Pig Tales Issue 3 2007

IG TALES P May/June 2007 • No. 3

The Official Publication of the Kansas Pork Industry

Pork Producer hosts Ag Day for Students

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Managing Editor Mandy Gramkow President-Ceo Tim Stroda 2007 KPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman: Pete Sherlock – Washington Kent Condray – Clifton Chris Cox – Long Island Thomas Frederick – Hugoton Alan Haverkamp – Bern Jim Hicks – Leoti Michael Springer – Sycamore Ron Suther – Blaine Jim Nelssen – Kansas State University Kelly Wondra – Ellinwood 2007 KPPC BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman: Ron Suther – Blaine Steve Eichman – Westmoreland Alan Haverkamp – Bern Chris Cox – Long Island

IG TALES P

May/June 2007 • No. 3

The Official Publication of the Kansas Pork Industry

FEATURES 6

KPA/KPPC Recent Events

8

World Pork Expo Information

9

Community Outreach Program

10

Image Campaign Partners with Kansas Soybean Commission U.S. Meat Export Federation News

11

Pork Community Outreach Program

14

Pork Producer hosts Ag Day for Students

22

PQA Plus Information

10

ABOUT THE COVER

PIG TALES May/June 2007 • No. 3

The Official Publication of the Kansas Pork Industry

Pork Producer hosts Ag Day for Students

14

I’m a pork producer.

Together, we raise our community’s standard of living.

The swine industry is the soybean industry’s second largest domestic customer. Pork producers purchase over 8.7 million tons of locally grown soybean meal to feed their hogs. And that’s just part of their economic impact. They also account for more than 340,000 jobs nationwide, and generate more than $1.6 billion in tax revenue. A strong animal agriculture industry helps ensure a better living for pork producers, soybean farmers and the entire rural community.

Read about A Pork Producer’s involvement with Ag Day on the farm

Brought to you by America’s pork producers and soybean farmers.

800-456-PORK www.pork.org www.animalag.org ©2007 National Pork Board ©2007 United Soybean Board [29348 pk 05/07]

29348 - NPB State coop KS 8.5x5.1 1

Pig Tales is the official bi-monthly publication of the Kansas Pork Association (KPA) and the Kansas Pork Producers Council (KPPC). The publisher cannot guarantee the correctness of all information or absence of errors and omissions, nor be liable for content of advertisements. We reserve the right to edit or refuse all materials. The KPA does not guarantee or endorse the performance of any products or services advertised within the publication. All Pig Tales inquires should be directed to the editors at: Kansas Pork Association, 2601 Farm Bureau Road, Manhattan, KS 66502, Phone 785-7760442, Fax 785-776-9897, E-mail: kpa@ kspork.org, Web site: www.kspork.org

I’m a soybean farmer.

5/9/07 11:53:12 AM

IN EVERY ISSUE 5

The President’s Corner

13

It’s Tenderloin Time! Pork Recipes

16

K-State Connection to the Pork Industry

18

National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) News

20

National Pork Board (NBP) News May/June 2007 • Pig Tales

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Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines, IA Pig Tales • May/June 2007

Dear KPA Members, My last week as Communications Director for the Kansas Pork Association will be at the end of June. I will be starting a graduate assistantship position as an Assistant Coordinator for Apartment Living with K-State’s Jardine Apartment Complex in July. Along side my assistantship, I will begin graduate school at K-State this August, pursuing a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Student Development. This degree is intended for someone who wants to work in student affairs on a college campus; examples of such departments include career and employment services, admissions, financial aid and housing and dining.

Thank you for the opportunity to work with Tim, the board of directors and the members.

I have also really enjoyed getting to know the people who are proud to be serving in the pork industry of Kansas.

I appreciate your support as I face the future endeavors. I am very excited to start school and explore the career possibilities in this new field.

Best Regards, Mandy Gramkow

Dear Editor, The pork industry of Kansas stands to gain substantially from four recently negotiated trade agreements – with Colombia, Peru, Panama, and Korea – and, as a consequence, so will many other Kansans. As a pork producer, I am encouraged by the opportunities presented to my industry through these agreements. They offer real hope that new markets may help to mitigate the impact of several economic trouble spots for our sector.

Tim Stroda President-CEO Kansas Pork Association

The President’s Corner The Kansas Pork Association, in cooperation with the National Pork Producers Council, is working to educate the general public about the impact of Free Trade Agreements on the pork industry and our communities. One of the avenues we are utilizing is working to place letters from producer leadership into the opinion pages of newspapers around the state. This is a sample of this effort from KPA Chairman Pete Sherlock DVM, Washington.

But why should other Kansans care that the state’s pork industry will benefit from these agreements? A recent study by Daniel Otto and John Lawrence, extension economists at Iowa State University, concluded that the $400.3 million of gross receipts from hog sales in Kansas in 2005 generated significant added value throughout the state’s economy. According to this analysis, about 7,100 Kansas jobs are involved in various aspects of the pork industry, ranging from input suppliers to producers, to processors and handlers, as well as main street businesses that benefit from purchases by people in these industries. Overall, they estimate that $262.3 million of personal income and $426.3 million of gross state product are supported by the hog industry, based on 2005 levels of production.

The economists go on to estimate that if the percentage of Kansas-grown pork that is exported is comparable to the national average, 915 jobs and $33.8 million of personal income in Kansas is supported by exports to foreign markets. It is worth noting that virtually all of these export-driven jobs, off-farm income, and farm receipts, is due to prior trade agreements. Since entering into bilateral trade deals, U.S. pork exports have increased to Canada by 4,751%, to Mexico by 598%, China 984%, Chile 1,100% and Australia 636%. And, without prior multilateral trade agreements, our exports to countries such as Japan and Korea would likely be negligible. Those two countries now represent our first and fourth largest foreign markets.

So, when new trade agreements are negotiated, we judge them against some high standards. Here is what Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes has concluded about the potential impact on pork of three of the four free trade agreements that are ready for Congressional consideration: When fully implemented, the Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement will cause live U.S. hog prices to be $1.63 higher than would otherwise have been the case, boosting profits of producers on average by 14 percent; the Peru Trade Promotion Agreement will increase live U.S. hog prices by 83 cents and profits on average by 7 percent; the Panama Trade Promotion Agreement will cause hog prices to be 20 cents higher and bring in export revenue worth approximately $20.6 million.

Not all of the details on the U.S-Korea FTA have yet been made public, but we know enough to know that this FTA will be worth hundreds of millions of dollars of additional sales, and will ensure a strong competitive position for U.S. producers in that enormous market vis a vis pork from Europe, Brazil and elsewhere.

Lest anyone question whether we really need these new agreements, look no farther than the current frenzy over renewable fuels. Corn – the major source of ethanol and the major feed for hogs -- has nearly doubled in price in the last year. For my industry to remain competitive and to be able to continue to provide significant economic benefits to Kansas, new export opportunities – such as those provided by these free trade deals – are essential. Congress should approve them as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

May/June 2007 • Pig Tales

Pork Racing at the Kansas City Speedway Seven Kansas Pork Producers attended the Pork Racing Promotion held, Saturday, April 27, at the Kansas City Speedway. Producers helped serve BBQ pork sandwiches to the garage pit/infield areas. Pork Checkoff’s driver, Frank Kimmel, placed 15th in the rain-delayed ARCA RE/MAX Series Kansas Lottery $150 Grand.

(above) Pictured from left to right are: Leo Schwartz, Washington; Roy and Linda Henry, Longford; Gene and Ruth Henderson, Palmer; Marian and Kent Condray, Clifton; and Mandy and Ben Gramkow, KPA Staff. (above, right) Gene Henderson works with the National Pork Board Staff to assemple sandwiches to be passed out in the garage pit area. (right) Frank Kimmel, Pork Checkoff’s driver gets into his car for qualifying laps earlier in the day. Kimmel started with the eighth fastest qualifying lap in this race.

The Kansas Nutrition Council Conference Serves Pork

Pork Retail Kits Displayed in Commissaries

The Kansas Pork Association sponsored pork for the luncheon of the 2007 Kansas Nutrition Council Conference, Accepting Size Diversity, Thinking Outside the Box, held Thursday, April 12, 2007, in Salina.

The Kansas Pork Association, along with the National Pork Board, provided pork nutrition retail kits to thirty DeCA commissaries in the Southern, Central and Midwestern United States. These point of sale materials, including recipes, along with retail cut posters provide consumers with updated information on the nutritional content of pork.

More than 125 participants attended the event and were served Pan-Seared Chops with Pear and Soy-Ginger Glaze, a pork recipe, provided by the National Pork Board and www. theotherwhitemeat.com.

Attendees also received an updated health professional white paper in CD format covering pork’s role in a healthful diet. It included a recipe brochure featuring healthful cuts of pork, also listing the recipe they were served. Attendees also received an educational program DVD developed for 7th and 8th grade Family and Consumer Science classrooms that focuses on meat and protein in your diet.

“There are no words to express how grateful the Kansas Nutrition Council is for the support of the Kansas Pork Association. The participants appreciated the variety in the meal and the caterer told me this was one of the easiest recipes to follow and prepare.”

~Lynn Kasper, KNC

Pig Tales • May/June 2007

“We appreciate the KPA and NPB’s assistance. These materials provide DeCA with tools necessary to help focus on customer’s health and wellness and provide an exciting shopping experience,” Barb Hail, Sarvis Inc., said.

“It also helps DeCA promote the commissary benefit which improves military quality of life, and has a positive impact on the recruitment, retention, and readiness of today’s military. The commissary benefit is rated as one of the top non-pay benefits,” continued Hail.

Retail kits in Kansas were placed in the meat departments at the Ft. Leavenworth Commissary, the Ft. Riley Commissary and the McConnell AFB Commissary. Materials were also disbursed to the following defense commissary agencies in these states: Michigan, Florida, Indiana, Georgia, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Missouri, Nebraska and Colorado.

KPA Sponsors BBQ Contest The Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned KSU Wildcat BBQ Contest kicked off early Saturday morning, April 21, in Cat Town near Bill Snyder Family Stadium, as part of the pre-Spring football game events. The Kansas Pork Association sponsored the competition taking place in both the professional and tailgate categories.

This year, 66 judges tasted BBQ from 64 teams. The participants traveled from six states, including North Dakota and Minnesota, to try their recipes in four categories: chicken, pork shoulder or butt, beef brisket and pork ribs.

The Rib Pirates won the tailgate division and Albert’s Ash-Kickin’ Barbecue earned the state champion title and an invitation to the American Royal Barbecue Contest in October in Kansas City, Mo. (above) First place winners, Albert’s Ash Kickin BBQ - Left to Right: Mike Coffin, Jerry Albert, Ed Albert, KPA Chairman Pete Sherlock, and Terry Albert .

Congratulations to the following winners: 1st place - Albert’s Ash Kick’n BBQ (Jerry Albert) of Overland Park 2nd place - Broken K BBQ (Brock Kerr) of Dodge City (above) There was also a trophy presentation during the KSU Spring Game on the field.

KPA sponsors award at Kansas Meat Processors Association competition

3rd place - Pig In! Pig Out! (Derek Cochran) of Wichita. grocery stores to put up the BBQ kits. Also, we hope those of you who haven’t participated before would sign up!

Homer Krehbiel, owner of Krehbiel’s Meats in McPherson, was this year’s winner of the Most Innovative Pork Product award sponsored by the Kansas Pork Association.

We will ship all materials to you FREE OF CHARGE. We need your help getting them utilized in grocery stores around Kansas.

His Caribbean marinated pork loin earned his honors for this grand champion award at the Kansas Meat Processors Associaiton annual competition in April.

Another idea would be to include your kids. If any of them are in 4-H, this would make a great activity for their record book!

The Kansas Pork Association also provided point of sale materials and retail cuts posters made available to those participants who attended the Kansas Meat Processors Association trade show.

Pork, NOw that’s bbq!

The Kansas Pork Association is asking for your help in spreading the word across Kansas grocery stores about grilling pork.

We have “point of sale” materials available FREE OF CHARGE that promote pork in the grilling season. This BBQ kit includes magnetic signs, meatcase cards and recipes.

We are hoping that those who put up the nutritional kits will go back to those local

E-mail kpa@kspork.org or call the office (EXTENDED until July 10 for your chance at the drawing for the Chill ‘N Grill set) at 785-7760442, with the following information: your name, address, phone number, E-mail, number of kits needed and the name of grocery store and town of where you’re placing the kits.

Take a picture talking to the meat manager, putting materials up in the grocery store, standing outside the grocery store, etc. and send it to the KPA Office. Once we receive your photos, we’ll send you a bottle of Perfect Pork Chop Sprinkle, as your gift for helping us spread the great word about pork. Also, partipants will be entetered into a drawing for a Chill N’ Grill set to be held on July 15.

This set is a great take along for any picnic or tailgating party. It contains a grill/smoker and a cooler.

May/June 2007 • Pig Tales

Taking a New Look at Sow Housing Upcoming Event It’s no secret that the longevity and productivity of your sows, as well as your profit potential, are impacted by sow housing systems. The Pork Board relies on the best scientific research available, which indicates there are several types of production systems that can be good for pigs.

“Sow housing has become an emotional topic that can open up a Pandora’s box of decisions, but it also offers a new way to look at things,” notes Bob Dykhuis, president of the 18,000-sow Dykhuis Farms Inc. near Holland, Mich.

Several years ago Dykhuis Farms started housing about half its sows in a pen-type system for gestating animals.

About 50 sows are housed per pen before they are moved to traditional farrowing crates. This system requires different management skills and more animal husbandry, Dykhuis notes, but he believes the system will offer some advantages.

“We need to evaluate our options carefully and realize that the sow housing debate doesn’t have to be something that destroys our industry.”

Investing in science-based knowledge During the last 10 years, the Pork Checkoff has invested more than half a million dollars to support 10 research projects to evaluate sow-housing systems and how they affect the animals’ well being.

To keep producers updated on the latest information, the Sow Housing Forum Committee will host the Sow Housing Forum at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott on the eve of the 2007 World Pork Expo. The June 6 forum, which runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., will address options for gestation housing, specifically the management aspects for individual and group housing. Topics to be covered include feeding and nutrition, retrofitting, labor, Pig Tales • May/June 2007

well-being, health care, longevity, and case studies from producers. The Sow Housing Forum Committee is made up of staff from the Pork Checkoff, National Hog Farmer, academia and industry representatives.

In any pork production system, the most important tool a producer can have is the ability to provide for the care of each pig, stresses Paul Sundberg, vice president of science and technology for the National Pork Board. “The body of peer-reviewed scientific papers on the subject supports the contention that the major factor affecting sow well-being continues to be the skill and management of the person taking care of the animal-more than the type of housing the sow is in.”

Analyze your options with the Sow Housing Calculator The Pork Checkoff has also developed three computer-based tools to help you evaluate the production and financial implications between the following types of housing systems for gestating sows: • Remodeling of an existing individual stalls gestation building into a facility that loosely houses sows in pens.

• Building a new gestation facility that loosely houses sows in pens.

• Building a new hoop structure that loosely houses sows in pens and allows you to feed the sows either indoors or outdoors.

The tool allows for two options to be simultaneously evaluated. These spreadsheets will help you evaluate various group-housing systems under the assumptions you enter.

For more information call the Checkoff’s Service Center at 800-456PORK.

2007 World Pork Expo set for June 7-9 Upcoming Event The 19th annual World Pork Expo will be held June 7-9, 2007, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. As the largest pork-industry trade show and exhibition in the world, the expo draws

some 30,000 pork producers, exhibitors and visitors from across the country and around the globe.

“World Pork Expo has been getting better and better every year,” says Jill Appell, National Pork Producers Council president and a pork producer from Altona, Ill. “If it has to do with pork production, you’ll find it at World Pork Expo.”

World Pork Expo events will include: * Career Center and Job Fair * Marketing Information Center * Employee Care Center * Environmental Information Center * Educational Seminars * Farm Toy Show and Sale * Breed Shows and Sales * Lunch at the Big Grill on Thursday and Friday * World Pork Open Golf Tournament * World Pork Open Sporting Clay Tournament Pork producers are encouraged to make a point of staying around for Friday evening’s hog roast, featuring musical entertainment presented streetdance style on the Grand Concourse.

Entertainers will include Billy Joe Royal, whose hits include “Down in the Boondocks” and “Cherry Hill Park,” and ‘60s sensations the Buckinghams, with hits like “Kind of a Drag” and “Hey, Baby, They’re Playin’ Our Song.”

“We’re excited about having yet another successful World Pork Expo!”

Appell says. “It’s the best time for pork producers to learn about animal health issues, economic situations that will impact their operations and talk oneon-one with the experts in the swine industry.”

The latest information on entertainment, educational seminars, sponsorship opportunities and more is available online at www.worldpork.org.

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To be eligible you must:

Programs eligible for cost-sharing dollars include:

2007 Pork Community Outreach Program

•

Sponsoring pork as the main dish for a community meal, golf tournament, booster club activities or charity event.

The Kansas Pork Association is into it’s second year as a program for Kansas pork producers, “Pork Community Outreach”.

The program is designed to assist individual pork producers in becoming more involved and positively visible in their local communities.

• •

“We’re hoping producers see this as an opportunity to build better relationships with community members,” Tim Stroda, KPA President-CEO, said.

Sponsoring a local sports team (your farm name and the pork logo would be displayed on T-shirts.)

•

Sponsoring sinage at a local sporting event (your farm name and the pork logo would be displayed).

•

Sponsorship of a local festival.

•

Doing classroom visits educating youth about the nutritional value of pork and modern pork production (educational materials provided by the KPA).

•

provide sorting boards for the county fair.

This year, the KPA would like to offer matching funds for 100 percent of their expenses on selected community relations activities. For every $1 a producer contributes, the KPA will also contribute $1.

The purpose of this program is to multiply the positive effects of pork producer involvement in the communities where hogs are raised.

To view guidelines and to find an application form, please visit the KPA Web site, www.kspork.org.

Under the news section you will find a link to the Outreach program.

Hosting a hog roast or other pork meal for a near by housing development.

•

Fill out a cost share request form and submit it to the KPA at least two weeks prior to your event.

-Contact local media in advance

•

Submit design ideas to the KPA so that appropriate logos and messages may be included.

•

Take photos during event and send to the KPA.

•

Meet KPA guidelines.

KPA Guidelines: •

Must be a significant portion of the audience that is non-family and nonemployee.

•

The sponsorship dollars must be used and visible in your local community.

•

Funds may not be used for political fund raising events.

•

KPA Committee has final decision in approving funds.

•

Limited funds available. Projects will be approved on a first come-first serve basis.

Questions? Contact the KPA Office at (785) 776-0442.

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May/June 2007 • Pig Tales

I’m a pork producer.

I’m a soybean farmer.

Together, we raise our community’s standard of living.

The swine industry is the soybean industry’s second largest domestic customer. Pork producers purchase over 8.7 million tons of locally grown soybean meal to feed their hogs. And that’s just part of their economic impact.

They also account for more than 340,000 jobs nationwide, and generate more than $1.6 billion in tax revenue.

A strong animal agriculture industry helps ensure a better living for pork producers, soybean farmers and the entire rural community.

Brought to you by America’s pork producers and soybean farmers.

800-456-PORK www.pork.org www.animalag.org 10 P T

May/June 2007

ig ales • ©2007 National Pork Board ©2007 United Soybean Board [29348 pk 05/07]

image campaign partnerS with kansas soybean commission Again this year, the Pork and Soybean Checkoffs partnered for an Image Campaign, with ads emphasizing how, “Together, we raise our community’s standard of living.” The Kansas Soybean Commission has decided to contribute to the efforts of the Kansas Pork Association Starting in mid-May, billboards, newspaper and radio advertsements will be launched in Brown, Nemaha and Washington counties to create consumer and producer awareness about the positive impact of pork and soybean producers in their cities.

The advertisements similar to the one pictured to the left will be placed in the Hiawatha World, Seneca-Courier Tribune and Washington County News. Radio spots are scheduled to run on KNZA FM, WIBW 580 AM and KFRM 550 AM. Three billboards, located in Hiawatha, Seneca and Washington, state similar messages.

In June, our target counties will be Wilson and Montgomery. The KPA’s plan is to cover different counties within Kansas every month until October.

Please let us know if and how the advertisements are affecting your communities.

The Kansas Pork Producers Council (KPPC) is a member of the U.S. Meat Export Federation

WORLDWIDE OUTLOOK U.S. pork and pork variety meat exports continued their global expansion in 2006 with a record export volume for the 15th consecutive year. U.S. export market share has been increasing as well, from a mere 2 percent in 1990, to more than 26 percent today.

While global pork exports increased by roughly 1 percent last year, U.S. pork exports increased 9 percent to 1,262,499 metric tons valued at $2.864 billion. This growth is notable considering exports to Japan, traditionally the top market for U.S. pork, decreased by 4.7 percent. In 2007,

the United States is forecast to surpass the EU-27 to become the world’s largest pork exporter.

The decline of pork exports to Japan was not unexpected as Japan started the year with relatively a large volume of imported pork. The Japanese investigation into tariff avoidance has also slowed frozen pork imports, especially from Denmark and Canada.

Of the major pork suppliers to Japan, the United States felt the least impact, as the 6 percent increase in chilled pork exports partially offset the 17 percent decrease in frozen pork exports. Mexico surpassed Japan as the number one volume market for U.S. pork exports, but Japan remained the number one value market.

South Korea boasted the world’s highest meat prices during 2006, partially due to the continued ban on U.S. beef imports. Record meat prices combined with the growing preference for high quality U.S. pork increased demand. The United States is South Korea’s top pork supplier with around 26 percent of import market share.

In Russia, limited imports from Brazil due to continued FMD restrictions have caused domestic pork prices to increase, and have stimulated demand for U.S. pork imports.

Meanwhile, USMEF marketing campaigns and growing demand for U.S. pork in the foodservice industries accelerated growth in Central and South America as well as the Caribbean.

U.S. pork production and exports are forecast to increase in 2007.

Canadian pork slaughter decreased by 11.5 percent in 2006 and 2007 production is projected to fall by another 1.3 percent.

The strong Canadian dollar, high labor costs and rising feed costs will limit growth in Canadian pork exports.

Disease status will continue to impact Brazil’s pork exports, but production and exports will likely increase during 2007, as they will continue to be a low-cost pork producer.

China, the world’s largest pork producer and consumer, will likely increase production during 2007, but exports will decline as growing domestic production will struggle to keep pace with the continued growth in domestic consumption.

Chile’s production is projected to increase by 4 percent while their exports expand by 8 percent during 2007.

High global meat prices, the relatively weak U.S. dollar, growing consumer demand, and cost efficient production will lead the United States into another year of record breaking exports.

May/June 2007 • Pig Tales

11

USMEF Shows Potential Of U.S. Pork Variety Meat In Vietnam As Vietnam rises in economic wealth, so does its cultural diversity and a preference for a wider range of food offerings in addition to its traditional dishes.

Culinary training and trade visits by USMEF have helped increase the use of U.S. meat in Vietnam.

USMEF took those efforts one step farther in January by introducing the potential of U.S. pork variety meat to importers and foodservice operators.

Eric Choon, USMEF ASEAN director, and Yin provided samples of U.S. pork hearts and kidneys to meat distributors in Ho Chi Minh City.

They explained advantages of using U.S. pork variety meat, concentrating on the quality and the potential yields.

Pork variety meat is consumed by a majority of the ethnic Chinese population in Vietnam.

USMEF provided U.S. pork variety meat information in time for the Vietnamese New Year, called Tet, which took place Feb. 17-18. There is a high demand for variety meat items for this holiday.

USMEF Cooks Up Lunch Box Menus With U.S. Pork As part of a continued effort of making U.S. pork a daily meal item in Japan, 12 Pig Tales • May/June 2007

USMEF held a cooking class during March in Tokyo to introduce U.S. pork recipes for bento box lunches, which are popular for children to take to school or adults to take to work.

Masae Furutani, a well-known cooking instructor who has published several popular books about lunch box cooking, showed approximately 35 consumers how to prepare several dishes that included U.S. pork.

These included U.S. pork with steamed carrots and yogurt salad, U.S. pork and potato roll, U.S. pork fillet and egg roll and Inari sushi pork rice.

Furutani explained that U.S. pork is lower in calories and fat content compared to domestic pork.

Participants joined the instructor in preparing the meals.

Afterward, a USMEF questionnaire about the event showed 90 percent of the participants thought the cooking class was very helpful in learning about U.S. pork.

More than 50 percent of the participants had not purchased or tasted U.S. pork before the class, but all said they would purchase because of the class experience.

Many commented that U.S. pork is juicy and tasty.

The event was covered by TV Kanagawa, reaching approximately 14 million viewers, and the magazine Chikusan Nippo.

PRODEXPO Show Again Produces Good Results For U.S. Exporters USMEF reported strong interest from the Russian trade and participating members booked sales of U.S. pork that surpassed expectations at the PRODEXPO food show last week in Moscow.

PRODEXPO is the largest annual food show in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) market, which includes Russia and other former Soviet Republics.

The show drew 96,000 visitors and included more than 2,100 exhibitors from 61 countries. Sixty percent of the exhibitors were Russian companies, which is reflective of the local economy’s steady growth.

“PRODEXPO is the most important venue for the international and Russian meat industry. Every important supplier to the Russian market was there,” said Maria Kulakhmetova, USMEF manager, St. Petersburg and CIS countries. “The USMEF booth was an ideal place for members and staff to meet key contacts, maintain business relationships and develop new business.”

USMEF also hosted a trade reception in conjunction with the show at Goodman restaurant to encourage key business contacts to taste and enjoy U.S. pork.

It’s tenderloin time!

Asian Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple 2 pork tenderloins (12-16 oz. each) Marinade: 1 can (6-oz.) pineapple juice (3/4 cup)

Pork Tenderloin Amandine 1 pound pork tenderloin, cut into 8 equal pieces 2 teaspoons margarine 1/4 cup slivered or sliced almonds 1/4 cup flour Salt and pepper, to taste 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Cooking Directions Place each tenderloin piece between two pieces of plastic wrap and gently press to 1/4-inch thickness. Set aside. In skillet over medium heat, toast almonds for 1 minute or until golden, stirring constantly. Remove almonds and reserve. Melt margarine in skillet. Lightly coat tenderloins cutlets with flour and sauté over mediumheat 4 to 6 minutes, turning once. Remove pork to platter and keep warm. Add lemon juice and almonds to pan, stir and heat through. Pour sauce over pork and serve.

Serves 4.

Food Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 fat, 1/2 starch Serving Suggestions: Garnish this dish with almonds for a bit of a crunch. Serve with Parmesan roasted potato wedges and steamed green beans.

Nutrition Facts: Calories - 211 calories; Protein - 26 grams; Fat - 9 grams; Sodium - 150 milligrams; Cholesterol - 75 milligrams; Saturated Fat - 2 grams; Carbohydrates - 8 grams; Fiber - 1 gram.

3 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt (kosher) 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 cups peeled and cubed fresh pineapple (1-inch pieces) 6 to 8 wooden or metal skewers

Cooking Directions Place pork tenderloins in resealable plastic bag; set aside. In small bowl, combine marinade ingredients; pour over pork. Seal bag; refrigerate for at least 1 hour to marinate, or up to 24 hours to enhance flavor.

Preheat grill to medium-hot. When ready to grill, remove pork from marinade and place on grill.

Cook, covered, for about 10 minutes per side or until the internal temperature of pork is 160 degrees F. Meanwhile, place the pineapple chunks on the skewer; place on grill during the last 6 minutes of grilling time, turning after 3 minutes. To serve, slice pork into 1/2-inch slices (medallions) and serve with grilled pineapple.

Serves 6 to 8.

Nutrition Facts: Calories - 180 calories; Protein - 26 grams; Fat - 4 grams; Sodium - 577 milligrams; Cholesterol - 77 milligrams; Saturated Fat - 2 grams; Carbohydrates - 9 grams; Fiber - 1 gram

Recipe(s) and photo(s) courtesy of National Pork Board. For these recipe’s nutrition facts and for more information about Pork. The Other White Meat, visit the Web site, www.TheOtherWhiteMeat.com.

May/June 2007 • Pig Tales

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Pork Producer hosts Ag Day for Students More than forty second graders from Elk County spent the day at Mike and Peggy Bellar’s farm, in Howard, on Wednesday, April 18.

Participating schools included Severy Grade School, Moline Elementary, Elk Valley Grade School, and Friends Grade School.

The Elk County Farm Bureau and West Elk FFA organized the day’s events and stations.

“This is the fifth year we’ve organized an Ag Day on the Farm.

This is the second time the Bellars have hosted the event,” Polly Juaire, County Coordinator, said.

Students arrived at Bellars around 9 a.m. and rotated among 14 stations. Some of the stations included the following: swine, cattle, goats, horses, wheat, wildlife, and ag machinery.

“We enjoy hosting these types of events. It is a great hands on way for kids to see what farm life is really all about. Their favorite thing to do is to hold the baby pigs and pet the smaller animals,” Peggy said.

“We were really impressed with the intelligent questions the kids asked. Even though we live in a very rural county, most of the kids are not from farms.” She continued.

The KPA supports Kansas Ag Days on the Farm by providing hand out materials to participating teachers and students. The KPA has sponsored items to the following counties: Geary, Elk, Rooks, Gove, Miami, Douglas, Cherokee, Brown, Shawnee, Dickinson.

Bellar’s son, Ben, also participated in the days events. The West Elk FFA Chapter, helped lead the groups around to the different stations.

The KPA also will continue to provide learning materials such as coloring books and bookmarks for upcoming county ag days or any similar events in Kansas communities. Those interested in utilizing any of these learning tools, please contact the KPA office.

Students were also fed lunch and then completed the afternoon with a nature walk in the prairie pasture.

(below) Members from the West Elk FFA Chapter talk with the kids about pigs such as what pigs eat, how fast they grow, and how much they weigh.

“This is a wonderful way for them to learn first hand about their community and how important agriculture is to them and to Kansas,” Peggy said.

On their way back to school, they received goody bags filled with different items from the different stations.

The Kansas Pork Association provided the students in attendance with pig erasers, bookmarks, and coloring books about pork production.

14 Pig Tales • May/June 2007

“The forth grade classes at Ellinwood Grade School would like to sincerely thank you for your contributinos to the Ag Day in Great Bend. The students learned a great deal through the tours, demonstrations and information provided at this event. Activities like this help to keep our youth interested and informed about today’s agriculture field. We couldn’t do it with out you. Thanks so much!” ~ Ellinwood 4th Grade School Teachers “Thank you for the work you did and the materials you provided for the class at Discovery Days. The class, “Go Hog Wild” went very well and many youth said it was their favorite class. Your support of the 4-H program and youth is greatly appreciated. Thanks again.” ~ Joe Leibbrandt, Logan County Extension Agent

New youth education materials available The National Pork Board is proud to present “Pack a Powerful Punch with Protein,” an educational program developed for 7th and 8th grade Family and Consumer Science classrooms. (above top) Ben Bellar, member of the West Elk FFA Chapter talk with the kids about machinery used on the farm. (above middle) Students were able to pet the baby pigs at the end of the presentation.

“A Day on the Farm was a GREAT SUCCESS! The stations were a great learning experience for the students and adults attending. Thanks so much for the KPA’s donation of pamphlets and classroom materials for the students and teachers.” ~ The Pottawatomie County Farm Bureau Board “On behalf of the Happy Days Preschool students, teachers, and Board of Directors, we would like to extend a great big thank you for the fun infomation and goodies you supplied for our “Farm Day.” ~ Jill Williams, President

The program contains a DVD with four short chapters, focusing on the function and importance of protein, food safety and meat handling, fun food lab ideas with kidfriendly pork recipes and more. The program also includes a CD component that contains learning activities, games and quizzes that correspond to the DVD chapters.

Included with the program is a “how to” guide designed to assist teachers to integrate the “Pack a Powerful Punch with Protein” content into their current curriculum.

This is the first time in several years that National Pork Board has produced an educational program geared toward this older age group.

These materials are also outlined on the Internet. Visit: www.pork4kids.com/teachers.aspx for more information.

“Thank you for your continued support of the Slice of Ag program. The videos, recipes, and coloring books help reinforce what the students learn at the Field Day learning stations. Thanks for helping us tell the story of ag to 800+ students.” ~ Slice of Ag Committee, Douglas County May/June 2007 • Pig Tales

15

K-State Connection DETERMINING THE ACCURACY OF GESTATION FEED DROPS

J.D. Schneider, M.D. Tokach, S.S. Dritz, R.D. Goodband, J.L. Nelssen and J.M. DeRouchey

Summary

An experiment was conducted to determine the accuracy of three different gestation feed drops. Each drop was tested at three different angles (90, 75, 60°) from the feed line. Feed was collected and weighed at feeder settings of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 lb for the Econo-Drop and Accu-Drop Feed Dispensers. Samples were taken at 2, 4, 6, and 8 lb for the Ultra-Drop Feed Dispenser due to a smaller storage capacity for feed. There were five replications (five drops of each type) at each feed setting. There was a drop type by angle interaction (P < 0.01) for the feed dispenser setting versus the actual pounds of feed dropped. At an angle of 90 and 60 degrees the Accu-Drop and the Ultra-Drop Feed Dispenser more (P < 0.10) accurately dropped the correct amount of feed at the respective feeder settings. The amount of feed dropped at each dispenser setting was influenced more greatly by angle to the feed line with the Econo-Drop than the Accu-Drop or UltraDrop Feed Dispenser. This study demonstrated that the AccuDrop and the Ultra-Drop Feed Dispenser are more accurate than the Econo-Drop Feed Dispenser. Therefore, producers should consider the additional feed cost over the lifetime of the feed drops and not rely solely on initial price. Producers with EconoDrop Feed Dispensers should maintain all drops in the barn at the same angle relative to the feed line and measure the amount of feed dropped at each setting on a few drops to allow feed levels to be adjusted.

Introduction The use of individual gestation stalls or crates in environmentally controlled barns has generally become the accepted standard method for sow management. Housing sows in stalls producers have a direct control over the intake of sows and ultimately the overall composition and growth of the animal. Individual feed drops are used to provide a set amount of feed to each individual animal. These feed drops are made by several manufacturers and come in several types; however, information on the accuracy of individual feed drops has not been published. As a further complication to the question of accuracy of feed drops, the drops are installed and intended to be used when perpendicular (90° angle) to the feed line. Either during installation or after years of use, many drops are at angles of less than 90° from the feed line which may influence their accuracy.

Testing of different types of feed drops may help producers decide on equipment decisions for their facilities. Thus, the objective of this experiment is to determine the accuracy of different individual drop feeders when they were fitted at angles of 90, 75, and 60°.

Procedures This experiment was conducted at the Kansas State University Swine Research and Teaching Center. The experimental diet was a corn-soybean meal diet. All feed dispensers were purchased 16 Pig Tales • May/June 2007

from Automated Production Systems and attached to a 2 in. feed line. The feed drops used in this experiment were the UltraDrop Feed Dispenser, the Econo-Drop Feed Dispenser, and the Accu-Drop Feed Dispenser (Figure 1). The feed dispensers were adjusted to the specific test angles by using a Johnson Magnetic Angle Locator. Feed was collected and weighed at feeder settings of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 lb for the Econo-Drop and Accu-Drop Feed Dispensers. Samples were taken at 2, 4, 6, and 8 lb for the Ultra-Drop Feed Dispenser due to a smaller storage capacity for feed. Samples were weighed on a scale that allowed for an accurate measurement to one hundredth of a pound.

Results and Discussion There was a feed drop type * angle * lb interaction (P < 0.01; Table 1) for all the selected feeder settings. The Econo-Drop Feed Dispenser was the most impacted by the treatment angles.

At an angle of 90°, the Econo-Drop consistently dropped more feed than the target setting. However, when set at an angle of 60°, the Econo-Drop dropped considerably less than the targeted feed weight. Thus, producers using this drop would have difficulty targeting Table 1. Weight difference of feed dropped versus actual feed drop settings. the correct feeding Weight difference of feed dropped versus actual feed drop settings. level unless all Feed Dispenser drops in the barn Econo-Drop Accu-Drop Ultra-Drop SE were at the exact 2 lb 90 0.50 0.20 0.30 0.05 same angle to the 75 0.12 0.30 0.16 0.05 feed line. On the 60 -0.47 -0.41 -0.22 0.05 Diff 90 to 60 0.96 0.61 0.52 0.17 other hand, the 4 lb Accu-Drop and the 90 1.00 0.16 0.76 0.10 75 -0.39 -0.03 0.59 0.10 Ultra Drop Feed 60 -1.60 -0.84 0.05 0.10 Dispenser more Diff 90 to 60 2.61 1.00 0.71 0.17 accurately measure 6lb 90 1.62 0.24 0.79 0.08 the exact amount of 75 -0.18 -0.03 0.52 0.08 feed. Furthermore, 60 -2.30 -0.62 -0.08 0.08 Diff 90 to 60 3.92 0.86 0.87 0.17 moving the Econo8 lb Drop from a 90 to 90 1.34 0.19 0.35 0.11 60° angle resulted 75 -0.28 0.09 0.22 0.11 60 -2.84 -0.55 -0.50 0.11 in a larger change Diff 90 to 60 4.19 0.74 0.86 0.17 in the amount of 10 lb 90 1.38 0.28 --0.12 feed dropped. For 75 0.49 0.20 --0.12 example, at the 8 60 -2.96 -0.66 --0.12 Diff 90 to 60 4.34x 0.94 --0.17 lb setting, moving Ultra-Drop Feed Dispenser was not measured at 10 lbs due to limited storage capacity. the dispensers from Type*Angle* feed level interaction (P <0.01).

Type*feed level interaction (P<0.01). a 90 to 60° degree Means in the row with different superscripts differ (P<0.10). angle resulted in an approximately 50% (4.2 lb) change in the amount of feed dropped with the EconoDrop Feed Dispenser. The same change in angle for the AccuDrop and the Ultra-Drop Feed Dispenser only resulted in an approximately 10% change (0.74 and 0.85 lb, respectively). a

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Pork producers planning to construct new sow barns or replace the feed delivery system in existing facilities should base their purchasing decisions based on accuracy of the feed dispensers, not on initial cost. In this study, we determined that the Accu-

For the Accu-Drop dispenser, feed volume is determined by the height setting for the plate within the cylinder. The volume that can enter the cylinder doesn’t change greatly as the angle to the feed line changes. One potential concern with this design is that if the plate doesn’t remain on a consistent plane with the feed settings on the cylinder, the drop may become more difficult to set. The volume entering the cylinder wouldn’t change if the plate was not flat; however, determining the exact setting would be more difficult. A simple and economic solution to this problem would be for the manufactures to print four equally spaced measuring labels on the sides of the cylinder.

Typically, producers may examine the initial cost of equipment when building or retrofitting a gestation facility to make their

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Figure 2. The actual amount of feed dispensed for each feeder setting among the respected angles tested for the Econo-Drop Feed Dispenser.

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Figure 3. The actual amount of feed dispensed for each feeder setting among the respected angles tested for the Accu-Drop Feed Dispenser.

Ultra-Drop Feed Dispenser 12 photo courtesy of Automated Production Systems

The improvement in accuracy is potentially related to how the individual dispensers are attached to the feed line. As shown in Figure 1, the Accu-Drop and Ultra-Drop Feed Dispensers are attached to the feed line along the entire top of the drop.

Conversely, the Econo-Drop is only attached in the center. The Econo-Drop and the Ultra-Drop Feed Dispenser are actually similar in shape and measuring system. Both feed dispensers are “box” shape and measure the amount of fill by use of a “ribbon” measuring system where the feed enters the dispenser through a chute and fills until the feed level reaches an adjustable “ribbon”. However, the box, and ultimately the feed delivery chute is turned 90° for the Ultra-Drop compared with the EconoDrop. Because of this, when the drop is rotated away from a perpendicular angle from the feed line, the feed flow is impacted more greatly with the Econo-Drop than the Ultra-Drop.

Econo-Drop Feed Dispenser 12

Amount dropped

The accuracy of different feed drop may have a large economic impact of gestating gilts and sows due to an over and under consumption of nutrients and the subsequent performance loss. As an example, a 550 lb sow has a maintenance requirement of approximately 4.5 lb if being fed our experimental diet. If an Econo feed drop was set at 6 lb to provide feed to this sow, it would then supply the sow with 7.5 or 5.8 lb per sow at an angle of 90 and 75° from the feed line, respectively. Thus, the feeding levels would be 3.0 and 1.3 lb of extra feed above maintenance requirements at the two angles. If the feed drops were set at a 60° angle the sow would receive 3.8 lb/d or 0.7 lb of feed less than the amount required for maintenance. If the feed drop remained on the same feed setting for the entire gestation period, the sow could be losing weight (60° angle) or gaining as much as 110 lb (90° angle) depending on the orientation of the feed drop to the feed line. Conversely, if the Accu feed drop was set at 6 lb to feed the same sow; she would receive 1.8, 1.5, and 0.9 lb of feed above maintenance when set at angles of 90, 75, and 60°, respectively. The amount of weight gain over a gestation period would be more consistent within a range of 33 to 62 lb.

to the pork industry

decision on feed drops. This trial has shown that the accuracy of the drops should also be considered. Consistently over- or under-feeding in gestation has been demonstrated to reduce sow productivity. A small increase in initial investment may greatly reduce feed cost or increase sow productivity over the lifespan of the equipment.

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Drop and the Ultra-Drop Feed Dispenser is more accurate than the Econo-Drop Feed Dispenser at a 90 degree angle.

Furthermore, as the feed dispenser become more skewed on the line the Accu-Drop and the Ultra-Drop Feed Dispenser will stay more accurate compared to the Econo-Drop Feed Dispenser.

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Figure 4. The actual amount of feed dispensed for each feeder setting among the respected angles tested for the Ultra-Drop Feed Dispenser.

May/June 2007 • Pig Tales

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The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) conducts public policy outreach on behalf of its 44 affiliated state association members enhancing opportunities for the success of U.S. pork producers and other industry stakeholders by establishing the U.S. pork industry as a consistent and responsible supplier of high quality pork to the domestic and world market.

The NPPC is primarily funded through the Strategic INvestment Program, a voluntary producer investment of $.10 per $100 of value that funds state and national public policy and regulatory programs on behalf of the U.S. pork producers.

NPPC Applauds Deal To Vote On Trade Agreements WASHINGTON, D.C., May 10, 2007 — The National Pork Producers Council today applauded the Bush administration, House Speaker Pelosi, D-Calif., and congressional leadership for reaching a bipartisan deal to move forward free trade agreements that will significantly increase exports of U.S. pork. The administration and the Congress agreed to add, through legally binding mechanisms, standards on labor and the environment to pending and future trade agreements.

The FTA deal paves the way for votes on bilateral free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, Peru and South Korea.

According to Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes, those trade pacts when fully implemented are estimated to increase U.S. live hog prices per hog by $1.63, 20 cents, 83 cents, and $10, respectively.

“We appreciate the hard work of USTR Ambassador Susan Schwab and Speaker Pelosi and other congressional leaders in unlocking the stalemate on trade,” said NPPC President Jill Appell, a pork producer from Altona, Ill. “NPPC is eager to see pork producers reap the benefits of these FTAs. We would like to see all four pending FTAs approved by Congress prior to the August recess.”

“Increasing export markets through international trade agreements is vital to the profitability of U.S. pork producers, and we will fight hard to get these pending FTAs approved,” Appell added.

Pork Producers, Not Animal-Rights Activists, Know Best Care For Pigs’ WellBeing WASHINGTON, D.C., May 8, 2007 — America’s pork producers recognize their moral obligation to provide for the 18 Pig Tales • May/June 2007

well-being of their animals, and they raise pigs in a humane, compassionate and socially responsible manner, the National Pork Producers Council today told a congressional subcommittee.

The U.S. pork industry has developed and implemented a number of programs to improve animal care and handling, including: the Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) food-safety program; the Swine Welfare Assurance Program, an educational and assessment program that looks at 10 specific areas of animal care; and the Trucker Quality Assurance program for those who handle or transport market hogs. Next month, the industry will roll out the PQA Plus program, which includes producer certification, on-farm assessments of well-being practices and independent, third-party audits.

“There was no pressure to implement these programs other than our belief in doing the right thing for our pigs,” Barb Determan, a pork producer from Early, Iowa, and past president of NPPC, told the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry. “I am proud to be part of an industry that ‘on its own’ has developed and implemented world-class programs that help pork producers raise and care for their animals in a humane, compassionate and socially responsible manner.”

NPPC told the panel that the nation’s 67,000 pork producers oppose bills that would dictate on-farm production practices, including outlawing individual housing for sows, or that ban products such as antibiotics that help producers care for their pigs.

“We do not believe Congress has the understanding or the expertise to decide which on-farm animal production practices are best for our animals,” Determan testified.

NPPC Details 2007 Farm Bill Conservation Needs WASHINGTON, D.C., April 20, 2007 — While in need of some reform, existing federal conservation-assistance programs should not be substantially ‘overhauled,’ the National Pork Producers Council today told a House subcommittee considering conservation issues that may be included in the 2007 Farm Bill.

NPPC called for a fairer share for pork producers of Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funds, which are used to help the agriculture industry meet environmental standards. From 2003 through 2005, pork producers received just 3 percent of about $1.26 billion of EQIP funds allocated to livestock producers. With a new federal water-quality rule for livestock operations set to take effect this summer, pork producers need more assistance.

NPPC also wants the EQIP funding level and the program’s limitation on how much a producer can receive in assistance ($450,000) to be maintained. It also supports continuing the program’s size-neutral orientation (large and small producers may receive EQIP funds), 60 percent allocation of funds to the livestock industry and use of funds for wildlife habitat.

For more information on the NPPC, visit www.nppc.org.

“Pork producers take a broad view of what it means to be environmentally responsible farmers and business people,” Doug Wolf, a pork producer from Lancaster, Wis., told the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research. “We have fully embraced the fact that our pork producing operations must protect and conserve the environment and the resources we use and affect.”

“We take this responsibility with the utmost seriousness and commitment,” added Wolf, a member of NPPC’s Environment Committee. “It was in this spirit that our producer members made a major commitment to the conservation title of the 2002 Farm Bill.”

In addition to changes in the EQIP program, NPPC said the Conservation Security and Conservation Reserve programs need some reforms. Both programs require farmers who participate in them to set aside lands that have significant environmental and conservation benefits. Among other changes, NPPC wants the CSP to be made simpler for farmers to understand and wants some acres now in the CRP to be allowed to go back into crop production to ease corn supply pressures created by the rise in ethanol production.

Pork Producers Lay Out Farm Bill Wants WASHINGTON, D.C., April 18, 2007 — The National Pork Producers Council today in congressional testimony told lawmakers what the country’s pork producers want and don’t want in the next Farm Bill.

Addressing pork industry issues it expects will be included in the 2007 Farm Bill, NPPC asked the Senate Agriculture Committee to: • Allow to expire the 51-cent per gallon ethanol blender’s tax credit and the 54-cent tariff on imported ethanol to help ease corn supply pressures that are growing because of the rapid rise in ethanol production.

• Dismantle regulatory hurdles to allow pork producers to incorporate conservation planning into their operations.

• Increase EQIP funding allocations to pork producers so that they can raise the level of their environmental performance and address critical conservation and environmental needs on their operations.

• Oppose a ban on non-ambulatory or fatigued hogs from entering the food supply.

• Oppose a ban on the use in livestock of certain antibiotics.

• Oppose a ban on the use of sow stalls on farms that produce food animals that are purchased by the federal government.

• Oppose efforts to eliminate or mandate livestock marketing or pricing mechanisms.

• Support increases in funding for the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program to boost pork exports.

• Pass trade agreements negotiated with Peru, Colombia, Panama, and South Korea and extend Trade Promotion Authority.

• Continue funding for government research related to the pork industry, including research on swine genetics, animal vaccines and animal productivity.

“As the next Farm Bill is written,” said NPPC Past-President Joy Philippi, a pork producer from Bruning, Neb., “we hope Congress will consider the needs of the nation’s pork producers.”

Pork Profits Belie Need For Market Structure Changes WASHINGTON, D.C., April 18, 2007 — “Is legislation that would limit [pork] producers’ market-access options a solution in search of a problem?” That’s the question the National Pork Producers Council asked yesterday of a congressional panel looking at how livestock are bought and sold.

There are several bills pending in Congress that could adversely affect pork producers’ ability to market their hogs, including a ban on meat packers using contract growers and a requirement that packers buy at least 25 percent of their pigs on the so-called spot market.

“Punitive actions against packers do not necessarily benefit pork producers in the long run unless the packers are clearly in the wrong,” NPPC past President Joy Philippi, a pork producer from Bruning, Neb., told the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry. “We have seen no evidence of this, and Congress must proceed with caution, weighing the costs and benefits of such important public-policy decisions.”

NPPC pointed out that while the structures of the U.S. pork industry and pork and hog markets have changed over the past 10 years, pork producers have enjoyed ‘unparalleled prosperity’ over the past three years, recording 35 consecutive months of profitability through December 2006 with an average profit of $22.17 per head over that period, according to data from Iowa State University.

It also said that significant taxpayer dollars have been invested in researching competition in the livestock markets but that USDA and the livestock industry have not had time to digest and consider any findings. NPPC urged lawmakers concerned about competition and concentration in the livestock industry to look at transactions rather structures to determine if markets are working.

A recent study of livestock markets conducted by USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration found that eliminating or mandating a particular marketing or pricing mechanism would make producers and consumers worse off.

“In the areas of competition and industry structure,” Philippi told the livestock subcommittee, “there are a number of pending proposals that will have an adverse impact on pork producers and will give little benefit to anyone.”

May/June 2007 • Pig Tales

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The National Pork Board has responsibility for research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold.

The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, education and technology, and swine health, pork quality and safety.

Rising to the Challenge of Rising Corn Prices From corn procurement to risk management, a recent online seminar is helping pork producers find proactive options to manage their cost of production, even in times of high corn prices.

The Minnesota Pork Board and University of Minnesota Extension teamed up to offer the free March 28th PorkCast online seminar “Rising to the Challenge of Rising Corn Prices: Proactive Options for the Pork Industry.” Participants throughout Minnesota and other states participated by attending one of 12 host sites or by logging onto their home computer.

“This was our first webcast seminar, and we received a very positive response,” says Trudy Wastweet, education director for the Minnesota Pork Board. “Participants liked the convenience and topic timeliness.”

A complete recording of the program, along with slides from individual presentations, are available free of charge at the University of Minnesota Swine Extension Web site at www. extension.umn.edu/swine. Specific topics and presenters include: • “Corn Procurement and Risk Management Strategies” by Brian Buhr, University of Minnesota agricultural economist • “Managing the Cost of Production” by Mark Whitney, University of Minnesota Extension swine specialist • “Evaluating Short and Long Term Business Goals” by Gary Thome, farm business management instructor, Riverland Community College The Minnesota Pork Board will be developing future PorkCast online seminars. If you’d like to receive notice of future webcasts, please send your name and email address to trudy@ mnpork.com.

Speak Up for Pork Through “Neighbor to Neighbor” Maybe an acquaintance caught you off guard when you were at church or the barbershop. Perhaps you thought you knew what to expect at a zoning meeting, but you weren’t ready for what awaited. If you’ve ever been asked a “nightmare question” about 20 Pig Tales • May/June 2007

the pork industry and odor, air quality, animal welfare, or a host of other hot issues, you know it can be tough to find the right answers.

“So many pork producers tell us they don’t want to be public speakers, but they do want to know how to respond when someone at the local coffee shop says, ‘Man, those hogs stink,’” says Ernie Barnes, director of industry services for the National Pork Board. “The Pork Checkoff created the Neighbor to Neighbor Program to help you share how pork producers are good citizens who do a good job.”

Neighbor to Neighbor, which is a condensed, modified, more interactive version of the Pork Checkoff’s popular Operation Main Street (OMS) program, covers the basics in less than a day, from current industry issues to answers for those nightmare questions.

The program offers tremendous value, says Melissa Rowe, director of human resources for Wisconsin-based Hanor USA, whose management team has completed Neighbor to Neighbor training. By the end of April 2007, more than half of Hanor’s total employee population across seven states (including Illinois, North Carolina and Oklahoma) will also be trained through Neighbor to Neighbor.

“We are committed to promoting a positive presence in our communities. We also want to ensure all of our team members are very comfortable speaking about the industry and addressing the public’s concerns with a favorable outcome.”

Training offers a practical approach Neighbor to Neighbor, which was piloted in the fall of 2006 and launched in 2007, has proven popular. While program leaders set a goal of training a couple hundred people during the year, more than 120 people had already completed the program by early March, and demand for Neighbor to Neighbor continues to grow.

“We offer private, one-on-one sessions whenever it’s convenient for participants,” Barnes adds.

A Neighbor to Neighbor training session includes: • An update on current pork industry issues. Topics can include the environment, antibiotic use and public health, animal welfare and more.

• An overview of what the public perceives about pork production.

• A review of local issues impacting the pork industry.

• Tips on how to answer nightmare questions.

“The program is suitable for everyone, from someone new to the industry (like myself) to someone who has been in the industry for years,” Rowe says. “The hands-on, practical approach with real situation simulations can help anyone overcome the initial shock of being faced with answering an uncomfortable question in front of a group of strangers and come away with some pride in how you handled yourself.”

For more information on the NPB, visit www.pork.org

Get involved Rowe, an OMS graduate, says Neighbor to Neighbor also offers a powerful way to spread the good word about the pork industry. “The more our message is consistent and favorable, the farther the pork industry’s positive influence can reach.”

Budwiser and Ribs: Chillin’ and Grillin’ this Memorial Day Pork Checkoff has partnered with Kroger Stores and Anheuser-Busch to cross-promote products in May. During May 6th through 28th, Consumers could purchase Moist and Tender Baby Back or Spare Ribs and a Bud Family 12 pack or larger and receive $2.00 off the rib purchase instantly at Kansas Kroger stores.

FRESH PORK AND KC MASTERPIECE BBQ TIE TOGETHER IN JUNE Pork Checkoff is also partnering with the Clorox Company’s KC Masterpiece BBQ sauces and marinades this June 10th through 23rd. Kroger customers can save $2 instantly when they purchase fresh pork and any KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce or marinade.

Point of sale materials for this promotion will be located in the meatcase that will carry the coupons for Dillons Stores in Kansas and Missouri.

Checkoff-Funded Study with Lean Pork Reveals Protein’s Power to Preserve Lean Body Mass during Weight Loss Reducing daily caloric intake is typically the first approach that dieters take to shed those unwanted pounds. However, a new study released today in the journal Obesity found that including protein from lean sources of pork in your diet could help you retain more lean body mass, which includes muscle, while losing weight.

The new Checkoff-funded research, conducted by Dr. Wayne Campbell, lead researcher at Purdue University’s Laboratory for Integrative Research in Nutrition, Fitness and Aging, and his colleagues evaluated the weight loss of 46 overweight or obese women who followed one of two reduced-calorie diets. One group ate a diet that included about 18 percent of their calories from protein. The other group ate a higher protein diet – about 30 percent of total calories from protein, including 6 ounces of lean pork on average per day.

“After 12 weeks, our study found that the group of women who followed a reduced-calorie eating plan while consuming a higher level of protein was more effective in maintaining lean body mass during weight loss compared to those who consumed the same amount of calories with less protein,” said Dr. Wayne

Campbell. In fact, the higher protein group retained nearly double the amount of lean body mass (losing just 3.3 pounds of lean mass) compared to the women on the normal protein diet (who lost 6.2 pounds of lean mass). Because muscle burns more calories, the finding is important in long-term weight control.

“In addition to helping preserve lean body mass during weight loss, consuming a higher-protein diet helped retain the women’s sense of satiety or fullness after meals. The women on the higher protein diet rated themselves more positively in terms of overall mood and feelings of pleasure during dieting,” said Campbell, “which could help dieters stay true to their weight loss plans longer.”

The researchers tracked the participants’ food intake, body weight and composition, and feelings of fullness throughout the study to compare the effect of the two different diets on these outcomes.

“While previous studies have evaluated the impact higherprotein diets have on a weight-loss program, this is the first study to use pork as the only source of meat,” said Mark Reding, a pork producer from Howardstown, Ky. and chair of the Pork Checkoff Nutrition Committee. “Pork gives consumers interested in weight control more options and adds variety and flavor.”

The study also concluded that a person’s weight before dieting might play a role in the amount of lean body tissue lost on higher- versus normal-protein diets. The preservation of lean body mass was more pronounced in the preobese women compared with the obese women. The pre-obese group lost 2.6 pounds of lean body mass compared to 6.4 pounds of lean body mass lost by the obese women.

“One of the biggest struggles I hear about with respect to dieting is the need for meal satisfaction. When individuals lack satiety or the feeling of fullness, more often then not they’ll feel deprived and overeat,” said Kathleen Zelman, registered dietitian spokesperson for the Pork Checkoff. “Eating a variety of lean protein foods can help dieters stay on track.”

Pork also packs a significant amount of nutrients in every lean portion. A 3-ounce serving of pork tenderloin is an “excellent” source of protein, thiamin, vitamin B6, phosphorus and niacin, and a “good” source of riboflavin, potassium and zinc, yet contributes only 6 percent of the calories in a 2,000 calorie diet.

“This is not the end. We’ll continue to look for ways to expand on this research and open more avenues for pork,” said Reding.

“Follow-up research will continue to help us prove to consumers, dietitians and the media community that we do have a good product, and this helps drive the demand for pork.”

May/June 2007 • Pig Tales 21

Animal well-being platform strengthens new PQA Plus program. ™

Scott Burroughs of Nebraska Pork Partners is excited about how the new PQA Plus program will help showcase the industry’s commitment to sound production practices and animal care and well-being

PQA Plus incorporates the animal well-being principles of the Swine Welfare Assurance Program with the Good Production Practices of PQA Level III.

A

n enthusiastic supporter of Pork Quality Assurance, producer Scott Burroughs nonetheless believed that the Pork Checkoff-funded program could benefit from a more comprehensive animal well-being component.

After all, even as PQA certification bolstered industry confidence in the high production standards of U.S. pork producers, activists have tried to undermine public perception of the industry.

The new Pork Checkoff program, PQA Plus™, reinforces the quality production standards in the original PQA. It also incorporates thirdparty verification that helps assure producers’ commitment to animal care and well-being.

Burroughs, the chief operating officer of Nebraska Pork Partners, said his company eagerly participated in tests of PQA Plus.

“I’ve always been a big supporter of the original PQA,” Burroughs says.

“But if it had a weak spot, it was the lack of detail in animal well-being practices and third-party verification.

PQA Plus offers what we need to ensure we produce wholesome, safe food in a way that is conscious of the well-being of animals.”

22 Pig Tales • May/June 2007

©2007 National Pork Board [29365 pk 5/07-AdvertSprd-]

“It is important for the U.S. pork industry to be proactive in a variety of hot-button issues,” says Dr. Anna Butters-Johnson, an Iowa State University assistant professor and animal care expert. “Swine wellbeing, food safety and the use of antibiotics are all such areas.

PQA Plus provides producers, veterinarians and advisors the most up-to-date scientific information in those areas.”

PQA Plus comprises 10 Good Production Practices to which producers should adhere under guidance from specially trained advisors. Assessments will educate rather than penalize producers, enabling them to refine their operations. Then, an auditing component will lend further credibility to them touting their strengths to their customers, says Butters-Johnson.

Dr. Tom Wetzell, a Wells, Minnesota-based veterinarian, says it’s important to remember that swine care and well-being have always been top of mind with America’s pork producers.

“Producers and veterinarians have long tried to understand what is in the best interest of pigs,” says Wetzell. “But being able to demonstrate the measures we take to ensure well-being is even more significant today.”

And, Wetzell says, the program will work for producers small and large. “First, PQA Plus will give them peace of mind they are running their operations consistent with raising good quality pigs according to industry guidelines. Second, this is not a pass/fail assessment. It gives operators a chance to understand how they can improve and learn how they can be even more competitive.”

Burroughs says adhering to PQA Plus standards will allow the company’s farmers to proudly showcase their operations.

“PQA Plus is good for the industry in this political environment,” Burroughs says. It gives us a good story to tell that shows we are dedicated to treating our animals well.

But more important, it carries more weight because a third party is verifying it.”

A strong foundation for a stronger future.

That’s what PQA Plus™ is all about – securing a strong future by showing our commitment to pork quality and animal well-being. Built on the current PQA program, PQA Plus is an on-farm quality assurance program focusing on professionalism, social responsibility and high-quality production practices.

It’s an effective and responsible way to show your customers your personal dedication to providing the best.

To learn more about PQA Plus, your investment and how you benefit from Pork Checkoff programs, call 800-456-PORK (800-456-7675) or visit www.pork.org.

May/June 2007 • Pig Tales

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24 Pig Tales • May/June 2007