Opinion
A 25-year record of Gallup polling shows something rare: durable, lopsided public trust for agriculture – and policymakers must understand this.
Working for the National Pork Board was not about money or fame or checking a box for Patrick Fleming. It was about serving an industry he truly admired and cared about. It was personal.
Legendary Coach K once advised, “Be as tough as your mothers.” This message resonates deeply with those of us who grew up as farm kids, where our mothers proved to be the unsung heroes of our upbringing.
You might be surprised that one of the greatest desires people have before they die doesn’t involve money, fame or achievement. But it does require intentionality, sacrifice and hard work.
Some of the best conversations take place in the farm truck. Don’t underestimate the power of lessons learned behind the windshield.
Although the champion animals often make the reels and headlines, I would argue the most important things happening at shows are less talked about.
I’m on day 1,247 of the state fair or so it feels today. I’m not sure what day of the week it is or what’s happening in the next hour.
LP-1 drugs are catalyzing a dietary revolution that could usher in a new era for pork if the industry embraces change.
It is unlikely that my daughters will become Division I athletes or win a national swine show. However, my wife and I aim to raise winners both on and off the field and in and outside the ring.
It doesn’t matter how old we are. Mentors are valuable at all stages of life. All too often we fail to make the first move to ask because we let our doubts have more power than they deserve in our lives.
Oftentimes the best thing we can do is take the time to listen. People don’t need your advice; they need your attention.
The deal decreases U.K.’s ethanol tariff from 19% to 0%, creates an opportunity for cattle ranchers to export millions more and opens a $100 million market with free access for rice farmers, says Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture.
Increased activism has forced the U.S. pork industry to play defense. NPPC President Duane Stateler firmly believe the industry is on the right side of these issues, so he strives to meet them head-on.
As I thought about my career, it struck me how often I’ve felt (and looked) like the only one like myself in the room. Lori Stevermer reminded of why that is a very good thing.
What we do with where we’re placed is up to us. Don’t doubt the cumulative power of the little things. I’ve seen them add up to make a big difference in the world.
It’s easy to take small town life for granted. I admit there were times I thought small town life was boring. I was wrong — there’s nothing like it.
One thing my dad taught me at an early age was that if I didn’t keep myself busy, he would. When you live on a farm, there is always something to do. Here’s a look at that lesson in life through my lens now.
Scientists are ringing bells of warning about this virus, telling us to take action now. I hope we’re listening.
I learned a lot about thanksgiving, or the expression of gratitude, from my mother-in-law Jane as she battled cancer years ago.
Growing up in a village in the northern part of Namibia, subsistence farming combining both animal and plant-based practices was essential for survival. However, hog farming was uncommon, and several myths surrounded it.
The threat of a foreign animal disease outbreak demands vigilant preparedness, rapid response and a community-wide effort to mitigate damage. Interestingly, the legacy of Gord Downie, the lead singer of The Tragically Hip, offers lessons that can be applied to swine foreign animal disease preparation. Here’s why.
It’s often in the moments you least expect, that someone is watching and learning from what you’re doing. As a mom of three, I think about that a lot.
In 2023, Dustin Coleman faced a dilemma familiar to many producers right now in the swine industry. He found that while his animals were performing well enough, he wanted to learn how he could improve their condition while possibly saving money.
How often do you spend time thinking about the past? This question struck a nerve with me recently.
In the list of the hardest things you’ll do in life, sending your firstborn to college may be toward the top.
When you run into people every day, do you really “see” them? Lately I’ve been thinking about the people in my life who truly “see” me – who aren’t too busy or preoccupied to notice how I am really doing.