Article By Cheryl Day
PORK — it’s a global business. No matter the size or location of your hog operation, the name of the game is to sell pounds of pork. The good news is the world loves pork. As the most consumed animal protein, people are selecting pork 40% of the time.
Currently, pork demand is good, with people worldwide buying it. However, poultry is closing the gap. As Steve Meyer of Kerns & Associates says, “Demand is always a risk, simply because it can be so fickle.”
Changes, especially in the export market, can happen on a dime.
Around the world, hog farmers are expanding their herds. More pigs globally, coupled with solid production performance in the United States, mean more product to sell — all while competitive meat and poultry are also expanding production.
Sow production is serious business around the globe, and National Hog Farmer recognizes its value to the global pork trade. Regardless of a hog’s producer’s location or production practice stile, the pork supply chain starts with the sow.
Pork producers make large investments in many facets of production, but the most significant foundational piece is the genetic package. The sow dictates not only the number of pigs, but more importantly, the quality of pigs as well.