In a much-anticipated study, researchers found that air emissions from North Carolina pig farm lagoons have decreased since research began in 1997. Most notably, ammonia levels have dropped by 22% to 54% in all lagoon types. While this finding is counter to what industry detractors have often asserted, researchers in this Checkoff-funded study scrutinized data from 182 lagoons to reach their final analysis – improvements in feed efficiency and management of swine farms have resulted in decreased nutrient output in manure, which has led to reduced air emissions. In addition, the researchers say data indicate that any overall increase in ammonia deposition in North Carolina over the past 40 years is likely due to increased human population growth, especially since the ammonia trendline continues upward even as the state’s pig population has decreased. 

For more information, visit www.pork.org/research or contact Dr Dave Pyburn at dpyburn@pork.org or 515-223-2600.

Secure Pork Supply plan and AgView update

The National Pork Board continues its work to deliver a digital data management solution to support the Secure Pork Supply plan. There have been development delays due to the complexity of the project and the challenge of translating use cases and requirements to software development. However, stakeholder feedback continues to be positive about the intended product.

One of the tools in the AgView system is already operational and in use by all the state animal health officials. Today, they are using the AgView electronic Certificates of Veterinary Inspection, generating 5000 to 6000 certificates a month. The AgView minimum viable product in support of a foreign animal disease response and business continuity is anticipated to be delivered in 2020, so producers should continue to get their sites and records for Secure Pork Supply ready using the Checkoff Secure Pork Supply tools and guidance at www.securepork.org.

For more information, contact Dr Patrick Webb at pwebb@pork.org or 515-223-2600.

Successful debut of Swine Innovation Summit on global food trends 

The industry’s first-ever Swine Innovation Summit was held recently in Indianapolis. At this conference, which was one day ahead of the Forbes Ag Tech conference, participants learned how the US pork industry is adapting in a dynamic production environment. The event included the role technology plays in food production and consumer information and how entrepreneurs are assessing the trillion-dollar food market.

At the end of the summit, 5 entrepreneurs presented their products to the audience and a critique panel. Two of these went on to present in the Forbes event and eventually went on to both win the top prize. Forbes and SVG Ventures announced SwineTech, an Iowa-based startup, and BinSentry a Canadian-based startup as winners of the THRIVE Midwest Challenge and recipients of the 2019 THRIVE-Forbes Innovation Icon Award at the Forbes AgTech Summit in Indianapolis. Learn more by visiting www.pork.org.

Pork Checkoff moving remittance payments into online system

The National Pork Board is moving Pork Checkoff remittances to its online platform by November 1, 2019. The online Checkoff remittance system will provide pork producers flexibility with payment options, increase transparency, and will reduce Checkoff administrative costs by $150,000. Producers not currently using the system will need to register before they can begin using the secure system at www.pork.org/pay or call 800-456-7675 to sign up.

Board approves moving forward with new Checkoff 4.0 strategic vision

In a board meeting earlier this fall, the National Pork Board’s directors unanimously approved the general process and priorities for Checkoff staff to begin necessary work in support of the new strategic vision. The approval directs the entire organization to align staff to assess and define priorities, work, and budgets. This includes developing specific work objectives, key performance indicators, and budget.

Pork Checkoff restructuring

• The National Pork Board of Directors is close to finishing a major restructuring of the Pork Checkoff based on input from over 1000 producers and allied industry members this spring.
• One fundamental change involves the Board’s decision to move away from 5-year planning cycles, programs, and committees into an agile business model built around annual planning, project-based work, and task forces focused on short- and long-term priorities. Task forces built around industry priority projects have a beginning and an end and are driven to outcomes focused on time, scope, and budget.
• The Board recognizes the Pork Checkoff must move at the speed of business to be relevant and must align and collaborate with allied industry organizations to maximize effectiveness of research, promotion, and education spending.
• In addition, the Pork Checkoff has been hiring employees who have robust for-profit business experience to better serve business-minded pork producers. In the past 24 months we have hired people with experience working at JBS, McDonalds, Zoetis, Hormel, Monsanto, Tyson, Bloomin’ Brands, Smithfield, Corteva, and Kroger. These people know what it takes to hit a production, business, or sales target.
• The new organization structure will go live on January 1, 2020.

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

Register now for annual sustainability summit

The Pork Checkoff will take part in the 2019 Sustainable Agriculture Summit, November 20-21, in Indianapolis. The annual summit is titled Accelerating Progress: A Roadmap for Sustainable Agriculture and will draw more than 500 food and agriculture supply chain leaders to explore key drivers in defining and advancing sustainability across the industry. This year’s speakers include MC Corby Kummer, senior editor at The Atlantic; Zach Johnson and Mitchell Hora, farmers and hosts of American Public Media’s FieldWork—a podcast; and Amanda Little, professor and author of The Fate of Food.

To register or learn more, visit sustainableagsummit.usdairy.com or contact Dr Brett Kaysen at bkaysen@pork.org or 515-223-2600.

Pig Welfare Symposium 2019 set for November 13-15

The Pig Welfare Symposium (PWS) 2019, presented by the National Pork Board, will take place on November 13-15, in Minneapolis. Featuring a stellar lineup of speakers, PWS 2019 will be an interactive forum to discuss recent research, share ideas, learn from other industry segments and identify potential solutions for animal welfare issues. You can see the daily agenda at www.pork.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/2019-agenda.pdf.

Registration to attend onsite is still open, but you may also participate virtually if you cannot travel to Minneapolis. Visit www.pork.org/pws for more information and to register. All presentations, including the Thursday breakout sessions, will be live-streamed and virtual attendees will be able to ask questions and participate in discussions. Each virtual attendee will receive an email with links to join PWS 2019. It’s important to note that these links are unique to you and are not transferable. You also will receive a separate email with a .pdf file of the meeting proceedings.

For more information, contact Dr Sara Crawford at scrawford@pork.org or 515-223-2790.