every farmer wants their neighbor to practice good biosecurity and have high-health pigs to protect their own herd,” Mote wrote. “But when a farm breaks, what consideration do we have for our neighbors? Do we have our veterinarians call their veterinarian? Do we call the neighbor and let them know? Do we even know who our neighbors are to all our production sites that have swine farms that could be impacted? Do we route our trucks to avoid as many farms as possible?”
He urges the industry to consider the impact of disease to friends and neighbors and the industry as a whole.
“As a swine industry, we are in this together with the one health mantra regardless of our operation size or market,” he said. “Whether we are commercial, show pig or niche market, have one sow or a million, the herd health of our industry truly is all for one and one for all.”
