Pork Congress 2012 - Iowa Pork Producers Association

Department of Labor has already said will be revised
to accommodate on-farm work by children. IPPA
and NPPC were directed to support parental rights
on determining work endeavors on farms that are
appropriate for children, as well as organizations and
programs that actively involve youth in agriculture.
Delegates from all eight IPPA districts attended
the meeting at the Des Moines Marriott and heard
various state and national reports and received
results of the 2011 IPPA Membership Survey. Iowa
Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds addressed the attendees,
Dr. Steve Meyer of Paragon Economics provided
an economic update and National Pork Board CEO
Chris Novak discussed the industry’s participation
in the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance and how
the alliance will promote agriculture. 2011 IPPA
President Leon Sheets of Ionia also presented the
“State of the Association” address.
regulate dust and other particulate matter, requiring
all CAFOs to register with the Environmental
Protection Agency and the new GIPSA rule were
among the issues.
“Rules provide structure that we all find comforting,
however we don’t need a rule for every possible
situation,” Sheets said. “More common sense and
fewer rules could better serve the citizens of the
United States.”
The meeting concluded with the honoring of several
retiring IPPA Board members and the passing of
the gavel from Sheets to 2012 IPPA President Bill
Tentinger of Le Mars.
Sheets discussed how increased revenues from
a strong hog market have allowed IPPA to
fund new research projects addressing manure
issues. “Additional research will be conducted
on the impact of manure application on ground
to be planted to soybeans,” he said. The Iowa
Environmental Protection Commission has focused
on the issue for several years and a final regulation
will be introduced to Iowa pork producers next year.
IPPA also is directing additional research funds
to the problem of manure foaming in pits under
hog buildings. “Iowa State University has agreed to
coordinate the effort, which will include universities
in neighboring states,” Sheets added.
Sheets addressed the alliance in his association
update. “Too many people in the U.S. are removed
from agriculture, so the organizations are investing
in the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance,” said
Sheets. “The alliance is viewed as a critical way for
all of U.S. agriculture to come together and tell a
positive story. People in the U.S. have lost touch with
agriculture and this is an opportunity to help them
connect.”
The industry was kept busy in 2011 responding to
proposed legislation and regulations that would
negatively impact pork producers. Proposals to
March 2012
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