Visionary Honored by NPB and NPPC with Paulson-Whitmore Award

Mar 20, 2023

Mike Telford Recognized for Charting New Courses for Iowa Pig Farmers

Mike Telford’s 20 years at Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) were filled with stories of overcoming adversities through preparation and working to bring about the best opportunities for pig farmers and pork production.

At the 2023 Pork Forum, Telford was recognized with the Paulson-Whitmore Award by National Pork Board (NPB) and the National Pork Producer’s Council (NPPC). The award recognizes the achievements and contributions of state pork association leaders to their states and the pork industry as a whole.

Preparing for the Future

Telford’s tenure with IPPA began in 1978 when he was only 24 years old. During his nearly twenty years as state executive director, Telford led the organization through challenging years in agriculture and major changes in the pork industry.

Under his leadership, Iowa led the nation in establishing a mandatory Pork Checkoff. For this and other accomplishments, Telford is quick to deflect any of the credit for the accomplishments of IPPA to his producers.

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Video: Turning Data into Better Decisions: BioCV's Intelligent Monitoring System for Modern Pork Producers

In this exclusive interview, Jens Kjaer, CEO of BioCV Inc., discusses the North American launch of the BioCV Intelligent Sow Monitoring System and how advanced sensor technology and machine learning are changing the way producers manage sow herds. Using smart ear tags that continuously monitor temperature, behavior, and movement, the system provides real-time alerts for heat detection, farrowing, fever, lameness, and other critical health events—often before they become visible to barn staff.

Kjaer explains how the technology helps producers improve breeding efficiency, reduce non-productive days, identify health challenges earlier, and better support sows during farrowing. He also shares how BioCV's predictive analytics can help operations optimize labor, improve piglet survival, reduce sow losses, and enhance overall productivity in today's increasingly data-driven swine industry.

Learn how this innovative technology is giving producers actionable insights on every sow, every day, helping teams move from reactive management to proactive decision-making while improving both animal welfare and profitability. www.biocv.info/lisa-sow