KENTUCKY PORK PRODUCERS GATHER IN BOWLING GREEN FOR 2018 ANNUAL MEETING The Kentucky Pork Producers held their annual meeting in Jan. 19-20 at the Sloan Convention Center in Bowling Green. Over 100 members were in attendance. The meeting kicked off with the annual Scholarship Auction Banquet. With the help of generous bidders, this year’s auction raised $6,650 for the scholarship fund. Producer education panels began at 9 a.m. Saturday morning. Todd Rodibaugh from the National Pork Board gave members an overview of their current work to determine consumer trends. Rodibaugh also mentioned that 2018 marks the 10th year for National Pork Board’s WeCare program. The National Pork Producers Council’s Cody McKinley reported on political issues pertaining to the pork industry, specifically the Electronic Logging Device debate and pending immigration bills. Producers were given an overview and projection on hog and grain markets from Dr. Steve Meyer of Express Markets Inc. Analytics. Pete Goodman, Director of the Kentucky Division of Water discussed water regulations and compliance. Wrapping up the education panels was a presentation from Caleb Ragland of Shady Rest Farms, a 4,000 sow operation in LaRue County. Ragland’s primary focus was biosecurity. He was joined by Daren Miller, DVM with the Integrated Veterinary Network, who provides monthly veterinary evaluations on the farm. The Ladies Program was once again presented by pharmacist and pork producer Rosie Cochran.
Cochran taught the group to make no-sew fleece blankets. All participants assembled a blanket of their own to keep. Following the producer educational sessions, the Kentucky Pork Producers Association held their annual business meeting. The meeting included a financial report, overview of Kentucky Pork Producer Association activities from Executive Director Bonnie Jolly. Rebecca Mackey discussed her experience as the Agriculture Fellow in Congressman James Comer’s office in the summer of 2017, a position sponsored in part by the Kentucky Pork Producers. The meeting ended with the election of the 2019 KPPA officers and delegates. The annual meeting concluded Saturday evening with the Kentucky
Pork Producers Association Banquet. Shelby and Heather Emmick were named the Swine Farm Family of the Year, an award presented by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Keith Rogers. The Pork Restaurant of the Year was Smokey Pig Bar-B-Q, a Monroe County style bar-b-q restaurant in Bowling Green. John Robert “Bob” Robinson, longtime KPPA Board Member was inducted into the Hall of Fame. The Kentucky Pork Producers Annual Meeting was sponsored by: Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board; Ralco Nutrition; JBS USA; Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation; Tyson Fresh Meats; PIC; USA, Inc; and the Kentucky Corn Promotion Board.
The 2018 Kentucky Pork Producers Association Executive Board. From left to right: Benji Hudnall, Maurice Heard, Dr. Dennis Liptrap, Bill Cochran, Eric Heard, Shelby Emmick, John Medley and Jay Filiatreau. (Not picutred is J.T. Workman)
Spring 2018
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