More than 100 pork producers from across the country gathered to help guide the future of the industry during the National Pork Industry Forum, where discussions centered on improving swine health, enhancing pork quality, and strengthening the connection between producers and consumers.
The National Pork Board adjourned the annual forum last week in Kansas City after industry leaders approved two producer-developed advisements focused on pork quality and swine health. Delegates operating under the Pork Act also endorsed the Checkoff assessment rate, determined the return-to-state percentage, and recommended candidates for appointment to the National Pork Board to the U.S. secretary of agriculture.
During the meeting, National Pork Board President Gordon Spronk and CEO David Newman reaffirmed the industry’s commitment to the organization’s three-year strategic plan. The plan focuses on three primary priorities: driving long-term value for pork, strengthening the resilience of the U.S. pork industry through collaboration with state pork associations and producers, and improving the lives of both pigs and people.
Spronk encouraged producers to think beyond improvements made solely at the farm level and to place greater emphasis on understanding today’s consumers and their expectations when purchasing pork products.
“Over the past 40 years, as an industry, we’ve made great strides in productivity,” Spronk said. “But as we look toward the next 40 years, we must take up the challenge to think differently and act differently — ensuring we’re delivering pork in a way that consumers will purchase it loyally and repeatedly.”
Swine health also remained a central topic of discussion as producer leaders received an update on the National Swine Health Strategy. The strategy outlines industrywide priorities designed to address key health challenges facing pork producers.
According to the National Pork Board, 98 percent of producers who responded to the organization’s 2024 producer survey indicated that herd health is critical to the long-term success of the industry. The strategy’s primary goals include reducing the impact of domestic diseases while preventing foreign and emerging animal diseases from entering the United States.
“The National Swine Health Strategy is built on a robust set of insights, industrywide goals and priorities for producers as they work together to address top swine health challenges,” said Dr. Meredith Petersen, director of swine health for NPB. “Continued producer involvement is essential to the success of this strategy, and the producer discussions at Forum provided a strong foundation for the next steps in this process.”
The forum also provided an opportunity to recognize individuals whose careers have made lasting contributions to the pork industry.
Mike Tokach, Ph.D., and Lisa Tokach, DVM, received the National Pork Board Distinguished Service Award. Selected by past NPB presidents, the pair were honored for their combined 70 years of professional work in research, veterinary medicine, and industry advancement.
John Parker of Virginia received the Paulson-Whitmore State Executive Award, selected by past leaders of the National Pork Board and the National Pork Producers Council. Parker spent more than four decades serving the Virginia pork industry as executive director of the Virginia Pork Council and was recognized by peers and producers for his steady leadership and collaborative approach.
The next National Pork Industry Forum is scheduled for March 3–5, 2027, in Arlington, Texas.
