The Swine report

Iowa Pork Names Amber Bryant Communications Manager

The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) is pleased to announce the addition of Amber Bryant as Communications Manager. Bryant brings to IPPA deep roots in agriculture, a genuine love for rural communities, and a career built on telling the stories of farmers and the people who work alongside them. “Amber brings an impressive combination of agricultural communications experience, pork industry knowledge and a genuine appreciation for the people who raise pigs,” said Pat McGonegle, CEO of the Iowa Pork Producers Association. “She understands the opportunities and challenges facing producers, and she knows how to turn complex issues into clear, meaningful stories. We’re excited to have her on our team and know she will be a tremendous asset as we continue working to serve Iowa’s pig farmers and strengthen their connection with consumers.” Bryant grew up first-generation off the farm from southern Missouri where her grandfather ran a cow-calf operation. That upbringing gave her an eRead More

From Producer Priorities to Research in Action: How Pork Checkoff Research Works

Research doesn’t start with a proposal. It starts with a producer need.  Behind every Pork Checkoff-funded research project is a process designed to connect the challenges producers face on the farm with the researchers who can help solve them.  That process was on full display this summer when the National Pork Board (NPB) brought researchers, producers, veterinarians, allied industry representatives and other partners together for the National Swine Health Strategy Research Summit in Des Moines last month.  The Research Summit was designed to look beyond individual projects. Participants shared current and planned research across National Swine Health Strategy (NSHS) priorities, identified opportunities to collaborate, and examined how individual efforts fit together to advance measurable improvements in swine health.  For Todd Wiley, a pork producer and member of NPB’s Swine Health Advisory Committee, seeing that bigger picture changed the way he viewed Checkoff-funded research.Read More

A Smaller Hog Herd Still Leaves a Tight Margin for Producers

My takeaway from the latest report and economic outlook is that a smaller herd does not automatically mean an easier road for producers. There is still pressure on the margin between what it costs to raise a pig and what that pig brings at market. That deserves our attention as we look toward next year. USDA estimates the September hog inventory at 74.3 million head, down 2% from a year ago. The breeding herd is also smaller. At the same time, producers continue to improve productivity: pigs saved per litter increased, although that gain did not fully offset fewer summer farrowings. These are USDA’s published estimates and may be revised. That combination is worth watching. Herd size tells us something about future supply. So do the pigs saved, the pigs that reach market and the weights at which they are sold. We need to look at those pieces together to understand how much pork will ultimately be available. And we need to keep costs in the same conversation. In the economic outlookRead More