September 2012 - Iowa Pork Producers Association

Notice of Annual MeetingThe 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 meetingis 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 bedistributed and mailed for consideration and review by local county organizations.The following is the process outlined by the delegates to the Annual Meeting. The resolutiondeadlines for the Annual Meeting are indicated below:Annual MeetingResolutions:Any affiliated localorganization, districtmeeting or member maysubmit a resolution forconsideration at an AnnualMeeting.Resolution type – 45-dayDue December 8, 2012Resolutions that aresubmitted to theAssociation at least 45days before the AnnualMeeting will be distributedto the delegates, alongwith the notice of theAnnual Meeting. A 45-dayresolution will become astatement of the delegatebody if it receives a majorityof the votes cast on theresolution at the AnnualMeeting.Resolution type – 7-dayDue January 15, 2013Resolutions submittedto the Association atleast 7 days before theAnnual Meeting will bedistributed to the delegatesat the beginning of theAnnual Meeting. When a7-day resolution comesup before the agenda,a spokesperson for theresolution will make a oneminutestatement for thereason for the resolution;then the delegates will voteon whether to consider theresolution.The resolution willbe considered onlyif it receives 75% ofthe votes cast on themotion to consider. A7-day resolution thatis considered by thedelegate body willbecome a statement ofthe delegate body if itreceives a majority ofthe votes cast on theresolution at the AnnualMeeting.No other resolutionsDelegates at the AnnualMeeting cannot considerresolutions received bythe Association less than7 days before the AnnualMeeting.AdvertisersThe Iowa Pork Producers Associationwould like to thank our advertisersfor supporting us. Be sure to keepthem in mind as you plan yourpurchases throughout the year!Absolute Swine Insemination...................2Alltech......................................................5Boyce Livestock Co. LLC......................50Chore-Time............................................26Compart’s Boar Store............................50Cotran....................................................43Elanco......................................................9Hog House Alarms................................51International Boar Semen......................50Katolight.................................................40Kerns Farms...........................................51Land O’Lakes.........................................27LSG Health Systems..............................51Marvin Wuebker.....................................51Pit Charger.............................................42PMT........................................................51Pork Board.............................................47Producers Livestock..............................51SFP........................................................24Stutsman................................................41Truline Genetics.....................................50Uddertech..............................................46Waldo Farms, Inc...................................50Whiteshire Hamroc................................51ZFI Swine Semen Services....................352012 Board of DirectorsIPPA StaffExecutive CommitteePresidentBill TentingerPresident-electGreg Lear, SpencerVice President ofOperationsDavid Struthers, CollinsVice President ofResourcesMark Meirick, ProtivinVice President of MarketDevelopmentMark Johnson, LelandVice President ofProducer ServicesJamie Schmidt, GarnerPast PresidentLeon Sheets, IoniaNPPCHoward Hill, Iowa FallsJohn Weber,DysartNational Pork BoardConley Nelson, AlgonaDerrick Sleezer, CherokeeDirectorsDistrict 1 Joe Rotta, MerrillDistrict 4 Al Wulfekuhle, QuasquetonDistrict 5 Curtis Meier, ClarindaDistrict 6 Gene Moody, MaxwellDistrict 7 David Calderwood, TraerDistrict 8 Heather Hora, WashingtonNW Region Marv Rietema, SiouxCenterSE Region Joel Huber, WellmanNE Region Brenda Schmitt, RuddAllied Ryan Bailey, State CenterStakeholder Craig Rowles, CarrollEx-officio DirectorsIowa Secretary of AgricultureThe Honorable Bill NortheyIowa Department of Agricultureand Land StewardshipHarold HommesIowa Pork Industry CenterDr. John Mabry, Executive DirectorIowa State UniversityDr. Maynard HogbergDr. Lisa NolanIowa Pork Youth TeamQueen, Lindsay Reth, ManchesterPrincess, Sterling Schnepf,GranvilleAmbassador, Jacob Swanson,OttumwaDirectorsRich Degner, ExecutiveTyler Bettin, Producer EducationRon Birkenholz, CommunicationsDoug Fricke, Trade ShowMarketingJoyce Hoppes, ConsumerInformationCody McKinley, Public PolicyKelly Sheets, Producer OutreachKelsey Sutter, Marketing/ProgramsJeff Vande Kieft , AccountingAssistantsSheryl Christensen, AdministrativeLea Clemenson, ProgramsMary Lea Hampton, PromotionsAndrea Wright, TechnicalMagazine design and layout byMindz Eye Design4 SEPTEMBER 2012

Illinois chef a double winner atQuad Cities Taste of EleganceThe Iowa and Illinois PorkProducer associations held the28th annual Quad Cities Taste ofElegance contest in BettendorfJuly 9 and an Illinois chefcaptured top honors.Doug Lear, chef at the Bass StreetChop House in Moline was namedChef Par Excellence for his RootBeer Braised Pork Cheek withChili Crusted Herb Sweet PotatoCroquette. Lear received a plaqueand $1,000 for his winning entreeand was invited to represent theQuad Cities at Pork Summit2013, a National Taste of Elegancecompetition at Greystone inCalifornia next spring.Lear doubled his pleasure by alsobeing named the winner of thePeople’s Choice Award. For thathonor, he received a plaque and$250 from the Scott County PorkProducers.Judges selected Chef Mon Sayasitof Daniel Arthur’s in CedarRapids as Superior Chef. He wasawarded a plaque and $700 for hisModern Pork Bowl dish.The Premier Chef award wentto Jerimy Henson, chef at 4 PlaySports Pub in Rock Island, IL.Henson received $300 as well as aplaque. His entrée was ChickareeSous Vide Pork Shoulder, JalapenoCarrot and Current Cole Slaw.all the different tastes of each chef ’sentrée,” said Suzy VenHorst ofthe Scott County Pork Producersand a member of the Iowa PorkProducer Association’s Restaurantand Foodservice Committee. “Weare definitely looking forward to nextyear’s competition and the creativityof the chefs who compete.”More than 200 people attended theevent and enjoyed the pork samplesprovided by each of the nine area chefswho took part in the competition, heldin the ballroom of the Isle of CapriConvention Center in Bettendorf. Thecompeting chefs included four fromIllinois and five from Iowa.Martin Bros. Distribution Co.,Hawkeye Foodservice Distribution,the Scott County Pork Producers,Scott Community College, MilanFlorist, Trophy Shoppe and theIsle of Capri also participated assponsors.The Taste of Elegance competitionwas introduced in 1985 by theIllinois Pork Producers Councilas a way to encourage whitetablecloth restaurants to add porkentrees to their menus. The entreesare judged on taste, appearanceand originality.“Our committee feels this eveningwas a great success. The guestsin the ballroom truly enjoyedIllinois Chef Doug Lear was a double winner at the 28th annualQuad Cities Taste of Elegance.8 September SEPTEMBER 2012

EPA issues initial report on Iowa compliancewith NPDES permit programBy Eldon McAfee, IPPA legal counselIn September of 2007, Iowa Citizens for CommunityImprovement, the Sierra Club and the EnvironmentalIntegrity Project filed a petition with the federal EPAalleging that Iowa DNR’s implementation of the federalNPDES permit program for livestock operations in Iowadid not comply with the federal Clean Water Act andthat EPA should withdraw its delegation of theprogram to Iowa DNR and take over the program.On July 12, 2012, EPA issued an initial report ofits informal investigation into the allegations inthe petition. The initial report notes that of the 31allegations, 26 have been resolved by DNR andthat DNR is to respond to EPA within 60 days as toresolution of the five remaining areas.Background - Environmental groups’2007 petition and EPA’s and IowaDNR’s responseThe September 2007 19-page petition alleged 46 areas(EPA’s report stated 31, but there were actually 46)where the groups believed there were deficiencies inIowa’s NPDES program. The petition requested thatEPA respond in writing by notifying Iowa it is notadministering the NPDES program in compliance withthe CWA, hold a public hearing and withdraw itsdelegation of the program to Iowa DNR. However,after the petition was filed in 2007, the Iowa DNR hasworked with the federal EPA and Iowa agriculturalgroups to address any concerns. Most, if not all, of theconcerns simply showed a misunderstanding and/ormisrepresentation of federal and Iowa law and how thelaw is interpreted and enforced in Iowa. Despitemisunderstandings and misinterpretations, at EPA’surging, the Iowa Legislature made the following changesto the Iowa Code:1. 2008 – Included livestock markets in the definition ofanimal feeding operation, expressly required that theanimal unit capacity of an animal feeding operationthat includes both an open feedlot and confinementoperation for NPDES permit purposes, and incorporatedinto the Code existing EPA and DNR rule requirementsfor open feedlot inspections and recordkeeping.2. 2010 - Addressed the alleged conflict of interest byIowa EPC members by changing the appeal processfor NPDES permits so that an appeal of a DNRdecision on an NPDES permit is to an administrativelaw judge, not to the EPC. The bill also incorporatedexisting federal law NPDES permit requirements intothe Iowa Code for confinement operations, and ifrules are adopted by the EPC, those rules cannot bemore stringent than federal law.In addition to these Code changes, the Iowa DNR adoptednumerous rules to clarify that Iowa’s NPDES program forCAFOs is consistent with federal regulations. The DNRalso proposed a rule to implement rules for NPDES forconfinement operations. That rule would have simplyreferenced federal EPA rule requirements, which inessence already apply to Iowa confinement operationsbecause they are federal law. However, while the rule wasunder consideration, a federal court ruled that the federalEPA rule requiring a CAFO that “proposed to discharge”was invalid under the CWA. Because the federal EPA ruleon that issue is invalid and because Iowa law prohibitsIowa DNR rules on NPDES permits for confinementsfrom being be more stringent than federal law, the DNRrulemaking was terminated until federal EPA rules arerevised to comply with the court decision. As of now,federal EPA rules have not yet been revised.Despite these actions by the Iowa Legislature and theIowa DNR, on August 18, 2011, the environmentalgroups released a Notice of Intent to Sue the federal EPAalleging EPA failed to properly respond to the groups’2007 petition. EPA states in the initial report that it thendeveloped a draft protocol setting out the resolved issuesand detailing procedures to address what EPA considersunresolved issues. EPA shared this draft protocol with theenvironmental groups and DNR and states that the groups10 SEPTEMBER 2012

did not dispute the resolved issues and “agreed, with minorcomment, to the proposed protocol.”EPA’s July 12, 2012, Initial ReportIn its initial report, EPA set out the five areas that it expectsDNR to correct what EPA sees as deficiencies:• EPA believes IDNR is not issuing NPDES permits toCAFOs when appropriate. Stated another way, EPAis not convinced Iowa law that requires confinementfeeding operations to retain all manure betweenmanure applications meets federal law dischargerequirements.• EPA does not believe IDNR has conductedcomprehensive inspections to determine whetherunpermitted CAFOs need NPDES permits.• In a number of cases reviewed (49%), EPA believesIDNR did not take proper enforcement actions forNPDES permit violations.• EPA does not believe IDNR is assessing adequatepenalties against CAFOs.• EPA does not consider land application setbacksfor manure in Iowa law equivalent to federalrequirements and that these setbacks are not includedin IDNR-approved nutrient management plans.Based on these preliminary findings, EPA states in thereport that it expects DNR to take the following “requiredactions:”• Modify its inspection and enforcement proceduresto more consistently and more comprehensivelydocument conditions observed during inspections.• Either provide EPA with a “formal legal opinionfrom the state” that Iowa law prohibiting manuredischarges by confinement feeding operationsis “an outright discharge prohibition that, at aminimum, allows the state program to meet federalrequirements” or adopt rules for NPDES permitsfor confinement feeding operations that dischargemanure to a water of the U.S.• Revise its inspection program to evaluate operationsto determine whether an operation is a CAFOunder federal NPDES rules, whether the operationis discharging manure to waters of the U.S., whetherany discharges that have occurred at an operationthat does not have an NPDES permit have beenpermanently corrected, and whether the operationmust obtain an NPDES permit because it discharges.• Develop an inspection plan that meets EPA’scompliance strategy for CAFOs and have adequateresources for implementation of the NPDESprogram for CAFOs.• Document its inspection findings that a CAFOdoes not need an NPDES permit because itdoes not discharge. The DNR is to revise itscurrent enforcement program to better followits enforcement response policy and betterdocument its decision-making processes related toenforcement.• Establish a plan to timely evaluate medium-sizedopen feedlots and confinement operations withmore than 1,000 animal units to “establish theirregulatory status.”• Evaluate Iowa law setback and separation distancerequirements for manure applicationfor compliance with federal rules and clarify thatthese requirements are equivalent to federal law.Also, the DNR is to revise its forms to includethese setbacks.EPA stated that the initial report is the first step inthe process in which EPA will work with the DNR tocorrect what EPA sees as deficiencies and has askedthe DNR to provide a written response to the report,within 60 days. EPA has asked that this responsedescribe the actions the DNR has taken or will take tocorrect the alleged deficiencies, including a proposedplan and timeline to address the alleged deficiencies.EPA stated that it intends to provide an opportunityfor the public to comment on DNR’s proposals.ConclusionAs with the environmental groups’ petition, it appearsEPA’s initial report includes misunderstandings ofIowa law and Iowa DNR enforcement procedures.Hopefully, in its response, DNR will address EPA’smisunderstandings as well as provide EPA with thenecessary information.The Iowa Pork Producers Association will closelyfollow EPA’s investigation and provide appropriateinput as to the provisions of Iowa law and Iowa DNRenforcement of that law as it affects Iowa livestockproducers. The association will provide updates as thisprocess goes forward, including public comment onDNR’s proposals to EPA.SEPTEMBER 201211

Finding ways to feed pigs for lessResults of a preliminary experimentconducted at the University of Illinoisindicate that it may be possible to selectpigs that can make efficient use of energyin less expensive feed ingredients, thusreducing diet costs.Less expensive feed is usually higher infiber than the corn-soy diets typically usedin U.S. swine production, explained HansH. Stein, professor of animal sciences at theUniversity of Illinois. However, the whitebreeds that are used in commercial porkproduction use only about 40 percent ofthe insoluble fiber. “If you can increase thatnumber to 50 or 60 or 70 percent, then ofcourse, you would get a much better useof the energy in those ingredients,” Steinexplained.“The white breeds have been selected forhigh efficiency and rapid gain for many,many generations,” Stein continued. “Butthat’s all based on corn-soy diets. However,there are also indigenous breeds of pigsthat have not been selected for commercialproduction, and these breeds have,therefore, not been fed the corn-soybeanmeal diets for as many generations as thewhite breeds.”Among those indigenous breeds areMeishan pigs, which have been raisedin China for many centuries. Stein’shypothesis was that these pigs, whichhave not been selected for efficiency andrapid weight gain, would use fiber moreefficiently than the white breeds.Stein and his team compared the fiberdigestion of Meishan pigs with thatof two groups of Yorkshire pigs. Theytested four diets that used high-fiberingredients: distillers dried grains withsolubles (DDGS), soybean hulls, sugar beetpulp, and pectin. When fed DDGS,the values for apparent total tractenergy digestibility were higher forthe Meishan pigs (83.5%) than foreither weight-matched (77.3%) orage-matched (78.8%) Yorkshire pigs.Researchers observed no significantdifference in energy digestibility forthe other ingredients.“What we observed was that,particularly for the DDGS diets, theMeishanswere quitea bit moreeffective atusing thatfiber,” Steinsaid. “Thatdiet is highin insolubledietaryfiber. Whenwe lookedat moresolublefibers, therewas no difference.”Although Meishan pigs wouldnever be used for commercial porkproduction in the United States,the results indicate that differencesexist among breeds of pigs. Thus, itis possible that differences also existamong the white breeds and that somemay use fibers more efficiently thanothers.Stein stressed that this study waspreliminary and said that determiningif white breeds can be bred to useinsoluble fiber more efficiently willbe quite costly because it requiresselecting pigs for multiple generations.12 SEPTEMBER 2012

Creative exhibit showcasing farming’sprogress wows state fairgoers“Back to the Farmer,” an interactive agricultural experienceexploring the continuous innovations and improvements offarming and their benefits, was a crowd favorite at the 2012Iowa State Fair.An estimated 250,000 fairgoers visited the unique exhibitlocated in the south foyer of the Varied IndustriesBuilding. Powered by the Iowa Food & Family Project,“Back to the Farmer” featured a variety of ag-relatedcontests and activities for people of all ages and alarger-than-life sculpture built from 14,890 canned andpackaged food items.On Aug. 21, the food items weighing more than 13,400pounds were delivered to the Food Bank of Iowa benefitingthose struggling with hunger. The contribution included2,200 cans of sweet peas, 31 cases of spaghetti and meat ballsand 31 cases of green beans.“The food is of amazingquality and will fly out ofhere,” says Food Bank ofIowa Executive DirectorCarey Miller. “People arestruggling and our teamand the families we serveare extremely grateful toeveryone who helped makethis contribution possible.”Nearly 3,500 visitors submitted registration cards wherethey offered specific questions and comments aboutfarming and guessed the number of food items usedin the exhibit. Their names were entered for daily andgrand prizes.“Back to the Farmer” sponsors were Hy-Vee, Iowa SoybeanAssociation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, MidwestDairy Association, Farm Credit Services of America,Syngenta, Iowa Select Farms, Iowa Food Bank Association,United Soybean Board and Casey’s General Store.The Iowa Food & Family Project is a purpose-driveninitiative created by the Iowa Soybean Association anddedicated to inspiring greater awareness, understandingand trust between farmers and consumers. It’s backed bymore than 30 affiliates representing dedicated farm groups,food retailers, allied businesses and associations and foodrelief organizations.Fairgoers also contributednearly $7,000 to the IFBA.In addition to helpingIowa food banks, fairgoersparticipated in activitiesshowcasing the tremendousachievements of farmfamilies past and presentand the improvementsyet to come that willenhance food productivitywhile safeguarding theenvironment and creatingeconomic vitality.It took 14,890 canned and packaged food items to create this Delorean for theIowa Food & Family Project’s “Back to the Farmer” exhibit at the 2012 Iowa State Fair.Photo courtesy: Joe Murphy, Iowa Soybean AssociationSEPTEMBER 201213

SWINE DAYNew innovations helping in fight against PRRSAn Iowa State University researcher provided someencouraging news on Porcine Reproductive andRespiratory Syndrome during the Iowa Swine Day atIowa State University in Ames June 28.Dr. Derald Holtkamp, assistant professor ofveterinary diagnostic & production animal medicine,told the nearly 300 people in attendance that thereare reasons to be optimistic about the progress beingmade in the ongoing battle against PRRS.Since a 2005 economic analysis revealed thatPRRS was costing U.S. hog farmers around $560million annually in production losses, productionand health strategies have evolved, PRRS viruscontrol/elimination strategies have improved andstructural adjustments have occurred in the industry,Holtkamp said.PRRS continues to cost the industry about $1.8million a day, but recent innovations such as herdclosures and rollovers; vaccines and live virusinoculation; diagnostics and oral fluids; an increasedfocus on biosecurity, including PADRAP and filters;and regional control/elimination projects are havingan impact, he said.depopulation-repopulation,” Holtkamp said.Herd closure and rollover methods are relativelyinexpensive and have a high success rate if donecorrectly, he said. Holtkamp estimates the cost ofcompleting a herd closure and rollover is $10 to$40 per sow compared to $250 to $500 per sowfor a complete depopulation-repopulation.Ramping up biosecurity efforts, including the useof the Production Animal Disease Risk AssessmentProgram and filters, can help maintain the negativestatus of breeding herds, keep pigs negative tomarketing and stop the introduction of new virusstrains into positive herds.PADRAP is an epidemiologically-based initiativeto help producers and veterinarians managedisease risks faced by the North Americanswine industry. It offers a set of risk assessmentquestionnaires, databases and reports formeasuring and benchmarking disease risks. PRRSRisk Assessments are currently available for boththe breeding and growing pig herds.He also discussed filtration of barns to reduceaerosol spread of the PRRS virus.“We have the know-how to eliminate the PRRSvirus from breeding herds without doing a costly,complete depopulation-repopulation.”– Dr. Derald Holtkamp“We have the know-how to eliminate the PRRS virusfrom breeding herds without doing a costly, completeHoltkamp isoptimistic thatthe biosecurityfocus and regionalelimination/control projectscan potentiallymove the bar, butproducers must takebiosecurity to thenext level and bemore aggressive about eliminating the virus at theherd, regional and national levels.SEPTEMBER 201215

SWINE DAYImproving feed efficiency and lowering costsCorn and soybean prices have skyrocketed toall-time highs this year and many of Iowa’s hogfarmers are looking harder for ways to increase feedefficiency.Dr. John Patience of Iowa State University talkedabout practical ways to improve feed efficiency andreduce feed costs at the Iowa Swine Day in AmesJune 28.About one-third of the energy consumed by the pigis used for maintenance — things like breathing,fighting off disease and moving around — andmaintenance is a large part of the cost of raising apig. “Anything we can do to reduce maintenancewill help to improve feed efficiency,” said Patience.Farmers can make the most efficient use of feedthrough diet formulation, diet processing, barnmanagement and pig management. Diet formulationand processing are often out of the producer’scontrol, so Patience focused on barn and pigmanagement, which the farmer can better control.Sorting, health and feed intake were key pigmanagement points.Patience says sorting when loading barns iscounterproductive, except for isolating smallpigs that need extra attention. Poor health andsanitation are extremely costly with Patienceestimating the cost at about $4 per pig, based onrecent farm studies.One trend in the pork industry is to feed lowerenergy diets because it’s more economical.Patience says one of two things can happen whenthe energy content of the diet is lowered.“The pig will eat more feed to maintain its dailyenergy intake, which is the preference, or thepig will consume less energy per day and growslower,” he said. “As we go to lower and lowerenergy diets, feed intake will become more andmore important.”He offered tips on feederadjustment and temperature.The less time a pig spendsin the barn, the less feed isneeded to maintain that pig.“Proper feeder adjustmentcan maximize growth rate,improve feeder capacity andreduce feed wastage,”Patience said.Eating generates heat andfeed intake and the pig’sappetite will influence thecomfort temperature for theanimal. Unthrifty pigs eat lessand require a higher barntemperature to stay warm. Ifthey’re chilled, fallback pigswill continue to lag behind.16 SEPTEMBER 2012

First Iowa Farm Environmental LeaderAwards presentedOne of the highlights of the 2012 IowaState Fair was the presentation of the firstIowa Farm EnvironmentalLeader Award to 67 different farmfamilies, including 14 involved in porkproduction.Gov. Terry E. Branstad, Iowa Sec. ofAgriculture Bill Northey and IowaDepartment of Natural ResourcesDirector Chuck Gipp presented theawards during a ceremony Aug. 17. KarlBrooks, EPA Region 7 administrator, alsoattended the ceremony and recognizedthe winners.“The agricultural industry is a vital partof the state’s economy, and a vital partin feeding a growing world population.I know farmers take great pride for thework they do and the commodities theyproduce. Farmers also take pride in theirenvironmental stewardship, by protectingtopsoil from erosion and keeping our waterways clean. Thisaward is thanks for their efforts,” Branstad said.Roger and Renee Nath from Hartley were among 67 Iowa farm families recentlypresented with a state of Iowa environmental award. Pictured from left areDave Tierney of Monsanto, Gov. Branstad, Renee and Roger Nath, Iowa Ag.Sec. Bill Northey, Iowa DNR Director Chuck Gipp and Karl Brooks of the EPA.All winners were chosen by a selection group representingboth conservation and agricultural groups, includingDave Moody of the Iowa Pork Producers Association.The award is a joint effort between the Governor, Lt.Governor, Iowa Department of Agriculture and LandStewardship, and Iowa Department of Natural Resourcesto recognize the efforts of Iowa’s farmers as environmentalleaders committed to healthy soils and improved waterquality. It seeks to recognize the exemplary voluntary actionsof farmers that improve or protect the environment andnatural resources of our state while also encouraging otherfarmers to follow in their footsteps by building success uponsuccess.“Iowa has tremendous farmers who are not only the mostproductive in the world, but who also understand that wemust care for the soil and water and preserve it for the nextgeneration,” Northey said.Winners were presented a certificate as well as a yard signdonated by Monsanto.The following pork producers were presented withthe Iowa Farm Environmental Award:Denny & Kathy Baker, Marshall Co.Tim Bardole, Greene Co.Mike & Kathy Bravard, Greene Co.Robert & Anna Broulik, Linn & Cedar Cos.Randy & Crystal Dreher, Audubon Co.Paul & Lance Ehmcke, Cherokee Co.Denny & Brent Friest, Hardin Co.Larry, Steve & Jeremy Gustafson, Boone Co.Rick & Jane Juchems, Butler & Bremer Cos.Roger & Renee Nath, Clay Co.Kyle & Don Niles, Greene Co.Ryan & Lana Reed, Wapello Co.Rob & Jean Stout, Washington Co.Jim & Tom Wagner, O’Brien Co.SEPTEMBER 201217

Fall manure application issues for droughtconditionsThe drought has raised concerns about fall manureapplication, potential impacts on water quality, residualnitrogen in the soil, nutrient availability and potentialnutrient losses for next year’s crop. Several expertsanswer some frequently asked questions received byIowa State University Extension and Outreach.Matt Helmers, associate professor,agricultural and biosystems engineering, Iowa StateUniversityQ1. What kind of potential water quality issuesdo livestock producers and commercial manureapplicators need to be aware of when applyingmanure this fall in dry soil conditions?While the potential for soil cracking and rapidmovement of manure to tile lines may not be as greata concern as other areas of the corn belt where higherclay content soils are present, care should be takento observe whether there is any direct movement ofmanure to tile lines by taking a look at the exit of thedrainage systems, if possible. A concern if manure wereto make it to the stream is that low stream levels wouldnot allow for very much dilution so that any movementto streams could have a detrimental local effect onstream water.John Sawyer, Extension soil fertility specialist andagronomy professor, Iowa State UniversityQ1. In places where crop development has beenhampered by dry conditions, can we expect to seeresidual nitrogen in the soil? How would we accountfor that residual nitrogen and what should we do toplan for nitrogen needs for the next crop year?If corn production was drastically affected by droughtconditions in 2012, then carryover fertilizer, manure orsoil derived plant-available N could be used to adjust theN application rate for a 2013 corn crop.There are two ways to estimate carryover nitrate-N from2012 corn fertilization. The direct way is to sample thesoil profile (a minimum of two feet) after corn harvestand measure the nitrate-N concentration. Samplingwould be by one-foot increments. If dry conditionspersist, most applied N should remain in the toptwo feet. Sampling to three feet would be preferable,especially where rainfall may have moved nitratedeeper in the profile. To add up nitrate-Nin the sampled soil profile, multiply theconcentration in each foot by four to getthe nitrate-N amount per foot and thenadd the amounts together. One would notwant to account for all of the nitrate-Nas a subtraction from the next corn Nrecommendation as there is always somenitrate in the profile at the end of the season.A suggestion from research conducted inWisconsin (and should be appropriate forIowa) is to only account for nitrate-N greaterthan 40 lb nitrate-N (two foot depth) or 50lb nitrate-N/acre (three foot depth), with theremaining amount then subtracted from thenormal rate recommendation.A second way to estimate carryover nitrate-Nis to use the 2012 corn grain yield. Take thetotal N applied for the 2012 corn crop andsubtract the 2012 corn grain yield in bu/18 SEPTEMBER 2012

acre from that total applied N. Then assume 50 percentof that amount will remain available to the 2013 cropif precipitation is normal or below normal for the fall/winter/early spring. The nitrate-N remaining will varydepending on the actual rainfall and potential lossesfrom fall through spring. For example, if the 2012 cropN application was 190 lb N/acre and the 2012 corn yieldwas 50 bu/acre, then the unused N would be 190-50= 140 lb N/acre. The 140 lb N/acre times 50 percentleaves 70 lb N/ acre to subtract from the 2013 raterecommendation.As a conservative approach, and due to uncertainty witheither estimation method, a minimum rate recommendationof 50 lb N/acre should be considered. If fall/springprecipitation is well above normal, then the carryovernitrate would not be likely, especially in soils with highleaching potential. Sandy soils are not likely to retaincarryover nitrate.Mark Hanna, Extension agricultural engineer, IowaState UniversityQ1. How will dry soils affect manure applicationequipment?Dry soil has more mechanical resistance, i.e., it’s moredifficult to penetrate with tillage tools. Manure tankwagons typically have adequate weight when loaded toforce tillage tools into the soil. On umbilical applicatorswithout tanks or when tanks are closer to empty, extraforce may be required.Q2. What adjustments can be made toequipment to assure better injection andmanure distribution?In drier than normal surface soil conditions,equipment operators should checkapplication depth when starting to apply ina field. Down force can be added throughdown pressure springs if they are availableon implement shanks. If injection depth isstill too light, additional ballast can be addedto the implement. Excessively dry soil alsomay result in more abrasion and faster wearto tools such as discs, knives, sweeps, etc. that are engagedin the soil.Angela Rieck-Hinz, Extension program specialist,Iowa State UniversityQ1. What are some other issues to consider as weapproach fall manure application season?Livestock farmers and manure applicators shouldnot only consider land application issues this fall, butmanagement of manure on open lots, stockpiles andmanure storage structures. This extended period ofdry weather is a good opportunity to make sure openlots are scraped and settling basins and holding pondsbelow feedlots have had manure, settled solids andeffluent removed and land-applied or stockpiled. Makesure stockpiles are properly located to reduce impact ofpotential runoff if we do get rainfall.Producers with liquid manure storage systems will wantto take manure samples this year to determine nutrientconcentration in those liquid storage systems. Be sure totake manure nutrient samples this year and adjust yourmanure application rate accordingly. Keep records ofmanure samples from year to year to compare howweather conditions and management decisions affectcurrent nutrient levels.More of this Q & A and other manure managementresources can be found on the Iowa ManureManagement Action Group web page at:http://www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/homepage.html.SEPTEMBER 201219

Lawsuit alleges EPA not properly regulatingCAFO air emissionsBy Eldon McAfee, IPPA Legal CounselFour individuals from Winneshiek County whoeither taught at, attended, or have children whoattended North Winneshiek School filed a lawsuitin federal district court for the Northern District ofIowa on July 10, 2012, against the EnvironmentalProtection Agency.The lawsuit was brought by Samuel Zook, MichelleMcLain-Kruse, Birgitta Meade and Annette Laitinen.Their attorney is Wallace L. Taylor of Cedar Rapids.The lawsuit claims that the individuals or theirchildren have been exposed to the same air emissionsfrom a concentrated animal feeding operation nearthe school as were found in a study conducted at theschool in 2006. The lawsuit alleges that this studyfound a significantly higher rate of asthma in schoolchildren at North Winneshiek School than at anotherschool in the study, which was 10 miles from thenearest CAFO. The lawsuit also cites other studiesallegedly showing high air emissions from CAFOs,including the recently completed National AirEmissions Monitoring Study (NAEMS) conducted aspart of the 2005 Air Emissions Consent Agreementbetween livestock producers and EPA.The lawsuit claims that the EPA has known theresults of these studies for years, but has not takenany action to regulate emissions from the livestockoperations. The lawsuit demands that EPA now listemissions from animal feeding operations, includinghydrogen sulfide and ammonia, as pollutants underthe Clean Air Act and to establish ambient air qualitystandards for these pollutants. The lawsuit alsodemands that EPA list animal feeding operations asstationary sources of air pollution under the CleanAir Act. The lawsuit requests that the federal courtfor the Northern District of Iowa enter a judgmentrequiring EPA to take these actions and that thecourt retain jurisdiction to ensure the judgment iscomplied with. In the lawsuit, the four individuals alsorequest that EPA be ordered to pay their “reasonableattorney fees and expenses.”The 2006 study at the North Winneshiek School citedin the lawsuit was conducted by the University of IowaEnvironmental Health Sciences Research Center. In astatement released when the study was published, theauthors of the study urged caution in interpreting theresults. The authors noted that “possible confoundersof the study” included differences in smokingrates among the children’s parents, pet ownership,residence on a farm, and asthma diagnosis by differentphysicians. The authors stated that more research wasnecessary.The lawsuit was filed under the federal AdministrativeProcedures Act. Lawsuits such as this against state andfederal government agencies such as EPA are broughtto force agencies to adopt rules or take action that theagencies have not taken because, in most cases, theagencies have determined rulemaking or other actionis not warranted based on the available information.This lawsuit is not against the animal feedingoperation near the school and does not identify theoperation. The Iowa Pork Producers Association willclosely follow this lawsuit and provide updates.SEPTEMBER 201221

Washington Co. farm family celebratesnew hog barnWhen Doug and DianeBrenneman opened up theirnew hog-finishing barn, morethan 200 people came tocelebrate.Neighbors, friends andcommunity members toured thefamily’s 2,400 head hog barn nearWellman during an open houseJuly 3, just days before the firstload of pigs was scheduled toarrive. Although the temperaturewas approaching 100-degreesoutside, the state-of-the-artventilation system kept visitorscool inside the barn.The event, sponsored by theCoalition to Support Iowa’sFarmers, Hills Bank and TrustCompany, Iowa PorkProducersAssociation,PrecisionStructuresIncorporated andUS/Steve’s Feeds,featured a shortprogram, tourof the buildingand a porklunch to honorWashingtonCounty’s newestbusiness.“We made thedecision to growour farm withlivestock as landis difficult to buyaround our area,” said DianeBrenneman. “We think the additionof hogs to our beef cattle farm will bea perfect fit and will allow us to bringour son, Brent, back home after college.This hog building is our investment inthe future of our family farm.”Before the Brenneman’s startedconstruction they turned to thecoalition for advice in choosing agood location and a plan for talking totheir neighbors about putting up thebarn on their farm. “The coalition wasvery helpful and was there for Dianeand I from start to finish,” said DougBrenneman. “I can’t emphasize enoughhow important it is to talk to yourneighbors before you start to buildand address any concerns they mayhave. Diane and I want to be the bestBrenneman Familyneighbors we can be because weplan to be on this farm for a verylong time.”“This hog building will havea $1.5 million impact onWashington County in the firstyear alone,” said BrianWaddingham, CSIF executivedirector. “This event helpedfamiliarize local residents aboutthe benefits oflivestock farming in theircommunities. Iowa is anagricultural state, and weshould take pride in that factand celebrate its value to ourcommunities and the economy.”22 SEPTEMBER 2012

Radcliffe brothers open new hog barnNearly 200 neighbors, friendsand family members turned outto show their support for Beauand Traye Hindman’s new 3,600head hog building near Radcliffeon July 12.Although temperatures wereapproaching 100 degrees outside,the new hog building was 20degrees cooler on the inside.The event, sponsored by theCoalition to Support Iowa’sFarmers (CSIF), The Mashhoffs,Farm Credit Services ofAmerica, Iowa Pork ProducersAssociation and Jorden AgEnterprises, LLC., featureda short program, tour of thebuilding and a pork loin lunch tohonor Hardin County’s newestbusiness.Before theHindmansstartedconstruction,they turned tothe coalitionfor advice indeveloping aplan fortalking to theirneighborsabout puttingup the barnand choosingthe bestlocation for iton their farm.of the way,” said Traye. “I can’temphasize enough how importantit is to talk to your neighbors beforeyou start to build and address anyconcerns they may have. Growingour swine finishing operation wasthe best way for my brother and Ito get our start as beginning farmersand start building equity.”“This hog building will have a $2million impact on Hardin County inthe first year alone,” said CSIFExecutive Director BrianWaddingham. “Everyone benefitsfrom a strong and robust livestockagriculture sector. Not only will thelocal economy see a benefit from thisnew hog building, but livestock is alsoa great way to bring young people backto the farm. Young people like Beauand Traye are helping to revitalizesmall towns all across the state.”The Coalition to Support Iowa’sFarmers was created by farmersto help farmers raise livestockresponsibly and successfully. It’sa joint partnership involving theIowa Cattlemen’s Association,Iowa Corn Growers Association,Iowa Farm Bureau Federation,Iowa Pork Producers Association,Iowa Soybean Association, IowaTurkey Federation and MidwestDairy Association.The non-profit, non-partisanorganization provides assistanceto farmers at no cost. CSIF doesnot lobby or develop policy. Farmfamilies wanting a helping handcan contact the coalition at (800)932-2436 or supportfarmers.com.“The coalitionwas there forus every stepBeau (left) and Traye Hindman of Radcliffe.SEPTEMBER 201223

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New ISU Swine Farms manager seesopportunity and successexhibited two class winners and the champion Berkshiregilt. The farm also was named Premier Exhibitor for thethird consecutive year.His goals for the farms include increasing biosecurity,increasing production through more efficient use ofavailable space, and expanding opportunities forstudents to be involved in production practices anddecisions. He said student employees are as importantto the swine farms operation as the pigs themselves, andwants to see the students succeed.New ISU Swine Farm Manager Jacob Myers.Although just a few years older than most of hisemployees, new Iowa State University Swine FarmsManager Jacob Myers said he’s excited to be able towork with a younger generation in developing theirpork industry skills.“Family is very important to me and I see our studentemployees as family on our farms,” Myers said. “I hopeto encourage them to make life decisions that are wellthought out and put themselves in position to succeed.All they have to do is add hard work and honesty to theequation.”As a 2005 Iowa State graduate in animal science, he waspleased to return to his alma mater in a capacity thatbuilt on his experience and education.“I’ve owned pigs, custom fed hogs for a local producer fortwo years and worked for Iowa Select Farms as afinishing supervisor for four years,” Myers said. “I haveraised hogs in just about every facility possible so I canunderstand challenges of larger and smaller scale farms.”He said this job is a unique position that offerschallenges and occasions for improvement.“One of my expectations is to maintain the positivetraditions that ISU is known for,” he said. “This includesstudent involvement in and on the farms, ourcommitment to research with faculty and staff, andmaintaining a high health herd status.”Since the Maxwell native started work (his first day wasApril 25) he already has seen success. During the 2012World Pork Expo in early June, the swine teaching farm26 SEPTEMBER 2012

2012 Iowa State Fair SummaryFairgoers bring healthy appetites toIowa Pork TentThe weather was beautiful, thecrowds were excellent andbusiness was brisk at the IowaPork Tent and Chop shops during the2012 Iowa State Fair.People could purchase Iowa Chop,pork loin, BBQ pulled pork and porkburger dinners, or ala carte. The IowaPork Producers Association raisedprices of some of the menu items 50cents to a dollar this year, but therewas apparently no impact on sales.“Mother nature cooperated well aswe had excellent weather for ourvolunteers and customers to enjoytheir time at the fair,” said TylerBettin, IPPA producer educationdirector and Iowa Pork Tent manager.Preliminary figures indicate servingswere up 3 percent and sales increased 5percent over last year. The PorkTent registered more than 90,000 porkservings during the 11-day fair. ThePork Chop on a Stick continued to bethe most popular item with more than61,000 sold. That was up from 54,600last year. Customers purchased 12,400Iowa Chops, down slightly from 2011.One Iowa Chop didn’t show up in thesales totals. That was the one given toPresident Obama during his surprisevisit to the fair Aug. 13.The tent sold 7,800 BBQ pulled porksandwiches, 6,500 pork loin mealsand 4,900 pork burgers.“Overall, I was very pleased with theoutcome this year,” Bettin said. “Wesaw a slight increase in pork sold andhosted a showcase of pork that allIowa pork producers can be proud of.”The Pork Tent traditionally draws awide array of politicians, coaches, TVand radio personalities and othersand many made appearances this yearas celebrity chefs.Some of this year’s notables includedformer Drake University basketballstar Dolph Pulliam, Iowa Statewomen’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly,Iowa Congressmen Steve King,Leonard Boswell, Dave Loebsack,Tom Latham and Bruce Braley, IowaSenators Charles Grassley and TomHarkin, Iowa Secretary of AgricultureBill Northey and Iowa Governor TerryBranstad.The celebrities help bring notorietyto the Pork Tent and often providepositive publicity for the pork industry.The success of the concessions dependslargely on the volunteers who givetheir time to help and Bettin took theopportunity to acknowledge thoseresponsible for the day-to-day activities.“The Iowa Pork Tent would notbe possible without the incrediblededication of our committee membersand volunteer groups,” said Bettin.“I would like to send a tremendousthank you to all those that gave theirtime to make it a successful fair.”28SEPTEMBER 2012

2012 Iowa State Fair SummaryAnimal Learning Center presentseducational opportunitiesThe Iowa State Fair is likely the onlyopportunity most urban dwellers take tosee farm animals, view the birth of pigsand calves and talk to farmers and the AnimalLearning Center provides all of that and more.Thousands of people came through the IowaPork Producers Association’s farrowing displayfor a chance to see the birth of pigs, ask questionsabout farrowing and learn more about porkproduction in general.Producers and other volunteers stationed atthe display throughout the fair reported thatmany fairgoers questioned the industry’s useof gestation stalls. Most, if not all, accepted theexplanation given by the volunteer.IPPA purchased the sows from Elite Pork inCarroll and they produced an average litter sizeof 12.7 pigs per litter during the fair. At the endof the fair, the sows and more than 100 pigletswere donated to Justin Boblett from Coon Rapids,a member of the Coon Rapids-Bayard FFAChapter. Justin plans to breed the sows this fallwith hopes of having pigs that he can show at thefair next year.Justin Boblett (center) with his brother, Jerome, (left) and friend,Dillon Wurr, prior to loading up sows and piglets fromthe IPPA farrowing display.Signage and production information was postedthroughout the area by IPPA, and contests to test kids’knowledge of pork production were held each day.IPPA co-sponsored Rhonda Renee’s educationalThank a Farmer Show four times daily andpartnered with other commodity groups to holda farm version of the popular “Minute to Win It”television show each evening.SEPTEMBER 201229

2012 Iowa State Fair SummaryIPPA promotes pork inAgriculture buildingPork samples, a cooler display and newinteractive displays for children were all partof the Iowa Pork Producers Association’sactivities in the Agriculture building during the 2012Iowa State Fair.The butter cow may be the big attraction in theAgriculture building, but a steady stream of peoplecame through Farmville to sample the various porkproducts available on eight different days of the fair.Hormel, John Morrell, Johnsonville, Tyson andWebster City Custom Meats all supplied porkduring the fair. Fairgoers were able to sample porkloin, pulled pork, sausage and brats and pick uprecipe cards, discount pork coupons and 145-degreetemperature sticks.Producers from 14 Iowa counties; Iowa Select Farms,National Pork Board and Iowa State Universityrepresentatives; and Fareway meat managers allvolunteered to hand out samples and informationfrom IPPA’s Farmville booth.IPPA also added a new interactive learning displaygeared toward children. They could flip open a tab tolearn more about hogs and pork production.After promoting the 145-degree pork cookingtemperature last year, IPPA chose to focus this year’scooler display on the people who raise hogs. The“From Our Farm to Your Plate” exhibit showcasedindividual producers and families and includedpackages of fresh pork in a shopping cart and porkinformation.Elsewhere around the fair, IPPA posted Master PorkProducer displays and signage in the swine barn andsponsored a pork contest and a cooking contest for4-H teams.30 SEPTEMBER 2012

2012 Iowa State Fair SummaryMini CAFO newest Little Handson the Farm attractionFamilies visiting Little Hands on the Farm at the IowaState Fair were introduced to a new exhibit this year.The Iowa Pork Producers Association, a long-timesponsor of the fun and interactive attraction, built a miniconcentrated animal feeding operation to help educateconsumers and their children about how hog farmershouse and care for their livestock today.Hog Slat, Inc., donated the building and equipment, whichincluded a real grain bin, curtains, slats, fans, a feeder, andnearly everything else you find in a modern CAFO, exceptlive pigs. Five pig cutouts were set up in the barn andproducer cutouts provided additional information aboutthe barn’s benefits. Children could drop a small bag of feedinto a basket for the pigs and count the number of pigs inthe barn for a prize.“This new exhibit was fun for the kids and allowed us toshow thousands of people the inside of a modern hogfacility and how pigs are raised,” said IPPA ConsumerInformation Director Joyce Hoppes. “It helps takes themystery out of pork production and people can feel morecomfortable knowing how well farmers care for their pigs.”The IPPA exhibit was staffed by various, 4-H, FFA andother volunteers from around the state.Little Hands on the Farm teaches children the importanceof agriculture and how it affects their daily lives in an easyto-learnformat. Geared toward ages 2 to 10, kids obtaina gathering basket and proceed along a path that alsoincludes a garden, grain bin, apple orchard, chicken coop,tractor shed, sheep barn and dairy barn. After gatheringparticular items along the way, they get the chance tosell these items at the Little Hands on the Farm Farmers’Market for a Little Hands dollar to spend at the GroceryStore for such items as a piece of fruit, a granola bar or anice cream sandwich.SEPTEMBER 2012 31

2012 Iowa State Fair SummaryRecognizing the volunteers!It takes nearly 1,000 volunteers, a dedicated Iowa Pork Tent Committeeand committed Iowa Pork Producers Association staff members to makethe Iowa State Fair a success each year. IPPA was fortunate to have 960volunteers, 43 county pork groups, 22 companies and the national porkindustry organizations to help make things happen this year. IPPA recognizesand thanks the following organizations and people who helped at the PorkTent, Chop shops, Agriculture building and the Animal Learning Center topromote Iowa’s pork industry!Iowa Pork Tent, Chop shopsCountiesAdairAudubonBentonBooneBremerButlerCassCherokeeChickasawClayCrawfordClintonDelawareDickinsonFloydFranklinGreeneGrundyGuthrieHamiltonHancockHardinHowardJeffersonLeeMadisonMahaskaMarshallCompanies/OrganizationsO’BrienPagePlymouthPolkSacScottStoryTamaUnionWebsterWinnebagoWrightBeving, Swanson & ForrestIA Dept. of AgricultureIowa Farm BureauIowa Select FarmsIowa Soybean AssociationIowa State UniversityMurphy Brown FarmsNational Pork BoardNational Pork Producers CouncilNevada FFAPrestage FarmsTyson FoodsUS Pork Center of ExcellenceWells Fargo BankAnimal Learning CenterAdairBentonBremerBuena VistaButlerChickasawClayClarkeCherokeeDelawareDickinson GuthrieHardinNational Pork BoardPagePalo AltoPlymouthStoryTamaWapelloWebster32 SEPTEMBER 2012

2012 Iowa State Fair SummaryAgriculture BuildingAdairBremerChickasawDelawareFareway Food StoresHardinHowardIowa Select FarmsIowa State UniversityMadisonMarionNational Pork BoardPagePlymouthStoryWapelloWarrenWebster2012 Iowa Pork Tent CommitteeIPPA offers special thanks to the men and women of the Iowa Pork TentCommittee. The group is active year ‘round planning, preparing, operatingand ensuring the success of the IPPA concessions and the members takegreat pride in showcasing and providing quality pork. It’s their passion anddedication that have made the Iowa Pork Tent and Chop shops one of thefavorite establishments for thousands of fair visitors. The committee is a closeknitgroup and it paid tribute this year to the late Gary ‘Otis’ Helmrichswith buttons and a special display at the Pork Tent. The long-time committeemember passed away earlier this year.LeRoy Raabe - ChairmanEugene & Ruth MoodyDave & Alice MoodyChris & Stacy CornellEd & Sandy FryDana WankenTerry & Donna DerbyDuane & Karen DreagerDoug & Cindy BarryMike & Kathy RiceDan BrueneStephen BurgmeierCindy & Chuck BeckerCharlie & Erin JohnsonRay & Julie CrouchRick & Carole ClaeysJamie HelmrichsDavid & Kassy RiceDoug RiceMike & Susan DeahrDennis & Julie KentTim & LaDonna PaffordTyler Bettin, IPPA staffKelsey Sutter, IPPA staffCody McKinley, IPPA staffStephanie Carlson, IPPA internSEPTEMBER 201233

USDA buying pork tohelp hog farmers throughdroughtU.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announcedAug. 13 USDA’s intent to purchase up to $100 millionof pork products in an effort to assist droughtstrappedlivestock farmers.Additional lamb, chicken and catfish purchases willpush the total USDA buy to $170 million. The meatwill be used for federal food nutrition assistanceprograms, including food banks.The purchases were to begin immediately and continuewell into 2013, according to a USDA spokesman.Initial purchases will be primarily sow-based products,such as sausage, but fresh pork, including ham, willbe purchased next year. The pork will go primarily toresidential feeding programs and food banks.USDA says the purchase will help relieve pressure onAmerican livestock producers during the drought,while helping to bring the nation’s meat supply in linewith demand while providing high quality, nutritiousfood to recipients of USDA’s nutrition programs.“President Obama and I will continue to take swiftaction to get help to America’s farmers and ranchersthrough this difficult time,” said Vilsack. “Thesepurchases will assist pork, catfish, chicken andlamb producers who are currently struggling dueto challenging market conditions and the high costof feed resulting from the widespread drought. Thepurchases will help mitigate further downwardprices, stabilize market conditions, and providehigh quality, nutritious food to recipients of USDA’snutrition programs.”The National Pork Producers Council issued astatement following the announcement, saying it isgrateful for USDA’s $100 million supplemental porkpurchase.“This purchase will help pork producers who arestruggling with the effects of this severe drought,which has adversely affected much of the nation’scorn crop,” NPPC President R.C. Hunt said. “Infact, many producers still face the prospect ofsevere losses because of record-high feed prices,which have gone up because of the drought. NPPCwill continue to work with USDA to help porkproducers through this current crisis.Through the Emergency Surplus Removal Program,USDA can use Section 32 funds to purchase meatand poultry products to assist farmers and rancherswho have been affected by natural disasters. Thepork, lamb and catfish purchases are based onanalyses of current market conditions. A majorfactor affecting livestockproducers is the value of feed, which is currentlyrunning high because of the drought.USDA says the move is part of the Obamaadministration’s commitment to do everything itcan to help farmers, ranchers, small businesses,and communities being impacted by the nation’spersistent drought.34 SEPTEMBER September 2012

Record pork export pace continues in JuneU.S. pork exports concluded thefirst half of 2012 in solid fashion,with June pork exports 4 percenthigher in value than last year onsteady volume.These results are based on statisticsreleased by the USDA and compiledby the U.S. Meat Export FederationAug. 10.June porkexportstotaled165,065metric tonsvaluedat $468.3million.This pushedthe firsthalf total to1.13 millionmetric tons valued at $3.17 billion,which was 5 percent higher involume and 13 percent higher invalue than the record pace of 2011.June export value equated to $54.78per head slaughtered, bumping perheadvalue for the year to $57.80– more than 10 percent higherthan in the first half of 2011. Forthe year, about 24 percent of U.S.muscle cut production has beenexported and nearly 28 percent oftotal production (muscle cuts plusvariety meat). Last year these ratioswere 22.5 percent and 27 percent,respectively.Markets driving first half exportgrowth for U.S. pork includedvolume leader Mexico, whichwas up 13 percent in volume to294,097 metric tons and 11 percentin value to $537.4 million. Valuepacesetter Japan was up 7 percentin value ($1.01 billion) despite a 7percent decline in volume (231,984metric tons). June was a rather slowmonth for Japan, with export volumeposting the lowest total (32,923metric tons) since September 2010.“The remainder of 2012 will be verychallengingin Japan, butwe continueto pursue newmarketingopportunities,”said USMEFPresident andCEO PhilipSeng. “InMexico, weare focusedon growingoverall porkconsumption, as this will definitelypay long-term dividends for the U.S.industry.”Russia provided a significant boostfor June’s pork results, with exportvolume up 75 percent from a yearago to 11,094 metric tons. Exportvalue topped $30 million – anincrease of more than 50 percentover June 2011, bolstered by strongdemand for higher-value productssuch as boneless hams and bonelessloins. Through June, this year’s porkexports to Russia were up 42 percentin volume (50,226 metric tons) and38 percent in value ($145 million).“U.S. pork still faces obstacles inRussia, but we are gaining tractionthere,” Seng said. “This is the firstyear in which the United Statesis participating in Russia’s large(400,000 metric tons) global importquota, which expands our growthpotential.Editor’s notes:- Export statistics refer to both muscle cutsand variety meat unless otherwise noted- One metric ton = 2,204.622 poundsSEPTEMBER 201235

k Producer magazine that will appear twice a year. All hog farmers willally contract growers.Production PartnersThis is a new feature of the Iowa Pork Producer magazine that will appear twice a year. All hog farmers will findvalue in the information, especially contract growers.Fellow Producers:Lori JorgensonAs an employeeworking in theindustry, my need toutilize internal andexternal resourcesis essential. I haveworked closely withcontract growerssince 1995 and one ofmy responsibilities isindustry involvementand communication.To be effective in this position, networking has becomea primary focus. There are many great organizationsrepresenting the pork industry, but one in particularthat I call on; almost on a weekly basis, is the Iowa PorkProducers Association.I first became involved with IPPA by becoming amember because I felt obligated. It made perfectsense to me that if my career is going to be in the hogindustry, I needed to belong to the association. Afterbecoming a member, I attended the annual meeting.It opened the door and brought awareness to all ofthe available resources. Knowing what the associationhad to offer made it easier to use them as a resourceon a regular basis. Whether it was a single piece ofliterature for one of our producers to help a neighborunderstand production practices or an IPPA staffmember fielding a challenging question or giving alegislative update, they have professional staff in all ofthese areas.One of our contract growers has this to say about IPPAand how it’s helped him and his operation:“The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) is astrong voice and partner in the pork industry. Thequalities of the individuals that staff IPPA are second tonone. The employees are very knowledgeable, dedicated,and hard- working champions for our industry. I havebeen fortunate to be a delegate and committee memberand have observed IPPA at work. The staff has a verypositive and proactive science- based message about thenutritional benefits of consuming pork products.This organization does the right thing as it promotesthe “We Care” principles relating to the care of ouranimals. They work with a lot of data pertaining to theeconomic impact of the pork business not only in Iowa,but nationally and globally as well.The Iowa Pork Producers Association is a tremendousorganization and as a producer I feel fortunate to havethe opportunity to work with them.” — Roger Nath,Hartley, IowaThere are several ways to get involved. There are 16committees, opportunities to visit legislators on CapitolHill, promotional grilling events, countless printedresources to assist in telling our industry story and manyother on- farm resources. There is certainly somethingthat will interest you and fit into your busy schedule.Ultimately, your efforts will assist in improving ourindustry.I urge you to right now turn to your computer and typein www.iowapork.org and see how this fine organizationcan improve your operation and how you can make adifference.Lori JorgensonIPPA Membership/Leadership Committee Member36 SEPTEMBER 2012

Become an IPPA Member!The Iowa Pork Producers Association is the professional organization representing Iowa’s pork producers. IPPA isyour voice to legislators, educators, consumers and key influencers and is directed and led by Iowa’s pork producers.IPPA producer/membersare:• Owners• Operators• Contract feeders• Managers• EmployeesIPPA annual membership duesare $20 for a single membershipand $30 for a joint membership.County membership dues varyand may increase to anywherefrom $25 to $45 for an individualmembership. If no organizationexists, producers may simply joinIPPA for $20.Membership Benefits• Representation on the state andfederal level• Determine IPPA policy positions• Communication andinformation\services• Educational programs andopportunities• Public relations services• Local, state and nationalleadership opportunities• National Pork ProducersCouncil membership• Iowa Pork CongressRepresentation on thestate and federal levelState legislators and ourcongressional representatives look toIPPA for information and support onkey issues that affect Iowa livestockfarmers. IPPA lobbyists, producerleaders and public policy staffrepresent and voice the opinions ofthe IPPA voting members.Communications servicesIPPA has a wealth of informationavailable to its members. Staff canassist with economic statistics, researchdata, production information, legalresources on livestock regulations,citing new facilities and regulationcompliance.IPPA members receive the bimonthlyIowa Pork Producermagazine, Headlines newsletterand a bi- weekly e-newsletter, IPPANews for Members, which updatesmembers on association programs,educational opportunities, publicpolicy and critical regulationinformation.Educational programs andopportunitiesSeminars, workshops and conferencesare coordinated throughout the yearto keep producers well informed ofcurrent livestock regulations, newtechnologies and issues critical to thesuccess of your operation.National Pork ProducersCouncil (NPPC)membershipAll IPPA members automatically havea membership with the National PorkProducers Council. NPPC conductspublic policy outreach on behalf of theproducer members of its 44 affiliatedstate associations. NPPC works onbehalf of IPPA members on trade, foodsafety, environmental, animal welfare,animal ID and agri-terrorism issues.Producer membersdriving policyPublic policy decisions are madeby the delegate body during theIPPA Annual Meeting, by theIPPA Public Policy Committeeand the IPPA Board of Directors.Congress prohibits the use ofCheckoff funds for legislativeissues. Therefore, governmentalaffairs programs are fundedprimarily in three ways:• Strategic Investment Program(SIP)• Revenue generated from theIowa Pork Tent at the IowaState Fair and the Iowa PorkCongress• IPPA Membership duesSIP is a voluntary fundingprogram to support public policyand advocacy programs in Iowaand on a national level. Theassessment is 10 cents per $100of value, with 40 percent of thecollections distributed to IPPAand 60 percent to NPPC.How do I participate?For more information, or tobecome a member, contactyour county pork producerorganization or Kelly Sheetsat IPPA at (800) 372-7675 orksheets@iowapork.org.SEPTEMBER 201237

Safety Reminder for Pumping and Agitating Pits• Review your emergency action plan with allworkers and have emergency contact numbersavailable at the site.• Provide continuous ventilation to prevent agas build-up. Increase ventilation during pitagitation to quickly dissipate released gases.Sufficient ventilation or exchange of air in thebarn is essential in all cases to keep the methaneconcentration below its explosive threshold. Runventilation fans at maximum speed.• Make sure your normal ventilation inlets, curtainsor ventilation pivot-doors are open and operatingproperly to ensure good air distribution in thebarn. This is also important in preventing animaldeaths while the manure pit is agitated andpumped.• To keep from igniting an explosive methaneconcentration, turn off heater pilot lights andother non- ventilation electrical systems thatmight produce an ignition spark. In the eventthere are small animals in the building that needsupplemental heat, it may require that you onlypump manure from the barn on warmer days or awarmer part of the day.• When pumping pits that are close to beingfull, pump without agitation until manure isabout 2 feet below the slats. This will allow pitfans to perform properly during agitation andprovide more dilution space for methane andother gases that are released.• Ensure that all people are out of the buildingand clearly tag all doors noting that thebuilding is unsafe for entry during agitationand pumping. Leave walk-in doors locked toprevent human entry.• Stop agitation when the manure level does notallow agitation below the liquid surface.• Continue maximum ventilation for thirtyminutes after pumping has ended beforere-entering the building.• NEVER enter a building or manure storagestructure when liquid manure is being agitatedor pumped.Please utilize this tag for your fall pump out. If you would like more tags, please contact IPPA at 1-800-372-7675.38 SEPTEMBER 2012

Reminder – It may be time to renew your PQA Plus ®site statusWhen was your hog operation last site assessed? If itwas around three years ago, it may be time for you toupdate your Pork Quality Assurance Plus site status.Site assessments are a crucial part of the PQA Pluscertification program. Site certification shows aproducer’s commitment and interest in producinga safe, quality product while at the same timepromoting animal well-being and a safe environment.Please keep in mind, your PQA Plus site status onlyremains current for a period of three years. Thismeans you will want to renew your site status beforethe end of these three years.Site assessments provide a mechanism, based uponpast assessment results, for review of past concernsand the success of corrective activities. This processenables an operation to benchmark its activitiesbased on past performance and to identify areas ofimmediate and future concerns. A site assessmentshould include physical evaluation of facilities,a review of appropriate documentation and anassessment of the animals directly. The assessmentshould include educational and informationalaspects to help an operation improve where requiredor noted during the site assessment.Upon completion of a site assessment, a producermust submit a corrective action plan for all noncompliancesand follow-up with the PQA Plusadvisor in order to receive site assessment status.The frequency of site assessments will remain at thethree-year renewal time frame.If you have any questions regarding your site status,please contact Dinah Peebles at DPeebles@pork.orgor (515) 223-2795.The Iowa Pork ProducersAssociation has developedbiosecurity signage for producersto display at property or facilityentrances.These signs are now available forIowa pork producers at no charge.“Adequate biosecurity is a keycomponent of PQA Plus as it relatesto animal health and food safety,”says Tyler Bettin, IPPA producereducation director. “We are glad toprovide this resource to interestedproducers at no charge.”Interested producers should contactBettin at (800) 372-7675 ortbettin@iowapork.org.SEPTEMBER 201239

Conduct a presentation for elementary students–Contact a local elementary school and give apresentation on modern pork production. Focus onhow pork is raised and the byproductsof pork and sponsora pizza party to discuss thetoppings that include pork.Tell pork’s story – Tap into theyounger generations by hostingstory time at a local library. Reada fun agriculture story such asWelcome to Our Farm.Get involved with FFA or 4-H– As members of FFA and 4-Hgrow into successful adults, it’s necessary to have theirsupport for the future of pork production. Considerpartnering with a local FFA chapter or 4-H club to hostan appreciation barbecue in celebration of Pork Month.The same can be done with local colleges illustrating theopportunities for success and employment in the porkindustry.Conduct in-store promotions – Offer samples of a varietyof pork products, along with recipes, by partnering witha local grocery store/retailer or restaurant. Work with thebusiness to offer an October Pork Month special. Also, usethis opportunity to highlight the new 145 degree cookingtemperature and pork’s nutritional value.Pork producer appreciation event – Successful porkproducers who exhibit positive and responsiblemanagement practices are vital to the industry. It is timeto tell them thanks! Sponsor a dinner or banquetrecognizing the pork producers in your area for a greatyear and job well done. Work with local businesses andrestaurants to sponsor adiscount or coupon to mailout to local producers.Arrange for mediainterviews – It is vital toinform the media aboutthe pork industry and thelatest happenings. Contactyour local newspaper andtelevision and radio stationsand offer to do an interviewhighlighting October PorkMonth. Run a newspaper or radio ad saluting porkproducers in your area.Grill – What better way to celebrate October PorkMonth than to grill and provide pork to producers andconsumers? Grill at a local business or event, such as afair or town celebration. Take it a step farther and grillpork at the local elevator or co-op for agriculturalists asa quick and convenient meal.The Iowa Pork Producers Association will be happyto provide brochures that can be handed out atevents and assist you with any promotional activitiesyou want to have.We encourage you to tell our story, have some fun andcelebrate National Pork Month in October!SEPTEMBER 201241

HSUS notifies swine operations of intentto sue for failure to file air emissionsrelease reportsBy Eldon McAfee, IPPA legal counselThe Humane Society of theUnited States issued a pressrelease July 11 stating that itnotified a number of what itcalled “industrial-style intensivepig confinement operations”that it intends to sue themfor“unreported releases of thehazardous pollutant ammonia”at 1 sites located in Iowa, NorthCarolina and Oklahoma.The notices of “intent to sue” sentto the producers are requiredunder EPCRA to be sent at least60 days before lawsuits can befiled in federal court.HSUS indicated that the suitswill be brought under thefederal Emergency Planningand Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and willallege that these operationshave exceeded the minimumcontinuous release reportingrequirements under EPCRAfor “harmful contaminants.”It appears HSUS is basing itsclaim that these operationshave exceeded the minimumreporting requirements onstandard, non-site specificcalculations normally used toestimate emissions for planningpurposes.It also appears HSUS obtainedinformation as to whether theseoperations had filed EPCRAcontinuous release reports fromstate environmental agenciesthough open records requests. InIowa, HSUS filed open recordsrequests with the Iowa DNR onMarch 20 and March 30, 2012,requesting EPCRA reportinginformation.The EPCRA reportingrequirements which HSUS allegeshave been violated arise as a resultof an EPA rule change on Dec.18, 2008, that went into effecton Jan. 20, 2009. Under this rulechange, all livestock operationswere exempted from hazardousrelease reports under CERCLAand reports under EPCRA foroperations with less than 1,000animal unit capacity. Manyoperations with more than1,000 animal units that had notparticipated in the Air EmissionsConsent Agreement in 2005 filedthe EPCRA continuous releasereports in January and Februaryof 2009.The Iowa Pork ProducersAssociation will closely followthis situation and provideupdates.42 SEPTEMBER 2012

Iowa attorney general petitioned to probeHSUS fundraising practicesHumaneWatch.org, a project of the nonprofitCenter for Consumer Freedom, has petitioned IowaAttorney General Tom Miller to investigate thedeceptive fundraising practices of the animal rightsgroup Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).HumaneWatch.org released a full report July 12exposing HSUS’s misleading telemarketing, directmail and television appeals. The new analysis revealsthat the animal rights group’s fundraising activitiesmight be more than just dishonest, speculating thatthese tactics could violate some charitable solicitationor consumer protection laws in Iowa.HSUS doesn’t run a single pet shelter and localshelters aren’t seeing much of HSUS’s donations, withseveral local organizations going so far as to changetheir names in order to prevent donor confusion.“The truth is HSUS knows what opens Americans’wallets and it’s not photos of HSUS’s sad-lookinglawyers and lobbyists,” continued Wilson. “If HSUSwants to spend its donations funding its PETAlikeagenda, it shouldn’t be doing it on the backsof America’s needy pet shelters and by misleadingAmericans.”The new report delves into years of HSUS’s directmail, telemarketing, and television appeals, whichactively perpetuate the misperception that HSUS’sprimary focus is to care for abandoned and abusedcats and dogs. However, a look through the group’stax returns reveals just 1 percent of its multi-milliondollar budget goes to local hands-on shelters andrescues. That’s a surprise to many of HSUS’s owndonors. Recent public polling by ORC Internationaldetermined that 71 percent of Americans mistakenlybelieve that HSUS is a pet shelter umbrella group,and 68 percent wrongly think that HSUS spendsmost of its money on pet shelters.“HSUS is a factory fundraising machine, suckingvaluable dollars out of local communities withits advertisements that mislead donors intobelieving a majority of its budget benefits localcats and dogs,” said J. Justin Wilson, CCF’s SeniorResearch Analyst. “HumaneWatch’s new reportclearly demonstrates that HSUS is fully aware of itsdeceptive fundraising tactics.”The report documents multiple occurrences ofHSUS misrepresenting its work, including anappeal for donations in 2010 that begs donors to“please send your best new membership gift of $8,$12, $15 or as much as you can give to protect andsave precious puppies’ and kittens’ lives.” However,SEPTEMBER 201243

News from theNational Pork Producers CouncilDrought spurs RFS waiver requestA coalition of meat and poultry organizations,including the National Pork Producers Council, hasformally asked the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency to waive the federal mandate for theproduction of corn ethanol.In a petition delivered to EPA Administrator LisaJackson July 30, the coalition asked for a waiver“in whole or in substantial part” of the amount ofrenewable fuel that must be produced under theRenewable Fuels Standard (RFS) for the remainder ofthis year and for the portion of 2013 that is one yearfrom the time the waiver becomes effective.The RFS requires 13.2 billion gallons of corn-basedethanol to be produced in 2012 and 13.8 billion gallonsin 2013, amounts that will use about 4.7 billion and 4.9billion bushels, respectively, of the nation’s corn. Someagricultural forecasters now are estimating that just 11.8billion bushels of corn will be harvested this year – about13 billion were harvested in 2011 – meaning corn-ethanolproduction will use about four of every 10 bushels.The RFS has “directly affected the supply and cost of feedin major agricultural sectors of this country, causing thetype of economic harm that justifies issuance of an RFSwaiver,” said the coalition in its petition.It pointed out that EPA was granted the authority inthe 2005 Energy Policy Act, which set the initial RFS,and in the 2007 Energy Independence and SecurityAct, which expanded the fuels standard, to waivebecause of severe economic or environmental harmthe annual volume of renewable fuel that must beproduced.In asking Jackson to take prompt action to provide ameasure of relief for livestock and poultry producers,the coalition petition said, “It is abundantly clear thatsufficient harm is occurring now and that economicconditions affecting grain supplies and feed prices willworsen in the months ahead. Both conditions providean independent basis for a waiver of the RFS.”Iowan testifies on how trade barriers arehurting small hog farmersAn Iowa pork producer testified on behalf of theNational Pork Producers Council in late July on theforeign trade barriers that adversely affect him andother small producers.Jim Boyer from Ringsted appeared before the HouseSmall Business Committee’s agriculture, energy andtrade panel.Boyer explained to the committee how non-sciencebasedsanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures thatrestrict market access of U.S. pork translate into lostvalue on the pigs that he sells and hurts his bottom line.Unscientific food-safety and health barriers erected byforeign countries are costing pork producers and theU.S. economy billions of dollars in exports.In his testimony, Boyer spoke out in support ofa strong SPS chapter with a meaningful disputesettlement provision as part of a Trans-Pacific44 SEPTEMBER 2012

Partnership Agreement. He also urged eliminationof SPS barriers that have severely restricted U.S. porkexports to the European Union, Taiwan and Russia.Get agriculture’s input on fire standardIn the hometown of a Forefather of Americandemocracy, the National Pork Producers Councilargued against animal-rights groups that would denydue process to livestock and poultry farmers whowant to have input into national fire standards thatwould affect their operations.On Aug. 7, NPPC urged the National Fire ProtectionAssociation (NFPA), which sets fire standardsadopted by state and local governments and used byinsurance companies, to continue working with theagriculture community to develop “sensible solutions”to address fires in animal housing facilities. Animalrightsactivists argued against allowing farmers tohave a voice in the process.In June the NFPA’s full Technical Committee votedto amend a standard to require the instillation ofsprinklers and smoke control systems in all animalhousing facilities, including livestock barns, and torequire quarterly inspections of those systems. Thevote was contrary to a previous 19-0 vote againstthe amendment by NFPA’s Technical Committee onAnimal Housing Facilities.After NPPC and a coalition of agriculturalorganizations appealed the proposed amendments,NFPA reversed its decision and agreed to work withstakeholders to determine fire risks in animal housingfacilities and to develop practical solutions targetingthe risks.The agricultural groups had concerns about theamended standard’s overbroad and impractical natureand the health and biosecurity issues that likely wouldarise because of its inspection requirement. They alsoadmonished NFPA for initially failing to provide anadequate opportunity for stakeholder participation inthe standard-setting process.Your participation in the StrategicInvestment Program allows theNational Pork Producers Council andstate organizations to enhance and defend your opportunities tocompete at home and abroad.Negotiate for fair trade (import/export)Fight for reasonable legislationFight for reasonable regulationInform and educate legislatorsProvide producers direct access to lawmakersProactive issues management with mediaSecure and guide industry research fundingEnhance domestic and global demandProvide producer information and educationStrategicInvestmentProgramMandatoryPorkCheckoffFunding $0.10/$100 $0.40/$100Your voluntary investment is NPPC’s primary source of funding;Checkoff dollars cannot be used for public policy funding.The National PorkProducers Council (NPPC)conducts public policyoutreach on behalf of its44 affiliated stateassociation membersenhancingopportunities for the success of U.S. porkproducers and other industry stakeholders byestablishing the U.S. pork industry as a consistentand responsible supplier of high quality pork to thedomestic and world market.NPPC is primarily funded through the StrategicInvestment Program, a voluntary producer investmentof $.10 per $100 of value that funds state and nationalpublic policy and regulatory programs on behalf of U.S.pork producers.For more information on NPPC, visit www.nppc.org.SEPTEMBER MaY 201245

News from theNational Pork BoardSow housing researchThe Pork Checkoff has funded$1.2 million in scientific researchon sow housing over the lastdecade that shows a number ofproduction systems can workwell for pigs. However, the sowhousingissue continues to makeheadlines.To date, eight states have enactedlegislation limiting gestationstall use. Also, there has been aflurry of announcements frompork industry customers seekingto require suppliers to providepork from sows housed in groupsrather than gestation stalls.According to Sherrie Niekamp,the Checkoff director of swinewelfare, Checkoff studies relatedto gestation housing have rangedfrom evaluations of spaceallowances for group-housedsows, to an analysis of the cost ofsow housing conversion, whichresearchers have projected to costthe pork industry $2.7 billion to$3 billion based on changes inthe net present value of existingfacilities.“In any pork production system,the most important tool aproducer has is the ability toprovide care of each animal,”Niekamp said. “We hope theresearch findings will helpproducers fine-tune and improvethe way they take care of sows byusing science to evaluate housingsystems.”There are four main literaturereviews that summarize theavailable science comparingindividual housing to grouphousing. The reviews help theindustry provide science-basedanswers on this issue.For more information, contactNiekamp at SNiekamp@pork.orgor (515) 223-3533.The National Pork Boardhas responsibility forCheckoff-funded research,promotion and consumerinformation projects andfor communicating withpork producers and thepublic. Through a legislativenational Pork Checkoff,pork producers invest $0.40for each $100 value of hogssold. The Pork Checkofffunds national and stateprograms in advertising,consumer information,retail and foodservicemarketing, export marketpromotion, productionimprovement, technology,swine health, pork safety andenvironmental management.For information on Checkofffundedprograms, porkproducers can call the PorkCheckoff Service Center at(800) 456-7675 or check theInternet at www.pork.org.46 SEPTEMBER MaY September 20122012

SEPTEMBER 201247

Coalition to Support Iowa’s FarmersNews and NotesFarmer Phil educates fairgoersabout livestock productionThe Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers introduced anew way to engage fairgoers about the importance oflivestock and the coalition at the 2012 Iowa State Fair.Posters and cutouts of the Farmer Phil illustrationwere located in the CSIF-sponsored Avenue of Breedsin the swine barn and at various CSIF partner areasaround the fairgrounds. Farmer Phil representedresponsible Iowa livestock farmers who do the rightthing to ensure they are raising animals in a safe andenvironmentally-sound manner.Fairgoers were able to pick up a free Farmer Philhand fan and Iowa farm facts along the Avenue ofBreeds. Fair visitors were encouraged to take photosof the Farmer Phil fan at various locations around thefairgrounds and post them on CSIF’s Facebook pageat facebook.com/supportfarmers or tweet them. Thosewho took advantage of the opportunity were enteredinto a daily prize drawing.“There’s so much to see at the Iowa State Fair thatwe wanted to find a fun, interactive way to engagefairgoers about the importance of livestock andwhat CSIF does to help Iowa’s livestock farmers,”said Brian Waddingham, CSIF executive director.“Through Farmer Phil, we could share someinsights on how livestock is raised and cared for onfarms today.”The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers wascreated by farmers to help farmers raise livestocksuccessfully and responsibly. It’s a joint partnershipinvolving the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, IowaCorn Growers Association, Iowa Farm BureauFederation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, IowaSoybean Association, Iowa Turkey Federation andMidwest Dairy Association.The non-profit, non-partisan organization providesassistance to farmers at no cost. CSIF does not lobbyor develop policy. Farm families wanting a helpinghand can contact the Coalition at (800) 932-2436.48 SEPTEMBER 2012

PorkRECIPESFresno PorkRoastCaramel Apple PorkChopsNutrition FactsCalories: 330 caloriesProtein: 30 gramsFat: 18 gramsSodium: 100 milligramsCholesterol: 100 milligramsSaturated Fat: 6 gramsCarbohydrates: 12 grams4 boneless pork chops, 3/4-inch thick2 tablespoons brown sugarsalt, to tasteblack pepper, to taste1/8 teaspoon cinnamon1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg2 tablespoons butter2 medium tart red apples, cored and sliced into 1/2-inchwedges3 tablespoons chopped pecansHeat skillet over medium-high heat. Saute chops 8 minutes,turning occasionally, until internal temperature on a thermometerreads 145 degrees F, followed by a 3-minute rest time. Remove;keep warm. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, salt, pepper,cinnamon and nutmeg. Add butter to skillet; stir in brown sugarmixture and apples. Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes or just untilapples are tender. Remove apples with a slotted spoon andarrange on top of chops; keep warm. Continue cooking mixturein skillet, uncovered, until sauce thickens slightly. Spoon sauceover apples and chops. Sprinkle with pecans. Serves 4.3 pound boneless pork loin roast1 tablespoon sugar2 tablespoons cornstarch6 ounces canned pineapple juice6 ounces orange juicedash saltdash ground cloves2 tablespoons lemon juice1 pint fresh strawberries, hulledand slicedPlace roast in a shallow roastingpan. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 60 minutes (20 minutes perpound), until internal temperature on a thermometer reads145 degrees F. Remove roast from oven; let rest about 10minutes. Meanwhile, combine sugar and cornstarch in mediumsaucepan. Stir in pineapple and orange juices and cook,stirring, over medium heat, until mixture bubbles and thickens.Remove from heat and stir in salt, cloves and lemon juice. Serveroast with sauce, and garnish with strawberries. Serves 6.New MexicanBack Ribs3-4 pounds pork back ribs1/4 cup chili powder1 tablespoon onion powder1 tablespoon ground cumin2 teaspoon salt1 1/2 teaspoons oregano1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon cayenne, (ground redpepper)In small bowl, stir together allseasoning ingredients. Rub ribson all surfaces with seasoning rub.Nutrition FactsCalories: 345 caloriesProtein: 44 gramsFat: 11 gramsSodium: 91 milligramsCholesterol: 113 milligramsSaturated Fat: 4 gramsCarbohydrates: 16 gramsFiber: 1 gramsNutrition FactsCalories: 713 caloriesProtein: 46 gramsFat: 56 gramsSodium: 1429 milligramsCholesterol: 214milligramsSaturated Fat: 20 gramsCarbohydrates: 7 gramsFiber: 3 gramsPlace ribs on a medium-hot grill over indirect heat; close grillhood and grill until ribs are tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. (addmore charcoal briquettes to fire, if necessary, to maintain grilltemperature of about 325-350 degrees F.) Serves 4SEPTEMBER 201249

P R O D U C E R S ’ M A R K E TPlaceyour adhere!ADVERTISINGWORKS.THEIOWA PORK PRODUCERSELLS!Contact Doug Fricke for moreinformation on how to reachIowa’s pork producers.(800)372-7675dfricke@iowapork.org50 SEPTEMBER 2012

P R O D U C E R S ’ M A R K E TSEPTEMBER 201251

Iowa Pork Producers AssociationP.O. Box 71009Clive, IA 50325-0009NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGEPAIDDES MOINES, IAPERMIT NO. 191152 SEPTEMBER 2012