Ohio Porkline Summer 2024 by OhioPorkCouncil

GROWING DEMAND

Next Door & Beyond

PLATINUM SPONSORS

OHIO PORK COUNCIL

2024 ANNUAL SPONSORS

PLATINUM SPONSORS

TO MEET CONSUMERS WHERE THEY ARE Taking Action

As a leader in the pork industry, I am often challenged by pig farmers to educate consumers about pork production. While it’s important to educate consumers about real pig farming, I believe it’s equally important for everyone involved in pork production to understand today’s consumers better.

It’s clear that the pork industry is not completely aligned with today’s consumers. Recognizing this disconnect, the National Pork Board (NPB) has launched a new path forward, using data to make pork more relevant through more focused, efficient, and integrated outreach to meet consumers where they are. (We first brought this to you in Porkline’s spring issue.)

The research approach, known as NPB’s Consumer Connect, has identified seven segments of consumers based on their needs, feelings, and behaviors about food. The aim is to move away from selling tactics solely based on widely recognized generational behaviors.

Food is a way for people to connect, share culture and heritage, and create memories. However, most U.S. consumers don’t have the same emotional connection with pork as they do with other proteins like beef. Additionally, modern consumers make food choices on three essential considerations - taste, balance, and convenience.

With this information, it’s beyond time to tap into these consumer segments to increase pork sales. While pork is already popular with Confident Meat Eaters and Tasty Value Seekers, we need to focus on winning over Culinary Adventurers, Mindful Choicemakers, and Simple Feeders.

With this information, it’s beyond time to tap into these consumer segments to increase pork sales.

Cheryl Day Ohio Pork Council Executive Vice President

Mission Accepted: Sell More Pork in Ohio

Ohio is one of the top states where the pork industry needs to focus on selling protein to consumers. To remain relevant among younger consumers, pork needs to win in California, Texas, New York, Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. These higher population and consumption states represent the biggest opportunity for pork sales. The Ohio Pork Team accepts this mission and understands the urgency to act now.

Ohio Pork will use the Consumer Connect playbook to coordinate and collaborate more effectively with diverse pork production partners and to activate more opportunities to sell more pork. By leveraging data and experts at the National Pork Board, Ohio Pork aims to better target consumer segments and enhance the emotional connection with pork.

The Ohio Pork Team continues to evolve how we utilize our program dollars from consumer campaigns to working with chefs to enhancing retail promotions.

Just as our March Madness campaign demonstrated so successfully earlier this year, we want consumers to see pork as a limitless, flavorful, and protein-packed option for everyone. So, this is only the beginning of what we can do.

Ohio Pork knows convenience stores, restaurant menus, and grocery stores are the path to unlocking growth for pork sales. In addition, partnering with dieticians, chefs, and retailers, and promoting pork in non-traditional spaces help us to position pork to reach more households, sell pork to more consumers, and grow total pork-eating occasions.

Mexico Takes Center Stage

FOR U.S. PORK

With all due respect to our long-time, high-value customers in countries such as Japan –it seems that our neighbor to the south might be our new best friend when it comes to purchasing U.S. pork. That’s right. According to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), Mexico is our number one export market where about 37% of our exports have gone so far in 2024 – and where more opportunity appears to be knocking.

In April alone, U.S. pork exports to Mexico climbed to record levels in both value and volume at $240.5 million and 107,594 metric tons, respectively. Meanwhile, perennial customers in China/Hong Kong and Japan came in second and third place, with South Korea making great inroads in fourth place.

Because nearly one-third of U.S. pork is exported today, growing our markets where logistics are easier like in next-door Mexico, just makes sense. This fact, coupled with what USMEF cites as Mexican consumers’ large preference for pork, is a good combination. It doesn’t hurt that the nation’s population is still growing, and much younger than the U.S. as well.

In-Country Visit

With U.S. red meat exports reaching record levels in Mexico, USMEF decided to hold the inaugural U.S. Red Meat Symposium in Mexico City last month. The goal was to examine Mexico’s economic and political climate, highlight the market’s continued growth potential and examine emerging opportunities for U.S. red meat.

By Mike King Senior Director of Communications and Public Relations

Part of the in-country experience in Mexico is understanding the traditional wet market where many consumers still purchase pork.

Joining USMEF Chair Randy Spronk and Secretary/Treasurer Dave Bruntz was Nathan Schroeder, Ohio Pork Council treasurer, a producer from Leipsic, Ohio. He participated, along with key USMEF staff from Mexico and the Denver headquarters, to emphasize the industry’s commitment to this critical market.

“The people in Mexico were extremely inviting and polite to all of us,” Schroeder said. “They very much enjoy talking with U.S. farmers who raise the pork they buy and like to hear our personal family stories. That’s what struck me the most was their genuine interest in our individual farms.”

According to Spronk, the event was a major success with an excellent turnout for the symposium, with a limit to the number of importers who could attend having to be implemented. In all, over 150 exporters and importers were on hand to showcase U.S. products.

A key component of the symposium was the face-to-face networking opportunities for U.S. suppliers and Mexican importers, including product displays and samplings. Also featured were influential speakers who offered assessments on U.S.-Mexico trade relations, Mexico’s agricultural production and digital trends in the meat industry.

Promising Future

In new statistics cited by the National Pork Board, U.S. overall pork exports are up 8% in volume and 10% in value in the first four months of this year. Also, pork exports are anticipated to grow 7-9% in 2023 compared to 2022. And clearly, much of this will come from Mexico, which has a dynamic population of 129 million people.

“On this trip, buyers and sellers were talking about demand,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom (referencing the recent symposium). “Some may see Mexico as a mature market, but it is still a growing market…there are new and emerging opportunities here for our products.”

With 25 meat companies from across Mexico taking part in the recent symposium, USMEF is hopeful that discussions on new product development and other partnerships with U.S. pork will result. The group even cited growth opportunities in the expanding conveniencestore sector, which could be lucrative for both U.S pork and beef exports.

“I would definitely recommend that more producers get involved in these types of trade visits,” Shroeder said. “If we want to expand our exports, we need to build more grassroots relationships with partners who truly value how we raise pork in the United States.”

While Minnesota’s Spronk reminds U.S. producers that Mexico has traditionally been a great market for our undervalued pork cuts – and it still is – today there seems to be a re-defining of the U.S-Mexico trade relationship that promises to build a more sophisticated partnership that can only lead to further opportunities for U.S. pork.

If we want to expand our exports, we need to build more grassroots relationships with partners who truly value how we raise pork in the United States.

Nathan Schroeder Leipsic, Ohio, producer

Nathan Schroeder (middle right) joined pork producers from Illinois and Minnesota along with National Pork Board and NPPC staff for the USMEF Red Meat Symposium in Mexico.

The Science of Connecting with Consumers

THE REAL PORK TRUST CONSORTIUM

The pork industry realizes that it must do a better job of connecting with consumers today if it’s to remain a valued and relevant protein choice into the middle of the 21st century and beyond. This goal was a driving force behind the creation of the Real Pork Trust Consortium (RPTC), funded by the Pork Checkoff, which has five collaborating research Land Grant universities.

In its first year, the RPTC has conducted research focusing on how to build trust with consumers by better understanding how past marketing efforts by the pork industry have resonated with consumers. The findings from this research will better inform how the industry interacts with consumers to improve the overall story and image of pork and producers. In fact, RPTC is keeping a running tally of its impact on its website at www. realporktrust.org/impact.

Comprehensive View

At its core, the RPTC engages in comprehensive research spanning the entire farm-tofork pork system. Everything from animal nutrition, animal behavior, the life cycle of pigs, animal welfare, and veterinary medicine to meat science, food safety, human nutrition, and environmental impact is included in creating new messaging. RPTC’s stated goal is to “conduct research to enhance communication within and across the pork supply chain.”

RPTC’s research is targeted both at producers to address consumer concerns, and the general consumer’s direct concerns about the pork production system, its sustainability, and the role pork plays in our society. To do this, research will include producer and consumer listening sessions to learn more, with a shift to more consumer listening sessions in the future.

The National Pork Board is building new partnerships to help the industry, including with dieticians. This group is vital to ensuring a full understanding of the nutritional values included in pork products and the large role that it can play in their diets.

To keep the momentum with today’s consumers about eating more pork, RPTC will continue to focus on engaging in communication and telling the farmer’s story with the assistance of transparent data and science. Above all, having conversations and showing consumers the real story and real taste of pork is crucial to maintaining the relationship and adapting to their changes in thinking about food.

Dr. Alexa Lamm University of Georgia, Science Communication Lead Real Pork Trust Consortium We need to optimize and grab this social media opportunity. We must meet consumers where they’re at. Our consumer base has really changed and so must our tactics to reach them.

—Cheryl Day, OPC

Deniz, Oklahoma Pork Council executive director

moderated a session at World Pork Expo on Building Public Trust in Pork that featured leading academic researchers collaborating on the RPTC work designed to protect farmers’ freedom to operate.

Kylee

(left),

As shown in a recent study done by the consortium, “An Exploration Into Commodity Board Communication: Social Media Considerations,” one of the most important places to improve upon is social media, which many consumers rely on for information on their diet choices.

To showcase the work they have been doing in the last year, RPTC hosted panels highlighting their findings in research efforts at World Pork Expo last month (see photo) as well at the recent National Agricultural Communications Symposium. The Real Pork Scholar program (another Pork Checkoff initiative) collaborated with many of these efforts, with nine graduate level students from universities across the country. In RPTC’s research, the main strategies for understanding and adapting to consumer change include:

• Investigating Perceptions

• Analyzing Existing Communication

• Defining Connections

• Understanding Concerns

• Assessing Environmental Impact

As part of its mission, the RPTC’s comprehensive approach, spanning the entire pork system – from farm to fork, is only half of the battle. The final yardstick of success will not only be in the findings, but in their successful integration and implementation in future communication efforts and outreach to consumers.

Day, who serves on RPTC’s advisory committee, agrees. “We are excited by the work being done by the RPTC. It’s work that is greatly needed to help ensure that we’re on the right path as an industry in how we market and interact with today’s consumers in a way that truly connects with them.”

RPTC CURRENT PROJECTS

Here are three of the Real Pork Trust Consortium’s most recent studies looking into how to connect with consumers better about pork.

1. An Exploration into Commodity Board Communication: Social Media Considerations

NPB’s social media tends to communicate pork as food rather than about the production process, impairing consumer trust. The study finds that, because consumer perceptions

FIRST DR. TONY FORSHEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

The Tony Forshey, DVM, Memorial Scholarship fund was established in honor of Dr. Tony Forshey, Ohio Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian, and dedicated swine practitioner, who passed away in 2021. The intent of the Forshey scholarship is to assist the next generation of veterinarians, devoted to food-animal production. His family, with assistance from the Ohio Pork Council, is pleased to offer the scholarship to honor the memory of Dr. Forshey, to Kendall Sattler of Defiance, Ohio.

“I greatly appreciate the recognition of my personal achievements and am especially thankful to be the recipient of the Tony Forshey Memorial Scholarship,” Sattler said. “The Ohio Pork Council does a great job recognizing and celebrating the future of the swine industry and I am hopeful that agricultural youth will continue to get encouragement like this to pursue careers in food animal production and health.”

As a leader in animal health, Forshey was well-known, and respected. He had a passion and commitment to agriculture and animal health. He practiced veterinary medicine for 27 years, with a major interest in swine production involving much of the Midwest. He was an Adjunct Associate Professor at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine from 1985-2005, while maintaining his private practice. From 2006 until 2021, Forshey was the state veterinarian and chief of animal health with the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

Kendall Sattler, daughter of Mark and Stephanie Sattler of Defiance, Ohio, has been announced as the first recipient of the Tony Forshey, DVM, Memorial Scholarship. She is pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with a focus in swine at Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

1st

2 nd

3 rd

Photos, top to bottom, left to right:

1st place team: Heath Holbert, Jeremy Smith, Kasey Smith, and Kodey Smith took top honors.

2nd place team: Roger Tedrick, Jim Scheid, David Hershey, and Jim Kline took second place.

3rd place team: Macie Hysell, Matt Davis, Jeff Alfillisch, and Pat Greene came in third.

Longest Drive: Macie Hysell (orange shirt) had the day’s longest drive.

Closest to the Pin: Kodey Smith also took home closest-tothe-pin honors.

2024 OPC PORK CHOP OPEN SCORES BIG

With 132 participants from across Ohio and nearby states, the 2024 Ohio Pork Council’s annual Pork Chop Open was a major success in Springfield last month. Aside from the great weather, golfers who purchased raffle tickets and participated in the bet-the-green “Dr. Tony Forshey” hole, made the day even brighter as these activities help fund PAC and scholarships, respectively.

“It’s always a good day when pork producers, allied industry, state government, and others can get together to share some camaraderie

at an event like Ohio’s Pork Chop Open,” said Cody McKinley, NPPC vice president of operations and state and national relations, who attended from Des Moines. “It speaks well of the strength of Ohio’s industry that such a large number are actively engaged in this and other OPC-sponsored events.”

Ohio Pork Council 2024 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

The Ohio Pork Council is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Ohio Pork Council Scholarship, OPC Women’s Scholarship, and Dick Isler Scholarship. Each year, college students involved in the pork industry apply to be considered for the program. All scholarships are open to students who are OPC members, or the child of an OPC member.

Alicia Graham is the daughter of Mike and Valerie Graham of Frazeysburg, Ohio. As a student at Ohio University –Zanesville, she studies early childhood education. Alicia is a recipient of a 2024 OPC Scholarship.

Kaylee Jennings of Felicity, Ohio, attends Oklahoma State University and studies Animal Science on a pre-veterinary track. Kaylee is a recipient of a 2024 OPC Scholarship.

Scholarships are available for college students who are completing undergraduate and graduate degrees. For specific scholarship criteria, please visit www.ohiopork.org/scholarships.

This year, the combined scholarship amount of $9,000 was awarded to students who excel in academics and as representatives of the pork industry. This year’s scholarship recipients are:

Lillian Wagner of Marion, Ohio, is an agriscience education student at The Ohio State University. Lillian is a recipient of a 2024 OPC Scholarship.

Bailey Ward of Oak Hill, Ohio attends The Ohio State University – College of Veterinary Medicine. Bailey is a 2024 recipient of an OPC Scholarship and the Ohio Pork Council Women’s Scholarship.

Jeffrey King is a student at The Ohio State University. He studies Agribusiness with a minor in applied economics. Jeffrey is from Millersport, Ohio. Jeffrey is a recipient of a 2024 OPC Scholarship.

Jocelyn Tuente of Yorkshire, Ohio, attends Bowling Green State University as an art education major. Jocelyn is a recipient of a 2024 OPC Scholarship.

Laura Wuebker, from Versailles, Ohio, attends Oklahoma State University and studies agricultural communications and agribusiness. Laura is a 2024 recipient of an OPC Scholarship and the Dick Isler Scholarship.

Carrie Zeedyk of Ney, Ohio, attends The Ohio State University as a special education major. Carrie is a recipient of a 2024 OPC Scholarship.

SWINE DAY 2024 Junior

An impressive total of more than 300 people participated in the annual Junior Swine Day, sponsored by the Ohio Pork Council and OH-Pigs program held in late March at the Union County Fairgrounds in Marysville. The day-long event, including 160 youth, was roughly double that of last year. Its ongoing popularity is due to programming emphasis to provide a hands-on way for youth and their families to get the insights and tools they need be successful in today’s show ring and in the pork industry overall.

“It was great to see such a great turnout of over 300 people altogether,” said Kayli Mitchell, OPC’s education director. “I think the participation rate reflects a solid interest in the type of programming that we’re offering to make the Junior Swine Day event a high priority on people’s calendars each year.”

Multiple experts provided attendees with a host of relevant topics during the daylong event. This included sessions on proper swine nutrition, pig health and vaccinations, animal selection and skin care, Youth Quality Assurance training, showmanship, and a hands-on biosecurity activity as part of OSU’s longstanding Swientist program.

OSU’s Dr. Andrew Bowman engages with youth attending Junior Swine Day to teach basics of biosecurity and its critical importance to today’s show ring and overall industry.

Youth participants such as Brynna Williams got some hands-on experience during the Swientist part of Junior Swine Day.

Brian Hines of Lindner Feeds shares knowledge of proper animal feed and nutrition with attendees and their parents.

OH-PIGS

Program

Director Kelly Morgan and OH-PIGS

senior member

Sydney Schiff provide a swine showmanship demonstration for participants.

MAKES GREAT STRIDES Leadership Class

In less than six full months into 2024, the Ohio Pork Council’s firstever class of Ohio Pork Leaders has gotten off to a fast start on their path of comprehensive leadership development. Whether it’s talking to consumers in their hometowns, legislators in Columbus, or prepping for media interviews, this group of young people has only begun to reveal its full potential.

Message & Media Training

“Watching this group in just a few months already begin to develop and expand their leadership capabilities is very encouraging and gratifying,” said Cheryl Day, OPC executive vice president. “This group is certainly on their way to helping us expand our state’s next generation of ag leaders, especially inside the pork industry.”

While the art of telling one’s own farming story is vital to authenticity, having some understanding of how to best reach today’s consumer is critical for communication success. This was the heart of a daylong session the class participated in recently. (See bottom photo.) Along with two of OPC’s communications partners, the OPC team shared keen insights into what kind of messaging resonates best with today’s Ohio consumer by delving into OPC-funded research on the topic. Also, the group saw what kind of misinformation about Ohio agriculture exists as well.

Politics 101 & Bacon

The day’s sessions ended by putting all this newfound information and training to the test by conducting mock media interviews –which were handled very well despite the OPC team making it a challenging exercise.

The leadership class spent a full day and evening (see photo on right) both learning about Ohio’s legislative process and those who make it work thanks to OPC’s collaboration with its partners at Bricker & Graydon, who are registered lobbyists.

While Cheryl provided the class with the basics of grassroots lobbying efforts, NPPC’s Josh Scramlin offered an update on the organization’s current legislative priorities. Rounding out the day was Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge, who provided his insight into what makes Ohio agriculture work inside of the state’s political system.

“Even though we are only half through the year, it’s amazing to see how much the class has learned and the confidence that I see growing in many of the participants,” said Kayli Mitchell, OPC’s education director. “I can’t wait to see how the rest of the year goes as this group continues to grow in its leadership abilities.”

Other key speakers for the class during its day in Columbus were Rep. Don Jones and Rep. Bob Peterson, both of whom have helped get Ohio H.B. 503, the “feral swine bill” passed in the House.

Making the day in Columbus truly complete for the class was OPC’s annual Evening with Bacon event that saw a record number of legislators from both sides of the political aisle attend. This gave the class the opportunity to interact with key politicians and help to underscore the importance of H.B. 503 to Ohio’s pork industry.

Pelleted starting feed or great to use later on for plainer hogs with excess condition.

Great

Excellent choice for gilt development and hogs with excess muscle.

Designed for hogs that are extreme in their muscle shape and deﬁnition.

AT THE 2024 OHIO STATE FAIR! Join Us

It’s nearly time for 12 amazing days of the Ohio State Fair! And once again, the Ohio Pork Council is gearing up for all the fun with exciting events to promote pork and our great industry all while we give back to our statewide community. With so much excitement and good pork-filled fun, don’t miss out on all the various activities listed below that begin on July 24 and go through August 4. Remember that a few of this year’s events are in new locations, so be sure to take a minute to find us on the new map accessible to the right.

Taste of Ohio

Stop at the new Taste of Ohio pavilion located on the south side of the fairgrounds (North Commercial Building) to pick up a delicious and nutrition-packed pork meal. The Taste of Ohio pavilion will be open every day of the fair from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Breaking Boundaries

Join the Ohio Pork Council for the second annual Breaking Boundaries Pig Show! Youth swine exhibitors from across the state team up with young participants with disabilities to show a pig in the show ring in front of a cheering audience. The show will take place in the O’Neill Swine Building on July 26 at 5 p.m.

26th Annual OPC Rib-Off

Watch as teams from all over Ohio compete to cook the best ribs and pulled pork, in addition to concocting some amazing BBQ sauce. Fairgoers can try their hand at judging by tastetesting and voting for their favorite team for the People’s Choice award. The Rib-Off will be held in its usual location between Central Park and Kiddieland on July 30 at 11:30 a.m.

Scan the QR code to go to the Ohio State Fair map!

Prepare for Summer with Cooling Supplies from Farmer Boy

Battle for the Bacon Showmanship

Come support your favorite Ohio legislators as they try their hand at showing pigs in front of an audience and judge. The Ohio Pork Council is again partnering with the Ohio Department of Agriculture in this “Legislators Battle” in the show arena. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. on July 31 in the O’Neill Swine Building.

Sow Birthing Display

Throughout the fair, the Ohio Pork Council will keep its tradition of having a sow birthing unit alive during this time of change at the fairgrounds so our non-farm friends can see this miracle of life firsthand. You can find the display, complete with educational material, in the OVMA Animal Care Center daily during the fair.

IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE! Pork Power

Across Ohio, our state’s pork producers are making a real difference in helping to ensure that those in need have access to high-quality, nutritious pork protein. As part of outreach from the Ohio Pork Council’s annual Pork Power program, tens of thousands of hungry Ohioans will get the dietary protein they need to have healthier, more productive lives.

“It’s a good feeling to know that as pork producers we’re collectively helping to feed those in our state who truly need this assistance,” said Nick Seger, OPC president and producer from Minster. “I’ve seen the real difference that this kind of program can help make when we partner with organizations who have the connections and volunteers to make it all happen.”

For many years, through this initiative, OPC has made pork available to hundreds of local food pantries across the state through partnerships often with bigger, regional food banks. Perennial collaborators have been the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, the Toledo/Northwest Ohio Food Bank, and the Cleveland Food Bank. Others, such as the SAME Café, local Salvation Army posts and the like are added in as conditions and opportunities arise.

According to the recent 2024 Feeding America Impact Report, outreach like OPC’s Pork Power initiative is essential as the hunger rate among people living in America is the highest it has been since 2014. It puts food insecurity rates at nearly 16% in northwest Ohio, far above the 13.5% national rate, which is already hard to fathom.

Cleveland and Northeast Ohio

“I can’t stress enough how important these donations are to make sure that we’re getting the food out to the people who need it the most,” said Karen Pozna, Director of Communications and Events for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. “The need is still greater than ever.”

Toledo and Northwest Ohio

“A meat donation like this is beyond words,” said Courtney Schmidtke, Head Chef of SAME Café, a nonprofit restaurant based in downtown Toledo. “It is vital for our guests to have high-quality meat to give them the protein, iron, and vitamin B vitamins that they need to stay healthy and happy. Since many of the guests lack fulltime shelter, they need a protein like pork to give their bodies the energy they need to survive whatever environment they are in the most.”

“We are very appreciative of this donation and for the ongoing relationship we have with the Ohio Pork Council,” said James Caldwell, president, and CEO of Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank. “In being part of this organization for 30 years, I can tell you that working with our state’s farmers for donations like this makes a difference in our ability to serve those in need in our eight-county area.”

Columbus and Central Ohio

“The Ohio Pork Council has been a steady leader in caring for its fellow Ohioans and we are honored and thankful that the membership has once again chosen to donate $3,000 for helping feed its neighbors,” Craig Traux, director of corporate partnerships at MOFC said. “Pork is a popular and healthy protein, and we are glad to offer that option with these funds.”

OPPORTUNITIES AT STATE FFA CONVENTION OPC Highlights Pork

The 96th annual Ohio FFA State Convention and Expo brought together a record number of FFA members, Agriscience Educators, supporters, and agricultural industry representatives in Columbus, Ohio, May 2-3, 2024 – and the Ohio Pork Council was there to be a part of it, representing our industry.

Opportunities to attend educational sessions, hear from keynote speakers, gain recognition for successes, and visit the Trade Show & Career Expo were endless for the over 9,000 Ohio FFA members in attendance. With over 40 exhibitors in the expo, students spent time learning about careers in all facets of agriculture, including the pork industry.

OPC loaded up and headed for Convention for the second year, where staff members Kayli Mitchell and Saydee Baughman had the opportunity to visit with attendees and learn more about their career interests, while promoting careers in the pork industry.

Ohio FFA members that visited the Ohio Pork booth were challenged to an “OH Pork Scavenger Hunt,” that took them across the aisleways of the convention center and through the Ohio Pork Council digital platforms to complete the scavenger hunt for a prize. Countless FFA members also stopped by to snap a polaroid photo in the “OH Pork Careers Photo Booth,” where Kayli and Saydee spent time discussing FFA successes and career ambitions, many of these conversations centered around the vast number of opportunities in the pork industry.

With just two full days spent at the Ohio FFA State Convention, it is evident that the future of agriculture and the pork industry is bright, especially at the hands of the young leaders being developed through programs like Ohio FFA.

OPC’s Saydee Baughman and Kayli Mitchell (behind table) interacted with the thousands of Ohio FFA youth who attended the annual convention in Columbus last May. Creating more awareness on careers in the pork industry and building excitement about Ohio agriculture was the focus.

Don’t Miss the OPC-Sponsored

NORTHWEST

OHIO RIB OFF!

This year marks Ohio Pork Council’s debut sponsorship of the long-standing music and pork-filled Northwest Ohio Rib Off. Come see what the buzz is about on July 26-28 as thousands come to enjoy great ribs, good music, and good times at the Lucas County Fairgrounds in Maumee. And this year, they’ll see that Ohio’s pig farmers are supporting this great event through lots of OH Pork signage and messaging. Big name concerts include Gin Blossoms, Brett Young, and America’s Van Halen Experience. Details and tickets are available at: blademediakit.com/nworiboff/

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past 50

REPRESENT NATION IN DC Ohio Producers

It was a great weekend in our nation’s capital late last month as thousands descended upon Washington’s famed National Mall and surrounding area to attend the 32nd annual Barbecue Battle.

Ohio Pork Council, along with pork associations from Illinois, Iowa, and Pennsylvania, sponsored Team Pork’s participation as part of the USO Military Chef Cook-off. In collaboration with National Pork Board staff, including Elaine Otte and Neal Hull, the more than two dozen chefs tried to outcompete their peers using only 1,000 pounds of pork as the protein.

Consumers who filed into the USO competition did so after purchasing tickets to sample the various entrees and then voting for their favorites. This is largely where OPC representatives Rich Deaton, a producer from New Madison, and Jess Stevens, a producer from Waynesville, were on hand to interact with them about the virtues of pork.

“It was an honor to be there representing producers from Ohio and around the nation,” Stevens said. “It was certainly refreshing to be in a venue that is outside of the box for us as producers and to interact with today’s consumers in a fun way while knowing they are there for pork and barbecue.”

According to Deaton, “We might have been the only two farmers in downtown Washington during those two days, but that’s what made it fun. We got to talk with consumers but also with some amazing chefs who create food for many very important people in the military and the government every day.”

From a positioning standpoint, Stevens likes how the event helped showcase pork as a highly nutritious protein even for very active military personnel. “Just as we farmers support the pillars of safe, wholesome, nutritious food, our military do so likewise by protecting our liberty at home and abroad – it’s a parallel that to me that goes back to our focus on people, pigs and the planet.”

OUR EDGE

IS HOG MARKETING.

UPI hog marketing services include:

• Advanced Hog Marketing

• Marketing of Finished Hogs

• Feeder Pig Division

• Vaccination Programs and Procurement of Breeding Stock

Saydee Baughman, OPC staff; joined Elaine Otte and Neal Hull both NPB staff; along with NPB Board Member and Ohio producer Rich Deaton, to prepare for the crowds to come at last month’s BBQ Battle in Washington, D.C., at the pork-sponsored USO booth.

Jess Stevens, (left) a producer from Waynesville, Ohio, was interviewed by Bama BBQ TV while at the DC BBQ Battle.

Duane Stateler Owner Stateler Family Farms McComb, OH

“As my family celebrates nearly 150 years of raising pigs, I ﬁnd it more important than ever before to support the National Pork Producer Council’s (NPPC) Strategic Investment Program (SIP). Those who farmed before me would be hard-pressed to make sense of the time and resources we must allocate to protect our freedom to operate. But, as most of our country’s population moves generationally further away from life on the farm, it’s essential that producer-led groups such as NPPC and the Ohio Pork Council (OPC) have the proper resources to tackle threats facing our industry. Whether that threat is a foreign animal disease or a regulation pushed by people that have never stepped foot in a pig barn, NPPC and OPC have a dedicated staff to handle these issues.

NPPC has been the only nationwide pork-speciﬁc advocacy group since 1970 to represent the interests of farm families like mine. I want professionals with a history of protecting producers that are well-versed in local, state, national, and international issues. By investing in SIP, those professionals not only work on my behalf but are available whenever I need them.

I invite you to become a SIP investor, so that we ensure operations like mine and yours can exist for another 150 years.”

Ohio Porkline Summer 2024

GROWING DEMAND

Next Door & Beyond

OHIO PORK COUNCIL

Sponsors

TO MEET CONSUMERS WHERE THEY ARE Taking Action

Mission Accepted: Sell More Pork in Ohio

Mexico Takes Center Stage

FOR U.S. PORK

In-Country Visit

Promising Future

The Science of Connecting with Consumers

THE REAL PORK TRUST CONSORTIUM

Comprehensive View

RPTC CURRENT PROJECTS

RPTC CURRENT PROJECTS

FIRST DR. TONY FORSHEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

2024 OPC PORK CHOP OPEN SCORES BIG

Ohio Pork Council 2024 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Ohio Pork Council 2024 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

SWINE DAY 2024 Junior

MAKES GREAT STRIDES Leadership Class

MAKES GREAT STRIDES Leadership Class

Message & Media Training

Message & Media Training

Politics 101 & Bacon

Politics 101 & Bacon

AT THE 2024 OHIO STATE FAIR! Join Us

Taste of Ohio

Breaking Boundaries

26th Annual OPC Rib-Off

Prepare for Summer with Cooling Supplies from Farmer Boy

Battle for the Bacon Showmanship

Sow Birthing Display

IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE! Pork Power

IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE! Pork Power

Cleveland and Northeast Ohio

Cleveland and Northeast Ohio

Toledo and Northwest Ohio

Toledo and Northwest Ohio

Columbus and Central Ohio

Columbus and Central Ohio

OPPORTUNITIES AT STATE FFA CONVENTION OPC Highlights Pork

Don’t Miss the OPC-Sponsored

Don’t Miss the OPC-Sponsored

NORTHWEST

OHIO RIB OFF!

OHIO RIB OFF!

Rely

REPRESENT NATION IN DC Ohio Producers

OUR EDGE

IS HOG MARKETING.