Meet the 2023 Hog Farmer Appreciation Celebration Chefs

Oct 02, 2023

Niman Ranch’s 25th Hog Farmer Appreciation Celebration took place in Des Moines, Iowa August 25-27, 2023. This annual celebration brings together the Niman Ranch community—chefs, distributors, partners and friends— to recount stories, learn and share incredible meals, all featuring Niman Ranch’s award-winning pork prepared by some of the country’s most celebrated chefs.

It’s no small task to prepare a multi-course meal for 600 guests. So why do chefs join us each year in Iowa to cook at this event?

Chef Andrew Hunter, Niman Ranch’s executive chef and the lead organizer of the 600-person gala dinner, explains that chefs are always eager to participate in this event because they love the Niman Ranch product, respect how Niman Ranch operates with integrity and credibility and, most important, appreciate the farmers. The dinner gives chefs a chance to cook for and thank the farmers directly.

Click here to see more...

Video: How Data Predicts Swine Outbreaks - Swaminathan Jayaraman

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Swaminathan Jayaraman, Research Assistant and PhD Candidate at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, explains how integrated data systems can improve disease surveillance in swine production. He discusses combining diagnostics, animal movement data, production records, and spatial analytics to identify risks earlier and support proactive decision-making for PRRS, PED, and swine influenza. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Disease surveillance remains largely reactive because outbreaks are often confirmed only after transmission has already occurred across multiple connected production sites."

Meet the guest: Swaminathan Jayaraman / swamjay is a Graduate Research Assistant at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. With academic training in management information systems and engineering, he focuses on integrating diagnostic, production, and movement data to improve disease surveillance and decision support in swine production systems. Listen to Swaminathan Jayaraman on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.