Neil Dierks, CEO of the National Pork Producers Council, reflects on the development of the pork industry. He highlights these issues as the most memorable:
- Mandatory pork checkoff
- Pseudorabies eradication program
- H1N1 flu pandemic of 2009
- Application of technology
- Animal ID/premise ID
- Growth of exports
- Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome
- Introduction in marketing pork—The Other White Meat
Source: Pork, April 11, 2018, Link.
Dierks says there’s always something new. “Take a look at labor in the industry and how that leads us into immigration reform. Plus, environmental issues are always at the forefront.” He added, “We must continue to evaluate how we sell product and we create margin.”
INSIGHTS: History is important. The stories of how our industry addresses milestones are important to younger animal health pros. Share your stories, your processes and discuss them in the context of today’s business environment.