Pork producers support a sustainable future

National Pork Board Press Release

For America’s pork producers, focusing on the principles of Earth Day is not a one day remembrance. It is a daily part of how they manage their farms. Yet, even with a long history of being good stewards of the environment, producers continue to seek ways to improve the WE CARE ethical principles that benefit their animals, their neighbors, their local community and consumers worldwide.

“To us, sustainability is the ability to endure,” said Randy Spronk, a farrow-to-finish pork producer from Edgerton, Minn., who serves on the National Pork Board’s Environmental Committee. “That’s why pork producers support the development of swine operations of all types and sizes that safeguard animal health and welfare, improve the food safety of pork and are environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.”

Pork production contributes only one-third of one percent (0.33%) of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, every pound of pork produced in the United States today has a smaller carbon footprint than it used to have 20 years ago, due to improved production methods employed by producers over the years.  Things such as:

• Improved feeding programs that carefully match swine diets to the nutrition needs of the  pigs’ based on their sex, age and stage of growth ensures the pig’s health and welfare without overfeeding nutrients that end up in the manure.
• Using manure as a natural fertilizing agent to replace or offset the use of commercial fertilizers that are made from petroleum products. This not only helps reduce the energy use associated with making the commercial fertilizers, but also helps build the carbon content and moisture-holding capacity of soils.
• Improved manure management and application practices, such as following carefully developed manure management plans that match the manure nutrient applied to the nutrient needs of the crops to be grown. Also, injection or incorporation of the manure nutrients at the time of application, not only ensures getting the full fertilizer value of the manure, but guards against runoff that could impact water quality.
• Controlling odor. Windbreaks are an important feature of many swine farms, because the trees help filter the air and reduce the potential transfer of odor from the farm.

NPPA going strong for National Pork Month

By Dee Petersen, NPPA Producer Information Director, for Pork Industry Report

It continues to be a busy Pork Month at the Association office. On October 19, Jane Reeson, Domestic Marketing Director, was joined by Chef Judy Gillard of Lincoln at the Creighton Cardiac Center in Omaha. More than 35 people in varying levels of cardiac care were given information about the nutritional attributes of pork and then were treated to three heart healthy pork meals.  

FCCLA students enjoy the taste of lean pork chops at the FCCLA District 6 Leadership Conference.

Kyla Wize, Youth Leadership Specialist, and Jane Reeson traveled to Polk Neb. on October 20 to attend the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) District 6 leadership conference. More than 100 high school students representing area schools attended the one day conference. FCCLA is a non-profit national career and technical student organization for young men and women in family and consumer sciences education in public and private school, grades 7- 12. Students learned about where pork comes from, how our animals are raised and treated to insure healthy and safe pork products.

Former president of the Association, Terry O’Neel from Friend Neb. welcomed individuals to his diverse farm operation on October 21. Representatives from Nebraska Farm Bureau, Nebraska Humane Society , Nebraska Cattlemen, Girl Scouts of America and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln along with representatives from Senator Mike Johanns, Congressman Adrian Smith and Congressman Jeff Fortenberry offices were present.

Also on the farm tour were representatives from seven State Senator offices. The group learned about pork production and to see first hand the actual day-to-day operations. The group was able to visualize how pork producers follow the ethical principals and animal well-being practices set by the National Pork Board’s  We Care, PQA Plus and TQA program.

For more information about the Nebraska Pork Producers Association visit  www.nepork.org or call 1 (888) 627-7

This is a gilt, a young girl pig, being bred for the first time. In 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days, a total of 114 days, this gilt will farrow or give birth to her first litter of piglets.

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Click here to see FCCLA District 6 Leadership Conference pictures.

Click here to see Terry O’Neel’s pork farm tour pictures.

Nebraska helps NPB reach the 4000th speech for Operation Main Street

National Pork Board Press Release

Pork producers are more committed than ever to demonstrating how much they care about producing safe and nutritious food, the well-being of their animals and protecting the environment. Through some amazing efforts, they have reached another important milestone for the National Pork Board’s Operation Main Street (OMS) program. On Aug. 4, volunteer OMS speakers achieved the Pork Checkoff-funded program’s 4,000^th speech.  

“Thanks to our volunteers, OMS has grown into a significant asset for the pork industry and an important voice for the pork industry’s We Care initiative,” said Perry Aasness, vice president of industry relations for the Pork Checkoff. “OMS speakers are now showing key decision-makers and influencers such as county commissioners, dietitians, and small animal veterinarians, how pork producers are working hard every day to do the right thing.”

We Care is a pork industry initiative designed to help producers demonstrate they are committed to established ethical principals and animal well-being practices.

Nebraska pork producers serve 75 pounds of pork loin to Omaha Royals fans

National Pork Board's "We Care" trailer helps Nebraska pork producers serve 75 pounds of pork.

The Nebraska Pork Producers Association and  the Omaha Royals partnered together for a night full of fun pork promotion June 11, 2010. NPPA staff, pork producers, mentors and friends of the industry helped hand out pork loin samples to those who came to watch the Omaha Royals take on the Nashville Sounds.

With the help of the National Pork Board and the “We Care” trailer, 75 pounds of grilled pork loin donated by Tyson Fresh Meats was handed out before the baseball game and received unanimous approval from those who tasted the samples. 

Several guests said they “enjoyed the juiciness flavor of the pork samples” and “were glad to hear to what temperature pork should be cooked to.”

Handing out the samples gave a great opportunity for pork producers to educate consumers about proper cooking temperatures, how U.S pork producers humanely care for their pigs and informed them of the “We Care” initiative that pork producers follow to demonstrate that producers are accountable to established ethical principles and animal well-being practices.

NPPA mentor, Lacey Shardt, serves pork loin to Omaha Royals fans.

The night continued with  NPPA vice president Shane Meyer throwing the first pitch to start the game. Although his sons were worried about his throwing technique, Shane made a great throw and proved them wrong.

Once the game began, 190 pork producers, family members and friends who registered for free tickets, enjoyed watching the Omaha Royals win against the Nashville Sounds. Also, throughout the game the “Bucket Boys,” a four-man band, showed their drumming talent performed on 10 gallon buckets.

A fireworks display was shown after the Omaha Royals won 5-0.

Pork producers showing ‘We Care’

The We Care responsible pork initiative is a joint effort of the Pork Checkoff, through the National Pork Board, and the National Pork Producers Council, to help demonstrate that producers are accountable to established ethical principles and animal well-being practices.

The pork industry already offers numerous programs, including Pork Quality Assurance Plus® (PQA Plus®) and Transport Quality Assurance® (TQASM), to support animal well-being and maintain a safe, high-quality supply of pork.

Nebraska pork producers and others within the industry can register for PQA Plus and TQA training now at www.nepork.org.  The 22 training down-linked sites are conveniently located across the state.

The We Care initiative ties everything together to help the public view the pork industry as a self-regulated business that earns the trust of others.

Other programs that producers can take part in to support the We Care responsible pork initiative include Operation Main Street, Neighbor to Neighbor and NPPC’s LEADR program.

Operation Main Street is an intensive training program for producers to help spread the message about the pork industry.  Look for Operation Main Street coming to Lincoln, Neb. on July 9 and 10, 2009 at Lincoln’s Cornhusker Marriott.  For further detail, contact NPPA at (888) 627-7675.