Marshall man serves as delegate at Pork Act Delegate Assembly

Friday, March 9, 2007

Walt Swier, a pork producer from Marshall, served as a delegate at the Pork Act Delegate assembly March 1 to 3 in Anaheim, Calif. Swier was named a delegate by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns in January.

Swier was one of 154 delegates who represented producers from 46 states and importers who sell pork products in the United States. The delegates are charged with helping to provide direction to the pork promotion, research and consumer information programs that are funded by the Pork Checkoff through the National Pork Board. Producers contribute 40 cents of every $100 of sales to the Checkoff, and importers use a sales formula to contribute a similar amount. That money helps producers pay for pork promotions such as the Don't be blah™ consumer campaign, TheOtherWhiteMeat.com Web site and research into animal welfare, food safety, environment and other topics.

"Pork Checkoff programs continue to yield positive results for pork producers, creating a more favorable market for pork and products. U.S. Pork broke export records for the 15th consecutive year. We're proud of the role Pork Checkoff funds have played in building global demand for U.S. Pork. We're focusing on extending that record in 2007 and looking at future opportunities to capture the world market," said Swier.

The National Pork Board approved a 2007 budget for national programs of $34.7 million. About $18.4 million, or a little over half, is designated for positively impacting customer's purchases of pork.

"Many of the National Pork Board's desired outcomes for 2007 reflect a commitment to increasing demand for pork products," said Swier. "The consumer response to the Don't be blah™ marketing campaign has been very positive and is providing producers a return on our investment."

The Checkoff also is at work in ongoing programs that include efforts to provide science-based answers and educational opportunities including:

-- Neighbor-to-Neighbor -- an industry-image enhancement program, based on the success of Operation Main Street, working through pork producers on the local level.

-- Pork Quality Assurance Plus ™ will provide a workable, credible and affordable solution to assure food safety and animal care in the pork industry.

-- Take Care, a program to guide producers to use antibiotics responsibly.

-- The pork consumer preference benchmark study consists of consumer taste panels, trained taste panels and a risk assessment to lower the recommended endpoint cooking temperature to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

The National Pork Board has responsibility for research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest 40 cents for each $100 value of hogs sold. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, education and technology, and swine health, pork quality and safety. For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Producer Service Center at 1-(800) 456-PORK.

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