News from the National Pork Board
National Swine Disease Council formed to help combat foreign animal disease

In 2013, when pork producers faced an outbreak of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, the US pork industry put a renewed emphasis on farm biosecurity. Today, the US pork industry has aligned its efforts to reduce the risks from foreign animal disease by creating the National Swine Disease Council (NSDC). The NSDC leadership includes representatives from the National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council, North American Meat Institute, Swine Health Information Center, American Association of Swine Veterinarians, and US Department of Agriculture, as well as state animal health officials.

“The National Pork Board is well positioned to respond having invested producer dollars over the past 30 years to establish research priorities and response protocols,” said Dave Pyburn, Pork Checkoff senior vice president of science and technology. “In the end, it comes down to producer awareness and education, which is our area of expertise. We have outstanding programs in place and pig farmers are committed to on-farm biosecurity procedures.” Additionally, 90% of farms have a premises identification number according to a November 2018 producer survey.

A newly emerging disease can also disrupt US pork exports and commerce, negatively impacting pork producers and their businesses. The combined expertise of the participating organizations will center on rapid response to diseases that threaten the US pork industry. Starting with the formation of the NSDC and identification of member participants, the producers and their organizations will turn their focus toward providing recommendations in collaboration with state and federal animal health officials, and other industry stakeholders, to respond to emerging swine diseases. Any disease could potentially threaten herd health and negatively affect the US pork industry. This focus specifically includes recommending policies for emerging and foreign animal diseases and collaborating with animal health officials, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders to increase understanding of a disease and quick response, as well as promoting acceptance of recommended actions throughout the US pork industry.

For more information, contact Dave Pyburn at dpyburn@pork.org or 515-223-2634.

Checkoff Swine Health Committee focuses on African swine fever-prevention strategy

The Pork Checkoff’s Swine Health Committee met in January during the National Pork Board’s Unified Research Meeting to discuss the industry’s swine health concerns, review research proposals, and to develop a plan of action for activities in 2019. The main focus of the committee is to prevent or minimize the impact of health challenges to the domestic pork industry. As would be expected, the committee spent most of its time on African swine fever (ASF) and discussing what it can do to aid in the prevention of the disease in the United States.

The Swine Health Committee’s plan of action for ASF includes:

  1. Develop a task force to specifically focus on ASF action items such as
    • identifying and funding key areas of research for ASF and other foreign animal diseases,
    • development and delivery of information to target audiences, and
    • promotion of the industry to maintain continuity of business and consumer confidence in pork.
  2. Continue aggressive support and promotion of the Secure Pork Supply plan and the accompanying data management platform, AgView.
  3. Work with allied associations to ensure collaboration and cooperation among all industry partners.

For more information, contact Patrick Webb at pwebb@pork.org or 515-223-3441.

Nominations open for 2019 America’s Pig Farmer of the Year award

Nominations for the 2019 America’s Pig Farmer of the Year award are being accepted now through Sunday, March 10 at www.americaspigfarmer.com. To receive an application, a farmer must be nominated or self-nominate. Then, the farmer will receive an email with a link to the application, which will be accepted until Monday, April 1.

For more information, contact Mike King atmking@pork.orgor 515-223-3532.

Sustainability infographicNew study shows US pork’s long-term sustainability progress

A new study from the University of Arkansas has confirmed what many have known for some time, America’s pig farmers are producing a product that has become increasingly sustainable over the past five decades. According to the new study, A Retrospective Assessment of US Pork Production: 1960 to 2015, the inputs needed to produce a pound of pork in the United States became more environmentally friendly over time. Specifically, 75.9% less land was needed, 25.1% less water, and 7.0% less energy. This also resulted in a 7.7% smaller carbon footprint.

“The study confirms what we as producers have been doing to make good on our ongoing commitment of doing what’s best for people, pigs, and the planet, which is at the heart of the industry’s We CareSM ethical principles,” said Steve Rommereim, National Pork Board president and a pig farmer from Alcester, South Dakota. “It’s a great barometer of our environmental stewardship over the years and gives us a solid benchmark for future improvements.”

For more information, contact Mike King at mking@pork.org or 515-223-3532.

Emerging technology focus at the Pork Checkoff

With disruptive technology and innovation impacting the pork industry both negatively and positively, the National Pork Board created a Director of Emerging Technology position in July 2018. This position is focused on understanding how NPB can represent the interests of pig farmers via proactive engagement in the areas of scientific research and technology innovation. The NPB is currently developing a blockchain pilot in the area of sustainability and the Board of Directors announced a strategic partnership with Thrive AgTech and several major US ag companies last November. The livestock sector has received very little attention and outside capital in the innovation area to date, but the potential to highlight pork industry needs and attract innovation is strong.

For more information, contact Bill Even at beven@pork.org or 515-223-2600.

Launch of Dinner at Home in America report and YouTube success

The first report from the Insight to Action research platform, titled Dinner at Home in America, was released in January. The report provides actionable insight for retailers around the nine newly identified consumer meal occasions. During the next several months, the National Pork Board will work with packers, processors, and retail partners to help them better understand these meal occasions, the needs, behaviors, and influences of that occasion, and how the pork industry can better position pork to meet the dining habits of consumers eating at home.

The National Pork Board spent 2018 in partnership with YouTube’s FameBit team. These content creators focused on sharing their love of pork with their followers. Two of the most popular sponsored videos, Barbecue Pork Chops and Whole Pork Loin, were with creator Binging with Babish as part of his Basics with Babish video series. The videos generated more than 2.7 million views. The Binging with Babish YouTube channel has 3.6 million subscribers and his video library has garnered 471.5 million views since 2006. The Barbecue Pork Chops video was selected to be shown at a YouTube-sponsored event on January 25, 2019 during the Sundance Film Festival, which draws leaders from the film industry including studio heads, top creators, and talent managers.

For more information, contact Jarrod Sutton at jsutton@pork.org or 515-223-2600.