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Don’t go ‘bacon’ my heart – celebrate your love of pigs and pork!

Don’t go ‘bacon’ my heart – celebrate your love of pigs and pork!

It may be the year of the dog but Thursday marks National Pig Day

By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Farms.com

March 1 is National Pig Day, which recognizes the domestic pig. Take the day to celebrate the porcine species and the farmers who help produce them.

From garages and home kitchens to football fields and hospital rooms, pork products play a role in our daily lives.

Many of us love to indulge in such meats as bacon, ham and spare ribs.

But manufacturers also use pork byproducts to produce such items as violin strings, linoleum, insulin and antifreeze.

Indeed, hog production is a huge market on the world stage.

The top five pork-producing countries in 2017 were China, the European Union, the United States, Brazil and Russia, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service. Canada wasn’t too far behind, sitting in the seventh spot on the list.

In Canada, the pork sector accounts for 30 per cent of total livestock shipments and 10 per cent of all cash farm receipts, says Canada Pork International. Last year, Canadian hog farms raised over 13.5 million pigs, according to Statistics Canada.

In America, the top producing states are Iowa, North Carolina and Minnesota, together accounting for 55 per cent of the total value of U.S. hog sales, according to the 2012 USDA Census of Agriculture. Last year, the U.S. produced over 70.9 million pigs, according to Statista.

In 1972, sisters Ellen Stanley and Mary Lynne Rave created National Pig Day in order “to accord the pig its rightful, though generally unrecognized, place as one of man’s most intellectual and domesticated animals,” says Rave on the National Day Calendar website.

You can join the celebration by attending special day events, enjoying some pork products or spending time in the barn. When posting your activities on social media, use the hashtag #NationalPigDay.  


Trending Video

Building Better Barns: Innovations in Hog Facility Design with PSI’s Tim Messinger

Video: Building Better Barns: Innovations in Hog Facility Design with PSI’s Tim Messinger

In this exclusive interview from the 2025 Iowa Pork Congress Rachel Fishback and Swineweb sit down with Tim Messinger, a seasoned expert from Precision Structures Inc. (PSI) of Wellman, Iowa, to delve into the latest trends and innovations in hog barn construction and remodeling.

With nearly two decades at PSI, Tim shares his journey from draftsman to sales, highlighting the company’s comprehensive services in building farrow-to-wean complexes, finishers, and nurseries. He emphasizes the critical role of proper site layout and grading in barn construction, ensuring long-term efficiency and scalability for pork producers.

Tim also discusses the increasing importance of advanced ventilation systems and smart controllers like Maximus and AP Edge, which offer producers enhanced monitoring and control over barn environments. As construction costs have risen, PSI has seen an uptick in remodeling projects, particularly in slat replacements, roof refurbishments and barn gating remodels to extend the lifespan of existing facilities.

A key takeaway from Tim is the value of partnering with reputable builders who offer robust post-sale support. PSI’s dedicated service team stands ready to assist clients 24/7, addressing emergencies and ensuring optimal barn performance.

For pork producers looking to build or upgrade their facilities, this conversation offers valuable insights into best practices and the latest industry developments.