November 2012 - Iowa Pork Producers Association

www.iowapork.org 

The official publication of the Iowa Pork Producers Association 

Vol. 49 NO. 10-11 November 2012 

2012 Pork 

Industry 

Environmental 

Stewards 

Also inside: 

Swine Summary 

& Outlook 

2012 scholarship 

winners 

NOVEMBER 2012 

1

2 NOVEMBER 2012 

Full page ad

REVISE November Highlights 

04 2013 IPPA Annual Meeting Notice 

05 Randomly Speaking – A message from the president 

08 Iowa Meat Processors’ ham, bacon awards 

10 New CFI research approach results in increased support for 

modern farming 

11 Iowa’s oldest restaurant wins 2012 tenderloin contest 

12 Pork Board, NPPC respond to latest HSUS lawsuit 

13 Get Involved – Join an IPPA committee 

14 Hog Market Situation and Outlook 

About the Cover 

Learn more about the Ryan Reed family, 

Iowa’s latest winners of the Pork Industry 

Environmental Steward Award. The story can 

be found on page 18. 

16 Pork exports increase in August 

18 Ryan and Lana Reed: 2012 Pork Industry Environmental Stewards 

20 Employee compensation in pork production remains competitive 

22 2013 Iowa Pork Congress Preview 

24 EPA discusses aerial surveillance, composting in Arcadia 

26 Grain dust, Endotoxin and Aflatoxin - What are the health risks? 

Programs are made available to pork 

producers without regard to race, color, 

sex, religion or national origin. The Iowa 

Pork Producers Association is an equal 

opportunity employer. 

The Iowa Pork Producer is the official 

publication of the Iowa Pork Producers 

Association and sent standard mail from 

Des Moines, Iowa, to Iowa pork producers 

by the first week of the month of issue. The 

publisher cannot guarantee the correctness 

of all information or the absence of errors 

and omissions, nor be liable for content of 

advertisements. 

All Iowa Pork Producer inquiries should be 

directed to the Editor at: 

Iowa Pork Producers Association 

P.O. Box 71009 

Clive, IA 50325-0009 

Phone: (515) 225-7675 

Iowa Toll-free: (800) 372-7675 

FAX: (515) 225-0563 

e-mail: info@iowapork.org 

28 A listing of the 2013 Confinement Site Manure Applicator 

Workshops 

30 USDA finds new way to help reduce piglet mortality 

31 The 2012 Iowa Pork Foundation Scholarship recipients 

32 IPPA, IPSC Scholarship winners for 2012 

34 Interning on the Hill 

In Every Issue 

6 Pork Industry News and Updates 

35 All Around Iowa 

36 National Pork Producers Council News 

38 National Pork Board News 

40 Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers News 

41 Pork Recipes 

42 Producers’ Market 

NOVEMBER November 2012 

3

Notice of Annual Meeting 

The Iowa Pork Producers Association Annual Meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, 

2013, at the Veterans Memorial Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center. The meeting 

is open to all pork producers! Registration will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. 

IPPA is a grassroots organization with policy developed by the membership of the association. 

Delegates to the Annual Meeting in past years have requested submitted resolutions be 

distributed and mailed for consideration and review by local county organizations. 

The following is the process outlined by the delegates to the Annual Meeting. The resolution 

deadlines for the Annual Meeting are indicated below: 

Annual Meeting 

Resolutions: 

Any affiliated local 

organization, district 

meeting or member may 

submit a resolution for 

consideration at an Annual 

Meeting. 

Resolution type – 45-day 

Due December 8, 2012 

Resolutions that are 

submitted to the 

Association at least 45 

days before the Annual 

Meeting will be distributed 

to the delegates, along 

with the notice of the 

Annual Meeting. A 45-day 

resolution will become a 

statement of the delegate 

body if it receives a majority 

of the votes cast on the 

resolution at the Annual 

Meeting. 

Resolution type – 7-day 

Due January 15, 2013 

Resolutions submitted 

to the Association at 

least 7 days before the 

Annual Meeting will be 

distributed to the delegates 

at the beginning of the 

Annual Meeting. When a 

7-day resolution comes 

up before the agenda, 

a spokesperson for the 

resolution will make a oneminute 

statement for the 

reason for the resolution; 

then the delegates will vote 

on whether to consider the 

resolution. 

The resolution will 

be considered only 

if it receives 75% of 

the votes cast on the 

motion to consider. A 

7-day resolution that 

is considered by the 

delegate body will 

become a statement of 

the delegate body if it 

receives a majority of 

the votes cast on the 

resolution at the Annual 

Meeting. 

No other resolutions 

Delegates at the Annual 

Meeting cannot consider 

resolutions received by 

the Association less than 

7 days before the Annual 

Meeting. 

Advertisers 

The Iowa Pork Producers Association 

would like to thank our advertisers 

for supporting us. Be sure to keep 

them in mind as you plan your 

purchases throughout the year! 

Absolute Swine Insemination...................2 

Alltech....................................................21 

Boyce Livestock Co. LLC......................42 

Compart’s Boar Store............................42 

Elanco....................................................17 

Hog House Alarms................................43 

International Boar Semen......................42 

Katolight.................................................20 

Kerns Farms...........................................43 

Land O’Lakes...........................................9 

LSG Health Systems..............................43 

Marvin Wuebker.....................................43 

Pit Charger.............................................33 

PMT........................................................43 

Producers Livestock..............................43 

Stutsman................................................15 

Truline Genetics.....................................42 

Uddertech..............................................36 

Waldo Farms, Inc...................................42 

Whiteshire Hamroc................................43 

ZFI Swine Semen Services....................40 

2012 Board of Directors 

IPPA Staff 

Executive Committee 

President 

Bill Tentinger 

President-elect 

Greg Lear, Spencer 

Vice President of 

Operations 

David Struthers, Collins 


Resources 

Mark Meirick, Protivin 

Vice President of Market 

Development 

Mark Johnson, Leland 


Producer Services 

Jamie Schmidt, Garner 

Past President 

Leon Sheets, Ionia 

NPPC 

Howard Hill, Iowa Falls 

John Weber,Dysart 

National Pork Board 

Conley Nelson, Algona 

Derrick Sleezer, Cherokee 

Directors 

District 1 Joe Rotta, Merrill 

District 4 Al Wulfekuhle, Quasqueton 

District 5 Curtis Meier, Clarinda 

District 6 Gene Moody, Maxwell 

District 7 David Calderwood, Traer 

District 8 Heather Hora, Washington 

NW Region Marv Rietema, Sioux 

Center 

SE Region Joel Huber, Wellman 

NE Region Brenda Schmitt, Rudd 

Allied Ryan Bailey, State Center 

Stakeholder Craig Rowles, Carroll 

Ex-officio Directors 

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture 

The Honorable Bill Northey 

Iowa Department of Agriculture 

and Land Stewardship 

Harold Hommes 

Iowa Pork Industry Center 

Dr. John Mabry, Executive Director 

Iowa State University 

Dr. Maynard Hogberg 

Dr. Lisa Nolan 

Iowa Pork Youth Team 

Queen, Lindsay Reth, Manchester 

Princess, Sterling Schnepf, 

Granville 

Ambassador, Jacob Swanson, 

Ottumwa 

Directors 

Rich Degner, Executive 

Tyler Bettin, Producer Education 

Ron Birkenholz, Communications 

Doug Fricke, Trade Show 

Marketing 

Joyce Hoppes, Consumer 

Information 

Cody McKinley, Public Policy 

Kelly Sheets, Producer Outreach 

Kelsey Sutter, Marketing/Programs 

Jeff Vande Kieft , Accounting 

Assistants 

Sheryl Christensen, Administrative 

Lea Clemenson, Programs 

Mary Lea Hampton, Promotions 

Andrea Wright, Technical 

Magazine design and layout by 

Mindz Eye Design 

4 NOVEMBER 2012

Randomly Speaking – 

A message from the president 

Greetings, Fellow Pork Producers! 


IPPA President 

As I write this, most of the harvest has been wrapped up and a good share of 

the 2012 crop is in the bin. As I overheard one producer in Iowa say: “I can’t 

wait till Christmas because that means 2012 is about over.” Now that the crop 

is in the bin, we as end users have a better idea of what we have to work with. 

Of course there is always the uncertainty of the next government report. 

So far, this year has been a very trying one for most of agriculture and especially for pork producers. With 

the announcements from McDonald’s on the gestation stall issue early in the year and more retail and 

restaurant chains joining in by June, the industry thought it had about all it could take. 

Then came the drought market of 2012. As many producers watched their input costs climb day after day, 

it was apparent that the industry was in for more hard financial times. I and others in your association felt 

it necessary to make the effort to keep the world informed as to how serious the situation would be for 

our industry. We attended several drought related forums, news conferences and meetings across the state 

and answered many media requests — always trying to put a pork producer perspective on the issue in a 

professional manner. Sometimes those who live outside the pork producer world don’t understand how the 

markets react or the time frame an industry like ours needs to adjust. Patience sometimes pays off when 

dealing with a reporter who will put together a story that will be exposed to millions of consumers. 

As producers have watched margins continue to deteriorate, our “friends” at HSUS have kept up their efforts 

to make our lives harder by pressuring our harvest partners and customers to dictate to us how we should 

care for our livestock. It seems that animal care and handling will be an issue we talk about for some time to 

come. 

With all of the issues that face us today, it really drives home to me the importance of our Checkoff-funded 

organization and the need for the grassroots campaign and SIP. I ask that you get involved. 

As a producer and Iowa Pork Producers Association president, I sit back and consider all that we must deal 

with in our everyday lives and business and I think to myself: What a resilient bunch of friends I have in this 

industry. We will knuckle down, do what we need to do and go on. Keep your chin up, always do the right 

thing and be proud of what you do. We are feeding the world! 


IPPA President 


5

Pork Industry News and Updates 

Travel Channel selects 

Amana restaurant for ‘Pork 

Paradise’ segment 

In Iowa pork chop will be featured 

in an upcoming episode of “Pork 

Paradise” on the Travel Channel. 

that’s marinated in apple cider, soy 

sauce, honey, lemon juice, garlic 

and pepper then char-broiled. 

ISU College of Agriculture 

and Life Sciences reaches 

record enrollment 

Iowa State University College of 

Agriculture and Life Sciences 

undergraduate enrollment reached 

record numbers this year. 

At 3,900, this fall’s enrollment 

surpassed record enrollment set in 

1977, when 3,623 students enrolled. 

The number of new students entering 

the college between 2005 and 2012 

increased more than 46 percent. That’s 

double the percentage of new students 

entering other agricultural colleges in 

the United States. 

The Ox Yoke Inn’s Honey Apple Pork Chop. 

The Ox Yoke Inn in Amana was 

one of eight U.S. restaurants 

selected for the one-hour 

program scheduled to air in 

December, according to Ox Yoke 

owner Bill Leichsenring. 

The inn’s Honey Apple Pork Chop 

will be featured in a seven-minute 

segment of “Pork Paradise.” The 

featured chop is a 6 oz. center cut 

A production crew visited the 

Ox Yoke Inn this summer and 

interviewed and took footage of 

the chef preparing the pork chop, 

guests enjoying the entrée and the 

restaurant owners. 

The Ox Yoke, founded in 1940, 

offers seven different pork meals 

and serves more than seven tons of 

pork a year, Leichsenring said. 

The college’s placement rate for 

graduating seniors was 97.6 percent for 

graduates surveyed between the fall of 

2010 and summer of 2011. They were 

either employed, pursuing graduate 

degrees or serving in the military 

within six months after graduation. 

More than 70 percent of those 

graduates begin careers in Iowa. 

To fill the demand for graduates the 

college hosts two career fairs. The fall 

event is the largest agricultural career 

fair in the nation. 

Students have 25 majors to choose 

from including traditional majors in 

agronomy, animal science, animal 

ecology, horticulture and forestry. 


Iowa Concern hotline 

available 

Many pork producers are again 

facing economic challenges because 

of the lingering drought conditions. 

Tough times can cause any number 

of problems for farmers and it can be 

difficult to know who you can turn to 

for help. 

The Iowa State University Extension 

Service offers a free hot line that can 

put you in touch with any number of 

stress counselors and other resources. 

Whether you are facing financial 

issues, need legal counseling or are 

experiencing other personal problems, 

the Iowa Concern Hot Line is available 

to assist you. 

The hot line and toll-free number was 

created in 1985 and it serves all Iowans. 

By calling Iowa Concern, you have 

access to attorney’s for legal education, 

stress counselors and information 

and referral services for a wide range 

of topics. In addition, Iowa Concern 

maintains a web site that features an 

extensive Frequently Asked Questions 

database for legal, finance, crisis and 

disaster, and personal health issues. 

All Iowa Concern services are available 

24 hours a day, seven days a week, at no 

charge! 

Iowa Concern is ready to help at (800) 

447-1985. You also can access the web 

site at Iowa Concern. 

ISU student serving second 

Pork Congress internship 

An Iowa State University student who 

served as the Iowa Pork Congress intern 

in 2011 is back for a second stint in that 

capacity with the Iowa Pork Producers 

Association. 

Codie Johnson 

Codie Johnson is a senior at ISU and is 

nearing her degree in public service and 

administration in agriculture. While 

with IPPA, she will be directly involved 

in the planning and facilitation of Pork 

Congress, as well as other producer 

programs. 

Johnson’s internship will last through 

Pork Congress. She’ll earn a $4,000 

stipend as well as a $2,000 scholarship 

for her efforts. 

A Wellsburg native, Johnson’s family 

raises hogs, corn, soybeans and cattle. 

Machine 

Shed 

pork to be 

featured on 

Discovery 

Channel 

The Discovery 

Channel will air 

a program in 

late January or 

early February 

that features the 

pork served at 

the Machine Shed Restaurant in 

Urbandale. 

Chef and restaurateur Todd Fisher 

searches the country high and low 

for the best bacon, burgers and 

steaks in Destination America’s new 

series United States of Bacon! 

Taping took place at the Machine 

Shed Sept. 17 and Fisher, the show’s 

host, was on site to learn how 

Machine Shed Chef Tim Laielli 

makes the great pork features on the 

Machine Shed menu. 

Fisher also interviewed patrons 

about why they like the pork served 

at the Machine Shed. Several Iowa 

Pork Producers Association staff 

members attended the taping to talk 

about pork’s great attributes and also 

could appear on the show. 

Tenderloin at the Machine Shed 


7

Iowa Meat Processors’ ham, bacon winners 

announced 

The Iowa Meat Processors Association has 

announced the winners of its annual cured meats 

competition held at the 2012 Iowa State Fair in Des 

Moines. 

The Grand Champion bone-in ham was entered 

by Kevin Hastings of Hastings Meat Processing in 

Bloomfield. He pocketed a check for $300 from the 

Iowa Pork Producers Association and a plaque. 

Bill Dayton of Dayton Meat Products in Malcom 

had the Reserve Grand Champion bone-in ham. He 

earned $150 and a plaque. 

In the bacon competition, Dave Burma, owner of the 

Corwith Locker, was named Grand Champion. He 

received $300 for his award-winning ham and a plaque. 

The Reserve Grand Champion Bacon was entered by 

Dayton and he picked up the $150 cash prize for that 

award. 

IPPA’s Scott Tapper presents a check to 

Kevin Hastings of Bloomfield for having the 

Grand Champion bone-in ham. 

The winning ham and bacon entries were displayed in 

the cooler of the Agriculture building until the final 

day of the fair, when they were auctioned off. The 

remaining product is donated to a local food bank. 

This year’s competition featured 10 ham and 17 bacon 

entries. The number of entries was down 10 from last 

year. 

All entries are judged on internal and external 

appearance, texture, flavor and aroma by a team of Iowa 

State University and University of Minnesota experts. 

IPPA has long supported the work of the IMPA and 

provides the prize money. IPPA Past-President Scott 

Tapper and his wife, Lisa, represented IPPA and 

helped with the contest. 

The IMPA is headquartered in Clarence and 

represents 84 lockers and meat processing companies 

in Iowa. 

Dave Burma of Corwith receives a check from 

IPPA’s Scott Tapper for having 

the Grand Champion bacon. 



9

New CFI research 

approach results in 

double digit increase in 

support for today’s food 

technology 

Consumer attitudes toward modern food production 

technologies can be significantly improved by 

providing information from credible sources that 

helps consumers understand the broader social 

benefits of today’s systems, according to new research 

from the Center for Food Integrity (CFI). 

A new approach tested in CFI’s 2012 Consumer 

Trust in the Food System study resulted in 

significant increases in support for certain modern 

farming technologies. 

An online survey of 2,001 people this summer 

measured attitudes toward five technologies 

commonly used in today’s farming systems. 

Attitudes were then re-measured after the 

participants were provided messages that detailed 

the environmental, social or animal well-being 

benefits from credible sources. 

The study showed double-digit increases in positive 

attitudes toward genetically modified crops, 

antibiotic use in meat animals and indoor food 

animal production. 

“This data gives us a better understanding of the 

kinds of messaging we can use to move the needle 

in a positive direction,” said Charlie Arnot, CEO 

at CFI. “This data shows us the things we can say 

to consumers that actually increase support for the 

kinds of production practices in place today on farms 

that allow us to produce more food using fewer 

resources. Our focus this year was finding compelling 

ways to convey that today’s food system is better 

aligned with mainstream values than many realize.” 

Some of the messages that were most effective in 

changing consumer attitudes would be considered 

basic information to those familiar with modern 

farming techniques. For example, informing survey 

participants that raising food animals indoors 

protects them from predators and bad weather 

resulted in a significant improvement in positive 

attitudes, as did messages that using GM seeds 

reduces the use of water, fuel and greenhouse gas 

emissions. 

“This might be painfully obvious to some,” said 

Arnot. “But, if we don’t talk about these positive 

attributes they may not be perceived as benefits by a 

public that is largely unfamiliar with agriculture.” 

CFI’s previous 5 years of research yielded significant 

insight into how to enhance consumer trust in today’s 

agriculture and food system. The organization’s peer 

reviewed and published trust model proves that 

shared values (and in turn, confidence) are three 

to five times more important than demonstrating 

technical competence in building trust. 

This year’s study is funded by the Foundation for 

Food Integrity, a non-profit foundation created to 

conduct research and provide educational outreach 

about today’s food system. 


Balltown restaurant rises from 

ashes to win tenderloin contest 

Iowa’s oldest restaurant and bar, destroyed by fire for a 

second time in 2008, has rebounded to win the Iowa 

Pork Producers Association’s 2012 tenderloin contest. 

Breitbach’s Country Dining in Balltown, a small 

community north of Dubuque, was named the winner 

of the 10th annual contest, which recognizes Iowa dining 

establishments that menu pork. The restaurant has been 

in business since 1852 and owned by the same family 

for the past 150 years. Mike Breitbach is the fourth 

generation to own and run the establishment and he 

and his wife, Cindy, were thrilled with the award and the 

surrounding publicity. 

“It means a lot because we’ve gone through a lot in the 

last five years,” Mike said. “We’ve had two fires and it 

means a lot for the local people and our help because we 

started on the bottom and we came back, not once, but 

twice. It’s a big thing.” 

IPPA has received an average of 300 nominations each 

year of the contest. This year, 993 nominations were 

submitted and 65 restaurants received the required three 

or more nominations. The tenderloins are judged on 

taste, appearance and physical characteristics. 

“The contest has been fantastic, relying on Iowa pork 

producers to make the public aware of a unique 

product,” said IPPA Restaurant and Foodservice 

Committee member Nelda Christian. “The committee 

thanks all the participants for making this competition a 

worthwhile project for 10 years.” 

Duane Cook of Holy Cross nominated Breitbach’s 

Country Dining and received $100 from IPPA. 

Breitbach’s sells as many as 200 of its thick, juicy and 

lightly breaded tenderloin sandwiches a week. 

“We use a certain kind of pork and a certain kind of 

breading and the spices in this we will not give away,” 

Breitbach said. 

Pork is a popular menu item at Breitbach’s — a pork 

schnitzel is served for its weekly German buffet — and 

Mike noted they sell a lot of pork during their buffets 

and from the menu besides the tenderloin. 

Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin 

As the contest winner, Breitbach’s received $500, a 

plaque and a banner from IPPA on Oct. 17. Mike then 

presented the $500, along with an additional $500, 

to Hospice of Dubuque, an important charity to the 

Breitbach family. 

Vinny’s BBQ in Dakota City received second place 

honors in this year’s contest and received $250 and a 

plaque. The Dog House in Pella, Kelly’s Country Oven 

in Monticello and Antler’s Pub & Grill in Clare each 

received honorable mention and a plaque. 

Cindy and Mike Breitbach (right) hold the first place 

plaque while Kelsey Sutter and Nelda Christian 

of IPPA display a contest banner. 


11

Pork Board, NPPC respond to HSUS lawsuit 

on sale of “The Other White Meat” slogan 

The Humane Society of the 

United States announced in a 

press release Sept. 24 that it had 

filed suit in federal district court 

challenging the National Pork 

Producers Council’s sale of “The 

Other White Meat” registered 

trademark to the National Pork 

Board. 

The actual target of the 

lawsuit is the U.S. secretary 

of agriculture and the U. S. 

Department of Agriculture, 

which approved the sale of the 

slogan and supervises the Pork 

Checkoff. 

“I find it unusual that HSUS is 

filing suit now over a decision 

that was made and approved 

more than six years ago,” said 

National Pork Board CEO Chris 

Novak. The lawsuit challenges 

the legitimate purchase of a 

valuable business asset, he said. 

The HSUS suit alleges that the 

Pork Board struck an “unlawful 

backroom deal” with NPPC. 

The plaintiffs, including an 

independent Missouri hog 

farmer, are asking the court 

to cancel what they call the 

unlawful purchase. HSUS 

says the complaint “does not 

challenge the constitutionality 

of the Checkoff program, but 

alleges a gross misuse of a 

massive amount of federallycompelled 

Checkoff payments 

funneled into lobbying 

purposes.” 

The HSUS release states that 

“records suggest that industry 

leaders were fully aware of the 

impropriety of the sale and 

deliberately worked to prevent 

public knowledge of it.” 

The National Pork Board 

purchased the trademark in 2006 

from NPPC, which created the 

trademark prior to the formation 

of the National Pork Board 

in 1986. The National Pork 

Board subsequently assumed all 

marketing responsibilities for 

pork. The sale price, agreed to by 

both boards and approved by the 

secretary of agriculture, was $35 

million. NPPC agreed to finance 

the payments over 20 years, 

making the payment $3 million 

annually. 

It appears there is no legal merit 

to this claim, and it is another 

desperate attempt by the radical 

activist group to severely curtail 

animal agriculture and take away 

consumer food choices, said 

NPPC CEO Neil Dierks. “This 

also is the latest bullying tactic 

by HSUS in its efforts to force 

NPPC to abandon its position 

on allowing farmers to choose 

production practices that are 

best for the welfare of their 

animals.” 

Even though the Pork Board has 

transitioned its advertising to 

another tagline, The Other White 

Meat continues to be used. 

Neil Dierks 

Chris Novak 


Committee flyer 


13

Hog Market Situation and Outlook 

Swine industry retracts in face of high feed prices 

By Lee Schulz, Extension livestock economist, Iowa State University 

For the past 

two years 

there has 

been enough 

modest 

profitability 

to entice 

a cautious 

and slow 

expansion of 

the nation’s 

swine 

industry. 

The 2012 

drought and 

resulting high 

cost of feed 

have changed 

that trend. 

Producers 

have scaled back their farrowing plans until the 

middle of next summer when a more abundant 

corn crop will hopefully make feed more affordable. 

The outlook for next three months is bearish with a 

record number of market hogs on track to come to 

market in the fourth quarter. 

USDA’s quarterly Hogs and Pigs report, released 

Sept. 28, contained few surprises relative to prereport 

expectations. One of the numbers of keen 

interest was the breeding herd inventory which 

was pegged at 5.8 million head. This was down 

0.3 percent from a year ago and down 1.3 percent 

from the last quarterly report. A question on many 

peoples minds was how the industry would be able 

to decrease the breeding herd enough consistent 

with what is going on in the feed markets. After all, 

sow slaughter for this past quarter was only slightly 

up from the previous year. Basically, the reduction 

came in the number of gilts being retained in 

the sow herd. Contraction within the industry 

is probably going to continue into the following 

quarter(s) as the industry continues to liquidate sows 

and also reduce the number of gilts retained in the herd. 

Lately there has been a tremendous increase in hog 

slaughter. Looking at the last seven weeks, hog slaughter 

has been 4.7 percent above year ago levels. The Hogs and 

Pigs report indicated that the heaviest class of market 

hog inventory was up 4.5 percent compared to a year 

ago and the next heaviest class was up only 0.6 percent. 

Furthermore, the Iowa/Minnesota live weight series 

for the week ending Sept. 15 was below year ago levels 

for the first time in 10 months, dating back to mid- 

November last year. These numbers indicate producers 

are responding to record high feed costs and a lot of red 

ink in feeding hogs and moving them off the farm and to 

packing plants sooner than normal. 

It is pretty obvious that the industry has gone into a 

significant contractionary mode as evidenced by the sows 

farrowing and farrowing intentions. Sows farrowing for 

June-August at 1.2 percent below a year ago, was not a 

major surprise given current conditions, but the September- 

November farrowing intentions at 2.7 percent below a year 

ago is radically below expectations. The decrease in sows 

farrowing is likely to hold as December 2012 -February 2013 

intentions are down 1.5 percent from the previous year. Pigs 

per litter, at 10.1 for June-August, was at a record high level. 

The industry is likely to see another upward surge in litter 

sizes in the next few quarters as there seems to be a lagged 

effect of a big surge in corn prices and its impact on the 

number of pigs per litter. A couple of things likely account 

for this; one, when producers liquidate their herds they 

are culling the least productive sows and two, husbandry 

becomes that much more critical when each animal accounts 

for so much more. 

Closer to home, Iowa inventory changes were a bit more 

intense. The breeding herd inventory was down 2.0 

percent with exactly 1 million head. The supply of hogs 

due to be marketed in September and October was up 

7.3 percent, and the supply of hogs for the fourth quarter 

was up 2.6 percent from last year. The average litter size 


during the last quarter was up 1.5 percent to 10.5 pigs 

per litter. Within Iowa, plans for and construction of new 

finishing facilities started in late spring and early summer, 

when things were still looking good for this year’s crop. 

While profitability for this year soured with the drought, 

those plans to build were already in motion. Expect 

the number of market hogs in the state to continue to 

increase for the next year, not because of profitability, but 

because Iowa still has a cost of production advantage and 

now has more room for the additional hogs. 

The price outlook for hogs is not great in comparison 

to the cost of production but it may not be as bearish 

as once predicted. During August and September, the 

lean hog price in Iowa declined continuously with a low 

of about $65/cwt occurring in mid-September. While 

the fourth quarter hog price is expected to 

be the lowest of the year, there is hope that 

supplies and prices will be consistent. The hog 

industry has a weekly slaughter capacity of 

about 2.4 million head. When that threshold 

is exceeded, hog prices tend to bottom out, as 

was seen during the middle of September. The 

ISU forecasting model suggests prices will be 

in the mid $70s for the remainder of 2012 

and in the upper $70s to low $80s for the first 

quarter of 2013. Forecasts for next spring 

and summer have hog prices back into the 

high $80s to low $90s as hog supplies level 

off from less sows farrowing and the general 

meat market heats up from lower meat 

supplies. 

For now the profitability outlook is still suffering 

from the stifling high cost of feed. Producers are 

hoping for a better corn crop next year. With 

commodity prices as high as they are, there will 

be plenty of incentive for crop producers to plant 

as many acres as possible, however, good growing 

conditions are a must. Adequate winter precipitation 

and ground moisture prior to planting are all 

precursors for the condition and size of the crop. 

This year livestock producers will be watching the 

weather as much or more than those who grow 

the corn, soybeans and hay. If conditions are not 

conducive to a good crop or if the drought pattern 

continues, swine producers will brace for continued 

high feed costs and plans for genuine expansion will 

be postponed. 


15

Pork exports increase in August 

Despite a continued slump in U.S. red meat export 

volume and a further dip in August sales, the value 

of pork exports for the first eight months of the year 

remained slightly ahead of 2011’s record-setting pace, 

according to statistics released Oct. 11 by USDA and 

compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. 

U.S. pork exports in August were down 6 percent in 

volume (175,310 metric tons) and 7 percent in value 

($495.5 million) compared to a year ago, but these 

totals were up 10 percent and 6 percent, respectively, 

from the previous month’s performance. 

Through the first eight months of the year, 

2012 pork exports were up 2 percent in 

volume (1.474 million metric tons) and 8 

percent in value ($4.13 billion) from last 

year’s record levels. 

for a wider variety of pork cuts, which has really 

enhanced our export value.” 

Pork exports to Japan had slowed during the early 

summer, but rebounded in August to post the 

highest volume since February at 39,689 metric tons 

(valued at $169.9 million). Through August, exports 

to Japan were down 6 percent in volume (307,442 

metric tons) but were 6 percent above last year’s 

record value pace at $1.34 billion. 

“We face a challenging business climate in 

several key markets, with rising production 

costs and slowing economic growth creating 

some anxiety among buyers,” said USMEF 

President and CEO Philip Seng. “We’re also 

seeing a surge in domestic meat supplies in 

some areas, particularly in South Korea.” 

Pork exports through August accounted for 

23.7 percent of muscle cut production and 

27 percent when including variety meats, compared 

to 22.8 percent and 27.3 percent in 2011. Export value 

averaged $56.51 per head slaughtered, up from last 

year’s $53.54 during the first eight months of the year. 

Mexico continues to be a top pork export market – 

with January-August volume (391,932 metric tons) 

increasing 14 percent and value ($727.2 million) up 

11 percent from a year ago. August exports were up 16 

percent in volume to 51,841 metric tons and 9 percent 

in value to $101.4 million. 

“Mexico’s meat processing sector is an outstanding 

customer for U.S. pork, but USMEF has also made 

considerable strides in building retail demand,” Seng 

said. “This has made Mexico an attractive destination 

While pork exports to the China/Hong Kong 

region were higher through August (+11 percent 

to 282,637 metric tons and +35 percent to $569.4 

million), they are not likely to match last year’s pace 

in coming months. For August only, exports to 

China/Hong Kong were down 31 percent in volume 

to 30,450 metric tons and 34 percent in value to 

$60.5 million. 

Exports to Canada, Central and South America and 

Russia have all increased January through August. 

Editor’s notes 

- Export statistics refer to both muscle cuts and variety meat unless 

otherwise noted 

- One metric ton = 2,204.622 pounds 



17

Ryan and Lana Reed: 2012 Pork Industry 

Environmental Stewards 

Reed Family Farms of Ottumwa 

is one of four hog operations 

nationally to be selected by the 

Pork Checkoff and its cosponsor, 

National Hog Farmer magazine, as 

2012 Pork Industry Environmental 

Stewards. 

The award, now in its 18th 

year, recognizes producers who 

demonstrate a firm commitment 

to safeguarding the environment 

and their local communities 

and Ryan and Lana Reed are 

the fourth Iowa recipients of the 

national award in the last four 

years. It’s the fifth time in the 

last six years that Iowa has had a 

winner. 

The Reeds manage a 4,800-head 

feeder-to-finish business on the 

family farm where Ryan was born 

and raised. They feed roughly 

12,000 hogs annually for Cargill 

Pork. Despite losing their home 

to fire in January, the family 

remains devoted to agriculture. 

The Reed’s three children signify 

the family’s sixth generation to 

farm in Wapello County. 

the local community about what we do 

and why we do it.” 

The family takes 

extra time and 

special care to 

keep the facilities 

and farm looking 

top notch. 

Custom barn 

quilts, custom 

play houses 

for the kids, 

well-manicured 

gardens and 

a 1,200-tree 

vegetative buffer 

greatly add to the 

farm’s aesthetics. 

The Reeds worked with the Coalition 

to Support Iowa’s Farmers’ Green 

Ryan and Lana Reed 

Farmstead Partner Program and 

their local Soil Conservation 

Agency to plant 

the buffer around 

the hog barns. 

The buffer is 

enrolled in the 

Conservation 

Reserve Program 

and it aids soil 

conservation 

while also 

providing a 

return in the 

form of CRP 

payments. The 

trees improve 

air quality 

surrounding the facility by reducing 

particulate matter and odor exiting 

the site. It also improves neighbor 

relations. 

“Environmental stewardship and 

neighbor relations are extremely 

high priorities for us at Reed 

Family Farms,” Ryan said. “To 

us, environmental stewardship 

means not only implementing 

conservation practices and being 

conscientious of our surroundings, 

but also taking the extra step to 

educate our peers, neighbors and 


The eight-foot deep pits 

under the barns hold 

more than a year’s worth 

of manure, allowing for 

optimum planning for 

manure application and 

nutrient utilization each 

fall. Pit additives are used 

to help control odors, break 

up manure crust and help 

control flies in and around 

the facility. 

Manure is tested for nutrient 

value each year and soil 

is tested every four years 

in accordance with Iowa 

regulations. A Manure 

Management Plan is filed 

with the Iowa Department of 

Natural Resources. Ryan is a 

certified commercial nutrient 

applicator and he works with 

neighbors who utilize the 

manure. Ryan also uses manure on 

270 acres of crop ground he owns. 

All mortalities are composted in a 

structure with concrete flooring, a 

roof and three compost bays. This 

greatly adds to biosecurity on the 

farm and saves on rendering or 

other mortality management costs. 

Ryan purchases wood chips for the 

compost facility and uses around 2.5 

semi loads annually. 

Reed conserves water and increases 

feed efficiency by using built-in 

soakers in the barns that aid in powerwashing, 

trough waterers and wet-dry 

feeders. He also has water flow meters 

on two water wells and both barns. He 

checks the meters each day to monitor 

the pig’s water consumption. 

Ryan is PQA Plus-certified and the 

site has completed a PQA Plus site 

assessment. He keeps substantial 

records, has a well-developed 

emergency action plan and strives 

to stay current on all PQA Plus 

requirements and other industry 

issues. 

The Reeds qualified for the national 

award by being named 2011 Iowa 

Pork Industry Environmental 

Stewards by the Iowa Pork Producers 

Association in January. They’ve also 

received numerous environmental 

awards from Cargill. 

The family feels strongly about 

leaving the farm in better condition 

than when they arrived to allow for 

future generations to continue the 

farming tradition. 

Hog farms in Pennsylvania, 

Oklahoma and Minnesota also 

earned this year’s award. The winners 

were selected by a panel represented 

by pork producers and 

environmental organizations. The 

committee reviewed applications 

from pork producers who are 

committed to upholding the 

ideal relationship between pork 

production and the environment. 

The applicants’ farms were 

evaluated on their manure 

management systems, water 

and soil conservation practices, 

odor-control strategies, farm 

aesthetics and neighbor relations, 

wildlife habitat promotion, 

innovative ideas used to protect 

the environment and an essay on 

environmental stewardship. 

The award recipients will receive 

the recognition of their peers at 

the 2013 National Pork Industry 

Forum next March in Orlando, Fla. 


19

Employee compensation in pork 

production remains competitive 

In an effort to highlight competitive salaries and 

benefits in the pork industry, the Pork Checkoff 

conducted a Compensation and Human Resource 

Practices Survey through AgCareers.com. During 

the fall of 2011, surveys were completed by a total 

of 214 producers, ranging from large to mid-sized 

operations. Survey respondents represent 46 percent 

of U.S. pork production. 

“Our goal was to not only show that jobs in the 

pork industry are competitive with those in other 

industries, but also to ensure people looking for work 

and students alike could consider a career in pork 

production,” shares Jim Lummus, producer learning 

and performance manager for the National Pork 

Board. “We want people to know that managers of pig 

farms can make $40,000 to $60,000 a year, plus they 

have all the advantages of living in rural communities.” 

Not only are wages competitive with other industries, 

benefits also were comparative with 62 percent of 

operations offering a bonus (incentive) plan for farm 

employees during the last three years and 71 percent 

offering medical coverage. Most operations award an 

average of 8.5 paid vacation days, five paid sick days 

and six paid holidays for all employee categories after 

one year of service. With these benefits, employees 

can easily consider a career in pork production. 

To view a copy of the summary or the complete report 

of the Employee Compensation 

in Pork Production handouts, 

visit pork.org/resources or call 

(800) 456-7675. 

For the purpose of the survey, the ‘large operations’ 

audience represents farms with 25,000 or more 

sows in production. Mid-size operations are defined 

as those operations with less than 25,000 sows in 

production or over 1,000 head finishing. 

After being surveyed on numerous topics including 

compensation, benefits, Human Resource 

management, recruiting, part-time staff and safety, 

several key findings stand out. For example, 51 percent 

of operations pay an hourly rate of $8.51-$10.50 for 

animal caretakers with no swine experience, and 21 

percent of operations pay an hourly rate of $12.51- 

$13.50 for animal caretakers with five or more years of 

experience. Each position, including those on the farm 

and in production support, was analyzed in detail. 

“The survey results provide a benchmark for producers 

to compare their employee wages and benefits,” adds 

Lummus. “This is a great opportunity to see how their 

farm compares with others in the industry, so they can 

retain employees and encourage youth and new hires 

to consider staying in pork production long-term.” 


SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER 2012 

21

2013 Iowa Pork Congress Preview 

Jan. 23-24, 2013 – Iowa Events Center, 

Downtown Des Moines 

The U.S. pork industry’s elite winter event has 

returned! The Iowa Pork Producers Association will 

host the 2013 Iowa Pork Congress Jan. 23-24 at 

the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines! Whether 

you are a pork producer, employee, allied-industry 

representative or just have a genuine passion for 

pork, you can benefit from attending this event. 

Pork Congress features the pork industry’s largest 

winter swine tradeshow with more than 300 

exhibitors, top-notch seminars, youth activities, 

social events and outstanding networking 

opportunities. Mark your calendars and join us at 

the 2013 Iowa Pork Congress! 

Tradeshow 

Wednesday, Jan. 23 – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Thursday, Jan. 24 – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

Hy-Vee Hall 

Producers and allied industry representatives travel 

from around the Midwest to see what the many 

Iowa Pork Congress exhibitors have to offer. The 

tradeshow floor will again be filled with nearly 500 

booths from 300 pork industry exhibitors! Check 

out the new technologies companies have released 

through the new product showcase and enjoy the 

many special networking activities at the 2013 

Iowa Pork Congress tradeshow! 

Keynote Presentation – “Transition Management in 

the Wild World of Global Economics” 

Dr. David Kohl, Virginia Tech 

Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2 p.m. 

Hy-Vee Hall, lower level 

Farm business transition 

management is one of the top three 

issues facing the global business 

community. Dr. Kohl will give a quick 

tour of the economics of the world 

and how it is influencing land values, 

commodities and input costs. He 

will discuss the key elements of 

preparing and grooming the younger generation for 

the business and elements needed to successfully 

transition the older generation out of the business 

while noting some of the common mistakes and 

solutions. Dr. Kohl has traveled 8 million miles to 

conduct more than 6,000 workshops, as well as 

written four books and more than 1,200 articles on 

ag-business topics throughout his career. With 

non-farm heirs and the changing demographics 

of the agricultural and rural community impacting 

business and lifestyle, you will not want to miss 

this keynote session at the 2013 Iowa Pork 

Congress. 

Training Sessions 

IPPA will host Pork Quality Assurance Plus ® 

(PQA Plus ® ) and Transport Quality Assurance ® 

(TQA) sessions on Wednesday, Jan. 23, during 

Pork Congress. Confinement site manure 

applicator certification also will be offered 

Thursday, Jan. 24. Contact Tyler Bettin at 

(800) 372-7675 or tbettin@iowapork.org for 

more information or to pre-register. 


2013 Iowa Pork Congress Seminars 

Hy-Vee Hall, lower level 

Wednesday, Jan. 23 

Regulations & Nuisance Case Update 

Eldon McAfee - Beving, Swanson & Forrest 

PRRS Control Measures 

Dr. Jim McKean – Iowa State University 

Dr. Cameron Schmitt – Pipestone Vet Clinic 

Evaluating Sow Housing Decisions 

Pork Industry Panel 

Show Me the Money: Economic Outlook 

Dr. Steve Meyer – Paragon Economics, Inc. 

Underwritten by National Hog Farmer 

Thursday, Jan. 24 

Progress on Pit Foam 

Dr. Charles Clanton – University of Minnesota 

Dr. Steve Hoff – Iowa State University 

Lauren Christian Endowed Lecture 

Part 1 - Reproductive management in swine: 

what’s best now, what’s coming in the future 

Dr. Billy Flowers – North Carolina State 

University 

Part 2 - Improving swine reproduction using 

cost-efficient technology 

Dr. Jason Ross – Iowa State University 

Dissecting D.C.: Pork Policy Update 

National Pork Producers Council 

Get more information at iowaporkcongress.org! 

4-H & FFA Swine Judging contest 

Thursday, Jan. 24 – Iowa State Fairgrounds, 

Pioneer Livestock Pavilion 

All Iowa 4-H and FFA members are invited to 

participate in Iowa’s fourth annual Swine Judging 

Contest at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The 

contest gives participants an opportunity to learn 

more about judging hogs, earn valuable college 

scholarships and visit the Iowa Pork Congress 

tradeshow. Contact Kelly Sheets today at 

(800) 372-7675 or ksheets@iowapork.org for 

more information or to register! 

Registration 

Register now for the 2013 Iowa Pork Congress. Visit 

iowaporkcongress.org or use the attached form. 

2013 Iowa Pork Congress 

Pre-registration Form 

This form must be completed and postmarked by 

Jan. 10, 2013. You also can register at 

www.iowaporkcongress.org. 

q IPPA Member (free admission) 

q Non-member ($5) 

The admission fee at the door is $10. 

Name:______________________________ 

Address:____________________________ 

City, State, Zip:_______________________ 

Phone:______________________________ 

E-mail address:_______________________ 

Are you a pork producer? q Yes q No 

If yes, which best describes your swine 

operation? 

q Farrow-to-finish 

q Production employee/Partner 

q Wean/Feeder-to-finish 

q Multiplier 

q Seedstock 

If no, what is your relationship to the pork 

industry? 

q Veterinarian 

q Educator 

Registration 

No. of people attending 

Pork Congress Banquet 

(Wed. Jan. 23, $32 per person) 

No. of Tickets:_____ 

TOTAL ENCLOSED 

q Allied Business 

q Other 

Total Cost 

$__________ 

$__________ 

$__________ 

Please make check payable to:Iowa Pork Congress 

Mail to: 

Iowa Pork Congress Registration 

PO Box 71009 • Clive, Iowa 50325-0009 


23

EPA discusses aerial surveillance, 

composting in Arcadia 

By Eldon McAfee, IPPA legal counsel 

Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 representatives 

held a meeting on Aug. 30, 2012, in Arcadia to discuss 

EPA’s livestock CAFO (concentrated animal feeding 

operations) inspection and enforcement program. 

The majority of the two-hour meeting covered EPA’s 

aerial surveillance of livestock operations and issues 

involving open feedlot CAFOs. During the discussion 

of EPA’s aerial surveillance, EPA noted that it also looks 

at confinement feeding operations for any runoff that 

would require an NPDES (National Pollution Discharge 

Elimination System) discharge permit. Following the 

NPPC vs. EPA court decision last March, EPA amended 

its rule to require an NPDES only when a discharge of 

manure or other pollutants to a water of the U.S. occurs. 

Because Iowa law requires confinement operations 

to contain all manure to manure storage structures, 

compliance with Iowa law should assure compliance 

with federal EPA requirements. 

EPA stated during the meeting that in doing aerial 

surveillance, it also looks at confinement operations for 

runoff, particularly runoff from any composting sites or 

feed storage areas. For swine confinement operations, 

feed storage areas are not usually an issue, but mortality 

composting can be if the runoff is not controlled. 

At the meeting, EPA first noted that composting areas 

are part of the production area under federal CAFO 

rules and, therefore, subject to EPA enforcement of 

NPDES discharge permit requirements. Under these 

requirements, there cannot be a discharge of pollutants 

from the production area to a water of the U.S. unless 

the operation has an NPDES permit under which the 

operation is designed, operated and maintained to 

contain all runoff resulting from a precipitation event 

not greater than a 25-year, 24-hour storm. 

However, like Iowa law requirements for manure, Iowa 

law prohibits discharges of compost leachate from a 

livestock composting site. In other words, a federal 

NPDES permit for a livestock operation that uses 

composting for livestock mortalities is not required 

since Iowa DNR rules prohibit the discharge of any 

compost leachate. 

Here is the complete list of Iowa DNR rules on 

composting of livestock mortalities: 

1. Compost leachate and runoff must be prevented 

from leaving the compost. Runoff from the 

composting facility must be properly managed. 

2. Operators of livestock mortality composting 

facilities are encouraged, but not required, to be 

trained, tested, and certified by a DNR–approved 

certification program, if the DNR approves such a 

program. 

3. Composting of livestock mortalities does not require 

a DNR composting permit unless the operator of 

the composting site is not an owner or operator of 

any of the production sites where the livestock were 

produced. 

4. Before beginning composting, the operator is 

encouraged, but not required, to notify the regional 

DNR field office. The DNR may provide general 

assistance, such as locating bulking agents and 

providing advice in regard to siting considerations 

such as pad location, sizing and design. 

5. Livestock that died from an infectious disease that 

can be spread by scavengers or insects or that died 

from a reportable disease must be disposed of in 

accordance with the requirements of the Iowa 

Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship 

and the DNR. 

6. Vehicles used to move livestock mortalities to a 

compost site must be constructed to prevent the 

release of mortality contaminated materials under 

normal operating conditions. The most direct haul 

route that avoids biosecurity risks must be used. 

7. The composting facility must be designed to 

accommodate at least the average annual death loss 

for all sites using it. Facility design must also take 

into account space requirements for managing raw 

materials (for example, additional bedding and 

bulking agents needed for mortality composting) 

and finished compost. 


8. Livestock mortalities from a catastrophic event, such 

as a fire or electrical outage, cannot be composted 

until the DNR field office is contacted and DNR 

approves of the method of treatment or disposal of 

the mortalities. The facility must contact the regional 

DNR field office as soon as possible after such a 

catastrophic event. 

9. Livestock mortalities must be incorporated into the 

composting process within 24 hours of death. An 

adequate base layer (from 12 to 24 inches thick, 

depending on the size and number of mortalities) 

with 6 to 12 inches of bulking agent between carcasses 

and an additional 12 inches of cover material shall 

be maintained around carcasses at all times to 

control leachate and odors and to prevent access by 

scavenging animals. 

10. Mortalities must not be removed from composting until 

all soft tissue is fully decomposed. 

11. Finished compost (including bones that have not fully 

decomposed) must be applied to cropland in a manner 

that minimizes the runoff into a water of the state. 

Finished compost cannot be applied to land other than 

cropland unless the DNR gives prior approval. 

12. The composting facility must be 500 feet from any 

existing inhabited residence, not including the residence 

of the person owning/operating the compost facility. 

13. Composting must be done outside of wetlands, at least 

200 feet from public wells, 100 feet from private wells, 

50 feet from property lines, and 100 feet from flowing 

or intermittent streams, lakes, or ponds. 

14. Composting done in a 100–year flood plain must be in 

accordance with all local and department regulations. 

15. Composting must be done in a manner that 

minimizes the formation of compost leachate by the 

facility. 

16. Runoff must be prevented from entering the compost. 

17. Compost facilities must be designed, constructed, and 

maintained to minimize ponding of water or liquids. 

Any ponding that does occur must be corrected 

through routine facility maintenance within 48 hours 

after the termination of the event causing the ponding. 

18. Composting must be done on an all–weather surface 

of compacted soil, compacted granular aggregates, 

asphalt, concrete or similar relatively impermeable 

material that will permit accessibility during periods 

of inclement weather and prevent contamination of 

surface water and groundwater. 

19. Solid waste which cannot be composted or which is 

removed during processing shall be properly disposed 

of. Infectious waste shall not be accepted for 

composting at any composting facility unless 

approved by the DNR in writing. 

20. Solid waste materials must be managed through 

the entire process in accordance with best 

management practices to minimize conditions 

such as odors, dust, noise, litter and vectors 

which may create nuisance conditions or a public 

health hazard. 

21. Finished compost cannot be stored for more than 

18 months. However, this 18–month period may 

be extended with prior written approval from the 

DNR. 

22. If compost is offered for sale as a soil conditioner 

or fertilizer, the compost must be registered by 

the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land 

Stewardship. Any sale shall be in compliance 

with all applicable federal and state laws and local 

ordinances and regulations. 

23. Compost cannot be land-applied, sold or given 

away unless the concentration of human–made 

inert materials such as glass, metal, and plastic is 

less than 1.5 percent by dry weight and unless the 

size of any human–made inert materials is less 

than 13 mm (0.512 inches). 


25

Grain dust, Endotoxin and Aflatoxin – 

What are the health risks? 

By Kelley J. Donham DVM, pioneer chair in Rural Health and Safety, director of Iowa’s Center for 

Agricultural Safety and Health 

By the time this article comes out, 

fall harvested corn and soybeans 

will be in storage. I do not have 

to remind anybody that this past 

growing season was one of the 

driest on record. Besides causing 

a lot of mental stress about low 

yields and cash flow, warnings 

of aflatoxin contamination were 

abound. When corn is stressed 

and the outer layer of the kernel 

(pericarp) is damaged, it allows 

a place for mold and bacteria to 

grow, increasing the concentration 

of endotoxin and other mycotoxins 

(e.g. aflatoxin) that might be in the 

product. 

I have three primary objectives 

in this article; 1) Review the facts 

that inhaled grain dusts in general 

(whether there is aflatoxin or 

not) have health consequences: 

2) Aflatoxin is an important 

toxic food contaminant primarily 

for livestock; and 3) Prevention 

includes avoiding inhalation 

of grain dusts at any point in 

handling the product from field to 

feed. 

Hazards of grain dust in 

general 

Grain dust always contains a 

potentially harmful contaminant 

called endotoxin (if inhaled). 

Endotoxin is a natural component of 

the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria 

(e.g. E. coli). When grain is handled, 

the dried bacteria break apart 

allowing for the endotoxin to become 

aerosolized and inhalable. 

Endotoxin is basically an 

inflammatory substance, 

causing inflammation on 

tissues where it lands. Workers 

exposed to grain dust have 

one or more of the following 

symptoms and conditions: 

• Mucus membrane irritation 

or MMI - Symptoms of 

MMI include watery, itchy 

or irritated eyes, feeling as if 

one has a cold that just won’t 

go away, and a sore throat 

(among other symptoms). 

• Bronchitis - Symptoms 

include coughing and 

spitting excessive phlegm. 


• Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome 

(ODTS) - ODTS consists of a 

group of symptoms following 

2–4 hours of an extra high 

level of grain dust exposure 

(especially if the grain is out 

of condition). The symptoms 

include feeling like they have 

the worst case of “flu” they 

have ever had, marked by 

headache, chest tightness, fever, 

muscle aches and pains, fatigue 

among other symptoms. 

Fifteen percent of grain producers 

and nearly 30 percent of pork 

producers experience one or more 

of the above conditions. The dust 

inside hog buildings is made up of 

grain dust (feed dust) and dried 

aerosolized swine manure, which 

often has a higher concentration of 

endotoxin than grain dust alone.. 

Aflatoxin does not cause any of the 

problems listed above. Aflatoxin 

is produced by several Aspergillus 

mold species. It is a toxin that is a 

known health hazard for animals 

consuming contaminated feed. 

In swine, young nursing pigs, 

or young weaned growing pigs 

are most susceptible to aflatoxin 

compared to older pigs. Sows 

ingesting aflatoxin-contaminated 

feed will pass that toxin in the 

milk to the nursing pigs. This toxin 

mainly affects the liver. It can cause 

variable signs from slow retarded 

growth to death. 

Regarding human health risks, 

there is no consistent information 

that producers inhaling grain 

dust contaminated with aflatoxin 

will have any extra adverse health 

effects beyond the effects from 

endotoxin. Human health effects 

from aflatoxin have been noted 

primarily in developing countries 

This flyer is available for on-farm display for your family or workers. 

in people who have consumed 

food products contaminated with 

aflatoxin over a long period of 

time. 

The take home message here is 

to limit inhaling grain dust – 

generally at any point from harvest 

to transport, storage, and feed 

grinding and mixing. The principle 

means of protection is to wear an 

N95 (meaning 95% efficient) dust 

mask when working around grain 

dust. These may be obtained from 

your local AgriSafe clinic (www. 

agrisafe.org/) or Gempler’s (www. 

gemplers.com/) or possibly from 

your local farm supply or hardware 

store. 

Got questions?? Additional 

information on grain dust or any 

agricultural health and safety 

question can be found at www. 

public-health.uiowa.edu/icash/ 

or www.public-health.uiowa.edu/ 

GPCAH/ or our Hot Line at (866) 

309-0839. Tell us the nature of your 

issue, and we will do our best to find 

the answer. 


27

2013 Confinement Site Manure Applicator 

Workshops 

Iowa law requires confinement site manure applicators 

to meet certification requirements for manure handling 

and land application. Certification requirements include 

attending two hours of annual training for each year of the 

three-year license or to take and pass a certification exam 

once every three years. Iowa State University Extension 

and Outreach provides the opportunity to attend annual 

training via a series of statewide workshops (listed below) 

or by watching the training DVDs or webcast during 

monthly scheduled dates and times. 

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach highly 

encourages all confinement site manure applicators to 

attend one of the workshops listed below or to consult their 

local county Extension office’s policy for “reshowing” these 

programs. There is no charge for attending the workshops 

or viewing the video on the scheduled reshow date and 

time. However, applicators requesting to view the training 

materials at non-scheduled times will be charged a fee. 

We encourage you to contact your county Extension 

office for exact workshop locations, dates and times or to 

determine meeting options in the event of bad weather. 

Registration is not required for these meetings, but you 

may wish to contact the Extension office to ensure there 

will be adequate space and training materials available. 

Please bring your certification card with you or be 

prepared to share your certification number so we may 

assist you with your paperwork. 

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, in 

cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural 

Resources and the Iowa Pork Producers Association, will 

offer a confinement site applicator workshop on Thursday, 

Jan. 24, 2013, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Iowa Pork 

Congress. More details will be made available in January. 

County Workshop Location telephone Date time 

Adair City Hall, Adair 641-743-8412 January 21, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Adams Corning Community Center 641-322-3184 January 10, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Allamakee County Extension Office in Waukon 563-568-6345 January 18, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Benton County Extension Office in Vinton 319-472-4739 January 31, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Black Hawk County Extension Office in Waterloo 319-234-6811 February 8, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Boone County Extension Office in Boone 515-432-3882 January 17, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Bremer Borlaug Learning Center, Nashua 319-882-4275 February 20, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Buchanan County Extension Office/Heartland Acres 319-334-7161 January 23, 2013 9:30 a.m. 

in Independence 

Buena Vista County Extension Office in Storm Lake 712-732-5056 January 18, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

AEA Office February 28, 2013 7:00 p.m. 

Butler Borlaug Learning Center, Nashua 319-267-2707 February 20, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Calhoun County Extension Office in Rockwell City 712-297-8611 February 4, 2013 9:30 a.m. 

Carroll County Extension Office in Carroll 712-792-2364 February 5, 2013 1:30 p.m. OR 7:00 p.m. 

Cedar County Extension Office in Tipton 563-886-6157 February 7, 2013 9:30 a.m. 

Cerro Gordo County Extension Office in Mason City 641-423-0844 February 18, 2013 7:00 p.m. 

Cherokee County Extension Office in Cherokee 712-225-6196 February 20, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Chickasaw Borlaug Learning Center, Nashua 641-394-2174 February 20, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Clay Spencer School Admin. Bldg. 712-262-2264 February 7, 2013 7:00 p.m. 

Clayton County Extension Office in Elkader 563-245-1451 January 28, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Clinton County Extension Office in DeWitt 563-659-5125 January 15, 2013 1:30 p.m. 


Dallas County Extension Office in Adel 515-993-4281 February 19, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Davis County Extension Office in Bloomfield 641-664-2730 January 22, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Delaware/Dubuque Tek Center@ FarmTek, Dyersville 563-927-4201 February 5, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Fayette County Extension Office in Fayette 563-425-3331 January 29, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Floyd Borlaug Learning Center, Nashua 641-228-1453 February 20, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Franklin Hampton State Bank, Hampton 641-456-4811 February 21, 2013 9:30 a.m. 

Grundy County Extension Office in Waterloo 319-824-6979 February 8, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Hamilton County Extension Office in Webster City 515-832-9597 February 6, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Hancock County Extension Office in Garner 641-923-2856 January 29, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Hardin County Extension Office in Iowa Falls 641-648-4850 January 16, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

February 20, 2013 7:00 p.m. 

Henry County Extension Office in Mt. Pleasant 319-385-8126 January 17, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Howard Library, Riceville 563-547-3001 January 17, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Ida County Extension Office in Ida Grove 712-364-3003 February 13, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Jackson County Extension Office in Clinton 563-652-4923 January 15, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Jasper County Extension Office in Newton 641-792-6433 February 20, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Jefferson County Extension Office in Fairfield 641-472-4166 February 14, 2013 9:30 a.m. 

Johnson County Extension Office in Iowa City 319-337-2145 February 5, 2013 9:30 a.m. 

Keokuk Expo Building, Keokuk Co. Fairgrounds 641-622-2680 January 17, 2013 9:30 a.m. 

Kossuth County Extension Office, Algona 515-295-2469 January 29, 2013 9:30 a.m. 

Lee County Extension Office, Donnellson 319-835-5116 February 14, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Louisa SE Research Farm at Crawfordsville 319-523-2371 February 5, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Lyon Forster Community Bldg., Rock Rapids 712-472-2576 January 31, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Mahaska County Extension Office in Oskaloosa 641-673-5841 February 7, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Marshall County Extension Office in Marshalltown 641-752-1551 February 12, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Mitchell Library, Riceville 641-732-5574 January 17, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Monona Western Iowa Research Farm at Castana 712-423-2175 February 22, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Muscatine County Extension Office in Muscatine 563-263-5701 February 7, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

O’Brien Northwest Community College, Bldg. C, Sheldon 712-957-5045 January 31, 2013 7:00 p.m. 

Osceola Wellness Center Multi Purpose Room, Sibley 712-754-3648 February 8, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Plymouth County Extension Office in Le Mars 712-546-7835 February 21, 2013 1:30 p.m. OR 

(Le Mars Convention Center) 

7:00 p.m. 

Pocahontas County Extension Office in Pocahontas 712-335-3103 February4, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Sac County Extension Office in Sac City 712-662-7131 February 25, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Scott County Extension Office in Bettendorf 563-359-7577 January 15, 2013 7:00 p.m. 

Shelby County Extension Office in Harlan 712-755-3104 January 29, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Sioux County Extension Office in Orange City 712-737-4230 January 22, 2013 9:30 a.m. OR 1:30 p.m. 

Story County Extension Office in Nevada 515-382-6551 January 15, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Tama County Extension Office in Toledo 641-484-2703 February 21, 2013 7:00 p.m. 

Washington County Extension Office in Washington 319-653-4811 February 12, 2013 7:00 p.m. 

Wayne Courthouse in Corydon 641-872-1755 January 28, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Webster County Extension Office in Fort Dodge 515-576-2119 February 6, 2013 7:00 p.m. 

Winneshiek County Extension Office in Waukon 563-382-2949 January 18, 2013 1:30 p.m. 

Worth County Extension Office in Mason City 641-324-1531 February 18, 2013 7:00 p.m. 


29

USDA finds new way to help reduce piglet 

mortality 

To help increase the survival of newborn piglets, U.S. 

Department of Agriculture scientists have developed 

a new method that predicts animals’ mortality and 

nursing ability. 

Physiologist Jeffrey Vallet and his colleagues at the 

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Roman L. Hruska 

U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in 

Clay Center, Neb., call the measuring technique the 

“immunocrit,” which determines whether pre-weaning 

piglets receive adequate colostrum from the sow. ARS 

is USDA’s principal intramural scientific research 

agency, and this research supports the USDA priority of 

promoting international food security. 

The new technique, which also works with cattle, can be 

used by swine producers to test management practices 

such as split suckling, according to Vallet. A laborintensive 

method, split suckling is designed to improve 

colostrum intake for piglets born last by giving them 

uninhibited access to the sow. Using the immunocrit, 

blood samples can be taken 24 hours after the split 

suckling procedure to determine if colostrum intake has 

increased in these piglets. 

Pre-weaning mortality costs the U.S. swine industry an 

estimated $1.6 billion each year, and one of the 

contributing factors is deficient colostrum intake by 

piglets. The colostrum produced by a sow after giving 

birth contains antibodies, which help build immunity 

against bacteria, viruses and other foreign elements. 

Piglets that fail to nurse and receive enough colostrum 

from their mother within the first 24 hours after birth 

usually die. 

The immunocrit measures newborn piglet 

serum immunoglobulin in blood samples. These 

measurements indicate piglets’ mortality and nursing 

ability, according to Vallet. Immunocrit results also 

show that the average measurement of piglets in a litter 

reflects the sow’s ability to produce colostrum. 

In addition, scientists have found a connection between 

immunocrit measurements, piglets’ weight and mortality. 

Pigs that weighed more were more likely to survive the 

challenge of not getting colostrum within the critical 

timeframe, as opposed to those that weighed less. 

Because test results are obtained so quickly, it is possible 

to identify compromised piglets while they’re still alive, 

according to Vallet. The immunocrit recognizes piglets 

within a litter that have not eaten or had the chance to 

nurse. This provides an opportunity to save at-risk 

piglets by using intervention strategies. 

Physiologist Jeffrey Vallet collects a blood sample 

from a day-old piglet. The sample will be used to run 

a new immunoglobulin immunocrit technique that will 

tell whether the piglet received sufficient 

colostrum from its mother. 


2012 Iowa Pork Foundation 

scholarship winners 

The Iowa Pork Foundation recently awarded 2012 scholarships to 10 new or returning students at Iowa colleges and 

universities. 

A total of 62 applications were submitted for the new or returning student scholarships this year. The recipients 

include nine students at Iowa State University and a Hawkeye Community College student. One of the scholarships 

was a graduate fellowship awarded to an ISU graduate student. The rest went to undergraduates who are studying 

animal science, ag business or ag education. 

The following returning students were 

awarded $1,000 scholarships: 

These new students were 

awarded $1,000 scholarships: 

The following 

returning student 

received a $2,500 

ag communications/ 

journalism 

scholarship: 

Jordan Bjustrom 

Clarksville 

Hawkeye CC 

Animal Science 

Derek Brown 

New Providence 



Lauren Houska 

Sac City 


Ag Education 

Emily Klootwyk 

Knoxville 



Jordann Wenzel 

Latimer 


Ag Ed/Animal Science 

Chelsey Branderhorst 

Prairie City 



Mathew Romoser 

Keota 



Nathan Ohms 

Harlan 


Ag Business 

Clayton Robison 

Winfield 



This Ph. D. 

candidate received 

a $2,500 graduate 

fellowship: 

The foundation awards scholarships to students who focus their studies on the swine industry and 

are interested in pursuing careers in pork production after graduation as a way of ensuring the 

development of the next generation of industry leaders. 

Applications for 2013 scholarships are currently available at iowapork.org under the Iowa Youth 

Pork Team link. 

Caitlyn E.G.H. Abell 

Ames 


Animal Breeding/ 

Genetics/Statistics 


31

The 2012 IPPA and IPSC 

Scholarship recipients 

The Iowa Pork Producers Association and the Iowa Purebred Swine Council support the Iowa Foundation for 

Agricultural Advancement by annually funding and presenting scholarships to outstanding youth involved in the 

swine industry. The IFAA is a non-profit organization founded in 1988 and comprised of livestock enthusiasts 

dedicated to encouraging 4-H and FFA members to pursue ag-related careers. IFAA is responsible for the annual Iowa 

State Fair Sale of Champions and the Winner’s Circle Scholarship and Awards program. 

Here are the 2012 IPPA and IPSC scholarship recipients! 

Iowa Pork Producers 

Association Scholarship 

Winners 

Celsey Moody – Nevada, IA 

$1,000 scholarship 

Parents: David and Alice Moody 

Celsey has been active in both 

4-H and FFA, exhibiting swine 

and cattle and participating in 

livestock judging contests. She 

has served as president of her 4-H 

club and secretary of her FFA 

chapter and been rewarded for 

her dedication and hard work. 

Celsey once received the Spirit of 

the Fair Award, as well as the FFA 

Star Green Hand Award and Iowa 

Farmers Degree. She was a winner 

of the Overall Project Achievement 

Award in swine. Moody has 

helped the Iowa Pork Producers 

Association by volunteering to 

work at the Iowa Pork Tent and the 

Animal Learning Center during the 

Iowa State Fair. “With my livestock 

projects I have 

learned to 

stick through 

the roughest 

moments and 

to never give 

up, which I 

truly do feel 

will help me 

in college and 

in my future 

endeavors,” she 

said. Moody 

is a freshman 

at Iowa State 

University and 

is majoring 

in animal 

science/prevet 

medicine. 

Her goal is to work as a small- and 

large-animal veterinarian and 

continue to raise livestock. 

IPPA President Bill Tentinger is flanked by 2012 IPPA Scholarship 

winners Sterling Schnepf (left) and Celsey Moody. 

Sterling Schnepf – Granville, IA 


Parents: Richard and Sharon 

Schnepf 

Sterling became interested in the 

pork industry at an early age while 

growing up on her family’s hog 

farm. She spent time in the barn 

working with pigs before and after 

school each day and it didn’t take 

long for her to become the “pig 

girl” in the family. She is currently 

pursuing an animal science degree 

at Iowa State University and wants 

to work in the pork industry after 

graduation. “I want to be a part 

of an industry that provides the 

safest high quality, most consistent 

meat produced to the world 

today.” Schnepf said. She is an 

active member of the ISU Block 

and Bridle Swine Interest Group. 

Schnepf has gained additional 

practical swine experience by 

working part-time in the swine 

diagnostic lab at Boehringer 

Ingelheim Vetmedica and being 

selected for a Swine Production 

Immersive Knowledge Experience 

internship with Audubon Manning 

Veterinary Clinic. Sterling also has 

served as Iowa Pork Princess this 

year for IPPA. 


Iowa Purebred Swine 

Council Scholarship 

Recipients 

Drew Geurink – Walcott, IA 


Parents: Russell and Lisa Geurink 

2012 IPSC Scholarship winner Drew Geurink (left) with 

Kelly Sheets, IPPA producer outreach director. 

Brittany Jurgemeyer was not present. 

Geurink has been an active 4-H and 

FFA member helping with many 

volunteer and community service 

projects and serving as president of 

his 4-H club. He has been raising 

and showing swine, including 

purebred Yorkshires, for eight years. 

His home-raised pigs have helped 

him earn numerous championships 

and several showmanship awards 

at both the county and state levels. 

Drew also has shown cow/calf and 

breeding heifer 

projects very 

successfully. 

“Working with 

my animal 

projects, 

although 

sometimes 

strenuous, 

has shown 

me that if you 

work hard at 

something 

you will be 

rewarded 

down the road; 

whether it is an 

award, profit 

or just the pleasure of knowing you 

raised an animal from start to finish 

and allowed it to live a healthy life,” 

Geurink said. He will attend Iowa 

Central Community College and 

major in agriculture business. He 

hopes to someday return to the family 

farm. 

Brittany Jurgemeyer – 

Rockwell, IA 


Parents: William and Karon 

Jurgemeyer 

Jurgemeyer remembers following 

her father around, asking questions 

and doing what she could to help 

with the pigs since she was very 

young. She has exhibited pigs at 

the North Iowa and Iowa State 

fairs. “Agriculture is my passion,” 

Jurgemeyer said. “I want to go 

back to serve the swine industry 

by working in education and/ 

or communications. I believe 

all agriculture is very important 

and that very message should be 

communicated to others.” Brittany 

is currently a senior at Iowa State 

University, where she is majoring in 

public service and administration 

in agriculture. Jurgemeyer was 

the North Central State FFA vice 

president and a national FFA 

Collegiate Agriculture ambassador. 

She has served as secretary of 

the AG Business Club and peer 

mentor and president of the Public 

Service and Administration Club. 

She is a member of the NAMA 

Marketing team. Jurgemeyer also 

has participated in international 

programs in the U.S. Virgin Islands 

and Uganda. 


33

Interning on the Hill 

By Stephanie Carlson, 2012 IPPA legislative intern 

I got the chance to work for 

six weeks this summer in Iowa 

Sen. Charles Grassley’s office in 

Washington, D.C. I was able to 

work with agriculture policy and 

research while also interacting 

with constituents on a daily 

basis. The Farm Bill was by far 

the coolest thing that I was able 

to actively help with and watch 

move through the legislative 

process. My role was to organize 

an amendment table as each of 

the nearly 300 amendments to 

the bill were filed by senators. 

This helped the staff make 

recommendations to the 

senator. The interaction between 

the staff and other offices truly gave 

me a better understanding of how 

Congress works. Seeing the Senate 

pass the 2012 Farm Bill gave me a 

feeling of accomplishment. 

Iowans are nice people and some 

of the kindest citizens. Every day 

there are many, many visitors to our 

nation’s capital. Sen. Grassley takes 

pride in being from Iowa and loves 

it when Iowans visit Washington. I 

had the privilege of taking a group 

of Iowans on 

a tour of the 

U.S. Capitol 

almost every 

day. It was 

often the 

highlight of 

my day when 

I got to talk 

to such nice, 

friendly and down-to-earth people. 

The Capitol is so full of rich history 

and pretty neat to imagine all of the 

famous people who’ve walked those 

halls. 

“This internship has been 

invaluable. The people I have 

met and the connections made 

will certainly help me as 

I pursue a career 

in the swine industry.“ 

the sights, attended Washington 

Nationals games, or tried out the 

local restaurants, there was always 

something exciting to do. One of my 

neatest experiences was attending the 

Fourth of July festivities. I attended 

the parade, saw the Declaration of 

Independence and Constitution 

and watched the fireworks to cap off 

America’s birthday. I have nothing but 

fond memories from my time spent in 

Washington, D.C. 

Iowa is a great place to call home and 

it felt good to be back. The last six 

weeks of the summer I spent working 

at IPPA gearing up for the Pork Tent 

at the Iowa State Fair. My duties 

included lining up the Honorary 

Chefs, working with the radio and 

social media promotions, as well as the 

county and committee volunteers to 

make the Pork Tent run successfully. 

This internship has been invaluable. 

The people I 

have met and the 

connections made 

will certainly help 

me as I pursue 

a career in the 

swine industry. 

I am passionate 

about production 

agriculture and 

find myself 

interested in how government can 

affect our livelihoods. I’m a senior this 

fall at Iowa State University finishing 

my animal science degree. 

Stephanie Carlson 

In my free time, I enjoyed 

exploring the city and socializing 

with other interns from across 

the country. Whether we saw 

Being a part of Sen. Grassley’s office 

was a great opportunity for me and 

I will be forever grateful for the 

experience I had as an intern on the 

Hill. 


All Around 

Iowa 

One of the reasons the Iowa pork industry is 

so successful is because of the promotional 

work done by many of the county pork producer 

groups throughout the year. Here is a 

summary of what the county groups 

have been doing to promote pork 

and the pork industry. 

Scott County 

Various local events were held in the Quad Cities area this summer and the 

Scott County Pork Producers helped talk about pigs and promote pork at 

several of the events. 

Plymouth County 

Suzy VenHorst talks about pigs 

with Davenport pre-schoolers. 

Dawood Ghauri (left) and Pork 

Ambassador Josh Friedrich 

helped with the 

Farm Crawl grilling. 

Bob VenHorst (middle in 

white cap) and Redeemer 

Lutheran Church members 

grill for Rally Day. 

Suzy VenHorst held an Ag in the 

Classroom session for a pre-school class 

in Davenport in early July. She talked to 

the 20 youngsters about pigs – what they 

eat, breeds and more - and gave small 

gifts to each student and provided pork 

production information to the pre-school 

staff. 

Scott Co. producers helped with the 

Iowa Quad City Rotary and Scott Co. 

Family YMCA Ribs for Kids fundraiser 

by organizing and holding a pork trivia 

game and handing out recipe booklets and 

cooking temperature information. Prizes 

were awarded to trivia contest winners. 

In August, Scott Co. President Rod Dietz 

introduced children to pigs at the Antique 

Tractor show and Farmer Appreciation 

event. Dietz provided piglets for the event’s 

farm animal petting area and talked about 

how pigs are raised. 

The North Scott Farm Crawl was held 

Sept. 9 and local hog farmers grilled 

butterfly chops at the Pride of the Wapsi, 

one of the farms participating in the event. 

The Redeemer Lutheran Church in 

Bettendorf held its Rally Day Sept. 9 and 

again, the Scott Co. Pork Producers were 

present. Bob VenHorst helped grill pork 

for the event. 

The county fair was held in late July 

and Plymouth Co. producers were 

kept busy throughout the five-day 

event. The county handed out 600 

hot dogs at the hog show and 

producers again ran a successful 

Grandstand Pork concession. Several 

representatives participated in the 

Pride of Iowa contest. 

We always welcome receiving 

information and photos of 

your events and activities. All 

digital photo files need to be 

at least 750 kb! You can send 

information to the editor at: 

Iowa Pork Producers 

Association 

Attn: Ron Birkenholz 

1636 N.W. 114th Street 

Clive, Iowa 50325 

E-mail: info@iowapork.org 

Phone: (800) 372-7675 


35

News from the 

National Pork Producers Council 

Dierks statement on latest 

HSUS ‘bullying tactic’ 

NPPC issued the following statement 

on Sept. 24 from CEO Neil Dierks in 

response to news that the Humane 

Society of the United States had 

filed a lawsuit challenging the sale of 

“The Other White Meat” registered 

trademark. 

“NPPC is reviewing the HSUS 

complaint, but it appears there is 

no legal merit to this claim, and it 

is another desperate attempt by the 

radical activist group to severely 

curtail animal agriculture and take 

away consumer food choices. What 

does merit concern, however, is 

the fact that HSUS preys on the 

emotions of domestic pet owners 

with deceptive advertising and 

fundraising. It raises money on 

images of abused puppies without 

homes, yet virtually none of those 

funds go to local shelters. Instead 

those dollars go toward multimillion 

dollar campaigns to attack family 

farmers and American meat 

production. 

“This also is the latest bullying tactic 

by HSUS in its efforts to force NPPC 

to abandon its position on allowing 

farmers to choose production 

practices that are best for the welfare 

of their animals. Over the past few 

months, HSUS has threatened NPPC 

with a Federal Trade Commission 

complaint; filed notice of its intent 

to sue a number of hog operations 

over alleged emissions reporting 

violations; and charged that NPPC 

was responsible for the deaths of hogs 

in barn fires because the organization 

asked to give input on national fire 

standards for agricultural facilities. 

All of the allegations lack merit.” 

Farm Bill on hold until after 

election 

Congress went into recess in late 

September without passing either 

a new five-year Farm Bill or an 

extension of the current bill, which 

expired Sept. 30. 

The House Agriculture Committee in 

mid-July approved a five-year Farm 

Bill; the Senate passed its 2012 Farm 

Bill in early July. 

The U.S. pork industry supports a 

new five-year bill, and NPPC will 

continue working with lawmakers 

to pass a bill when Congress is 

back for the lame duck session in 

November. House Speaker John 

Boehner, R-Ohio, said lawmakers 

will “deal with the Farm Bill after 

the election.” 

Canada, Mexico ask for 

WTO binding arbitration 

for MCOOL 

Canada and Mexico has asked for 

World Trade Organization (WTO) 

binding arbitration to determine 

a timeframe for the United States 

to implement the WTO Dispute 

Settlement ruling against its law 

requiring pork and beef to be 

labeled with the country of origin. 

In June, the WTO Appellate Body 

upheld a previous WTO dispute 

settlement panel ruling that the 

U.S. Mandatory Country-of- 

Origin Labeling (MCOOL) law 

violates U.S. trade obligations 

under the WTO Agreement on 

Technical Barriers to Trade. The 

U.S. risks retaliation from Canada 

and Mexico, both of which filed 

complaints with the WTO over 

the U.S. labeling law, if it refuses to 

comply with the MCOOL ruling. 

In 2011, Mexico and Canada were 

the 2nd and 4th largest export 

markets, by value, for U.S. pork, 

with exports totaling $1.04 billion 

and $736 million, respectively. 


NPPC participates in U. of Minnesota 

swine conference 

NPPC chief veterinarian Liz Wagstrom spoke on the 

challenges of antibiotic use in animal agriculture — 

including legislative, legal, regulatory and marketplace 

— at the University of Minnesota Allen D. Leman 

Swine Conference on Sept. 15. 

The annual conference is internationally known for 

developing science-based solutions to the intricate 

challenges facing the swine industry. Hundreds 

of international participants attended the St. Paul 

conference. 

NPPC applauds issuance of wholesale 

pork reporting rule 

The National Pork Producers Council applauded 

the Aug. 22 release of a final rule implementing the 

wholesale pork reporting provision of the federal 

mandatory price reporting law. The law requires meat 

packers to report price data to the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service. 

NPPC worked to get the reporting provision included 

in legislation that reauthorized in September 2010 the 

Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act and helped 

develop the regulation as part of a negotiated 

rulemaking process. 

The rule outlines what information packers will be 

required to submit to AMS, how the information 

should be submitted and other requirements. Packers 

will be required to submit the price of each sale, 

quantity and other characteristics, such as the type of 

sale, item description and destination of the product. 

AMS will use the data to produce timely, meaningful 

market reports. 

“America’s pork producers are grateful for USDA’s 

cooperation in helping develop this valuable tool 

for pork producers since it is becoming increasingly 

common to sell hogs based on the cutout price,” said 

NPPC President R.C. Hunt, a pork producer from 

Wilson, N.C. “This important addition to the price 

reporting law allows for a more competitive market 

and will provide greater transparency in the livestock 

market.” 

Your participation in the Strategic 

Investment Program allows the 

National Pork Producers Council and 

state organizations to enhance and defend your opportunities to 

compete at home and abroad. 

Negotiate for fair trade (import/export) 

Fight for reasonable legislation 

Fight for reasonable regulation 

Inform and educate legislators 

Provide producers direct access to lawmakers 

Proactive issues management with media 

Secure and guide industry research funding 

Enhance domestic and global demand 

Provide producer information and education 

Strategic 

Investment 

Program 

Mandatory 

Pork 

Checkoff 

Funding $0.10/$100 $0.40/$100 

Your voluntary investment is NPPC’s primary source of funding; 

Checkoff dollars cannot be used for public policy funding. 

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. 

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 U.S. 

pork producers. 

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

NOVEMBER MaY 2012 

37

News from the 

National Pork Board 

Producers, workers advised to get flu 

vaccination 

The Pork Checkoff again recommends producers, farm 

personnel and others who have contact with pigs get 

the seasonal flu vaccination as soon as possible to help 

protect human and pig health. 

“It’s always a smart decision for producers and swine 

farm workers to reduce the risk of getting sick and 

bringing the flu to the farm or workplace by getting 

vaccinated,” said Jennifer Koeman, director of producer 

and public health for the Pork Checkoff. “It also shows 

the industry’s ‘We Care’ ethical principle is in action to 

help protect employees, animals and public health.” 

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services, all people over the age of 6 months of age 

should be immunized for influenza each year. 

“People may remain contagious for up to five to seven 

days after getting sick,” Koeman said. “That’s why it’s 

so crucial that employers have a sick-leave policy that 

encourages those experiencing symptoms of influenzalike 

illness to stay home.” 

At the farm level, good building ventilation and good 

hygiene can help reduce transmission of flu viruses. 

“To prevent pigs and humans from other species’ 

influenza viruses, producers also should look at birdproofing 

their buildings, protecting feed from birds and 

enforcing biosecurity practices, such as the use of farmspecific 

clothing and footwear,” Koeman said. 

According to Lisa Becton, Pork Checkoff ’s director 

of swine health information and research, “It’s very 

important to monitor your herd’s health daily and 

contact your herd veterinarian if influenza is suspected. 

Rapid detection of influenza can help producers and 

their veterinarians implement appropriate strategies to 

better manage sick pigs.” 

Additional general flu-related information can be 

found at www.cdc.gov/flu. The Pork Checkoff also has 

information and resources on flu at www.pork.org/flu. 

Response to HSUS lawsuit 

The following statement from CEO Chris Novak was 

released Sept. 24 in response to the Humane Society of 

the United States’ lawsuit challenging the sale of “The 

Other White Meat” registered trademark. 

The lawsuit filed Monday by the Humane Society of the 

United States against the U.S. secretary of agriculture 

and the U.S. Department of Agriculture over the 

purchase by the National Pork Board of “The Other 

White Meat” registered trademark challenges the 


legitimate purchase of a valuable business asset, 

National Pork Board Chief Executive Officer Chris 

Novak said. 

“I find it unusual that HSUS is filing suit now over a 

decision that was made and approved more than six 

years ago,” Novak said. 

The board purchased the trademark in 2006 from 

the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), 

which created the trademark prior to the formation 

of the National Pork Board in 1986. The National 

Pork Board subsequently assumed all marketing 

responsibilities for pork. The sale price, agreed to 

by both boards and approved by the secretary of 

agriculture, was $35 million. NPPC agreed to finance 

the payments over 20 years, making the payment 

from the National Pork Board $3 million annually. 

“’The Other White Meat’ is an incredibly valuable 

asset, which is why the board in 2006 took steps 

to assure it would always be owned by pork 

producers,” Novak said. “In 2000, Northwestern 

University conducted a study that determined that 

The Other White Meat was one of the five most 

recognizable taglines in contemporary advertising. 

So it was important to producers that it be 

protected,” Novak added. 

And even though the board has transitioned 

its advertising to another tagline, Novak said, it 

continues to use The Other White Meat. It will be 

featured by the National Pork Board this month at 

meetings of the American Dietetic Association and 

with the National Pork Board’s Advisory Panel of 

Retail Dietitians. 

New Open House kits help producers 

share We Care SM message 

Planning to host an open house for your new hog 

facility? The Checkoff’s new We Care SM Open 

House Kits are designed to provide producers with 

the promotional tools necessary to gain media and 

community attention on the opening or redesign of 

their barns. 

“We have sponsored several open houses for new hog 

barns in Illinois and found them to be a very positive 

The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkofffunded 

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, technology, swine health, pork 

safety and environmental management. For information 

on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the 

Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675 or check 

the Internet at www.pork.org. 

experience,” said Tim Maiers, director of public 

relations for the Illinois Pork Producers Association. 

“An open house is an excellent opportunity to show 

the public what goes on behind the walls of the barn 

and to share the story of the farm family involved in 

the project,” Maiers said. “The kits provide producers 

with the tools and resources necessary to assist them 

in planning and implementing a successful event.” 

Compiled through a user-friendly CD, the kit 

includes newspaper advertisements, a sample 

agenda, sample press release and other tools to 

promote an open house. Each document highlights 

the We Care initiative, showing the public that pork 

producers are committed to doing the right thing. 

By promoting open house events for hog barns, 

producers can demonstrate their commitment to 

their communities while displaying the economic 

impact and value of the facility. 

To order a We Care Open House Kit, contact the 

Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675 

or visit porkstore.pork.org. For more information, 

contact Bryn Jensson at BJensson@pork.org or 

(515) 223-2752. Or contact Jordan Williams at 

JWilliams@pork.org or 

(515) 223-2641. 


39

Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers 

News and Notes 

Summer 2013 

internship offered 

The Coalition to Support Iowa’s 

Farmers is pleased to announce 

it is accepting applications for 

an internship position for the 

summer of 2013. 

The future of agriculture 

depends not only on the 

success of the livestock and 

poultry industries, but also 

the involvement of the next 

generation in the industry. 

That is why CSIF offers an 

internship - to encourage 

students to take an active 

role in assisting the livestock 

industry and gain the 

knowledge needed to lead the 

agriculture industry. 

The coalition intern will have 

responsibilities for numerous 

projects and communication 

efforts from May to August, 

to assist CSIF in achieving 

the mission “to advocate and 

help implement on-farm best 

management practices that 

assist Iowa’s farm families in 

raising livestock responsibly 

and successfully.” 

To apply, please submit 

a cover letter and resume 

by Dec. 1, 2012, to: 

Coalition to Support 

Iowa’s Farmers 

P.O. Box 9127 

Des Moines, IA 50306 

Applications also can be 

directed to Rita Cook at 

rcook@supportfarmers.com. 

For more information, 

visit supportfarmers.com. 

The Coalition to Support Iowa’s 

Farmers was created by farmers 

to help farmers raise livestock 

successfully and responsibly. It’s 

a joint partnership involving the 

Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa 

Corn Growers Association, Iowa 

Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa 

Pork Producers Association, Iowa 

Soybean Association, Iowa Turkey 

Federation and Midwest Dairy 

Association. 

The non-profit, non-partisan 

organization provides assistance 

to farmers at no cost. CSIF does 

not lobby or develop policy. Farm 

families wanting a helping hand 

can contact the coalition at 

(800) 932-2436 or visit 

supportfarmers.com. 

40 SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER 2012

Pork 

Recipes 

Oktoberfest Ribs 

Milwaukee Pork Stew 

2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, 

OR sirloin, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 

1/3 cup flour 

1 1/2 teaspoons salt 

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 

2 tablespoons vegetable oil 

4 large onions, peeled and sliced 

1/2-inch thick 

1 clove garlic, crushed 

1 teaspoon caraway seed 

1 bay leaf 

1 14 1/2-oz can chicken broth 

1 12-oz can beer 

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 

1 tablespoon brown sugar 

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped 

Nutrition Facts 

Calories: 280 calories 

Protein: 21 grams 

Fat: 15 grams 

Sodium: 720 milligrams 

Cholesterol: 70 milligrams 

Saturated Fat: 4 grams 

Carbohydrates: 11 grams 

n shallow bowl toss together flour, salt and pepper. Dust 

pork cubes with seasoned flour. Heat oil in deep skillet or 

Dutch oven over medium high heat; brown pork cubes 

slowly, about 10-15 minutes, turning to brown evenly. Add 

onions and garlic; cook and stir 5 minutes, until onion is 

limp. Stir in caraway seed, bay leaf, chicken broth, beer, 

vinegar and brown sugar; bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover 

and simmer for 1 hour, until pork is very tender, stirring 

occasionally. Stir in parsley before serving. Serves 8 

2 pounds pork spareribs 

2 32-oz jars sauerkraut, rinsed 

and drained 

8 juniper berries 

2 large onions, peeled and thickly 

sliced 

2 tart green apples, cored and 

wedged 

1/4 cup brown sugar 

Evenly layer ingredients into a large 

stew pot or Dutch oven in this order: 

Sauerkraut, juniper berries, onion, 

apples, brown sugar and ribs. Bring 

to a boil, lower heat, cover and 

simmer gently for 2-3 hours, until 

ribs are very tender. Serves 6. 

Pork Roast Strata 

12 ounces cooked pork roast, 

shredded or cut into 1/2-inch dice 

(about 5 cups) 

Oil spray 

12 ounces crusty Italian bread, or 

French bread, with crusts, cut or torn 

into 3/4-inch pieces (about 12 cups) 

1 7-ounce can chopped green chiles 

4 ounces chevre, (spreadable goat 

cheese), crumbled (about 1 cup)* 

3 tablespoons sage, chopped 

7 large eggs 

3 cups milk, (low-fat is okay) 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1/2 teaspoon pepper 




Fat: 17 grams 


Cholesterol: 100 

milligrams 






Fat: 9 grams 


Cholesterol: 150 milligrams 



Spray a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking oil. Arrange 

1/2 of the bread in the dish. Top with 1/2 of the pork, 1/2 of 

the chiles, 1/2 of the cheese, and 1/2 of the sage. Repeat 1 

time, making 2 layers. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk the 

eggs. Whisk in the milk, salt, and pepper. Pour egg mixture 

over casserole and set aside for 20 minutes, pressing on the 

bread occasionally to help it absorb the liquid. Meanwhile, 

preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake until browned and 

the center is set, about 1 hour. Let stand 10 minutes before 

cutting and serving. Serves 12 *Note: Ideally, don’t use 

pre-crumbled cheese – it doesn’t melt as well. 


41

P R O D U C E R S ’ M A R K E T 

Place 

your ad 

here! 

ADVERTISING 

WORKS. 

THE 

IOWA PORK PRODUCER 

SELLS! 

Contact Doug Fricke for more 

information on how to reach 

Iowa’s pork producers. 

(800)372-7675 

dfricke@iowapork.org 

42 SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER 2012

P R O D U C E R S ’ M A R K E T 

SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER 2012 

43

Iowa Pork Producers Association 

P.O. Box 71009 

Clive, IA 50325-0009 

NON-PROFIT ORG. 

U.S. POSTAGE 

PAID 

DES MOINES, IA 

PERMIT NO. 1911

November 2012 - Iowa Pork Producers Association

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