The Iowa Pork Producers Association holds its annual meeting each year during the week of pork congress in Des Moines as the president-elect moves into the role of president. At last week’s meeting Matt Gent succeeded Trish Cook as the new president of the IPPA, with Cook moving into the role of past president.
That is Matt Gent, the Washington county producer, who has spent the last six years as a part of the IPPA board. He says he never initially intended to get involved in the leadership of the IPPA when first familiarizing himself with the board, but has gotten up to speed quickly.
With a tough economic situation for raising hogs, uncertainty regarding Proposition 12 compliance, and the always looming threat of foreign animal disease 2023 was not an easy year for producers. However, Gent says he remains optimistic for 2024 because of the strength of the Iowa pork industry.
He says the bottom line remains, pork is still an affordable high quality protein choice that consumers can rely on.
For more information on the IPPA visit https://www.iowapork.org/
