There is a pig in almost every state in the union, but the geographics of how they are raised vary by location. Dr. Brett Kaysen, senior vice president of producer and state engagement for the National Pork Board, said that there are forty-two state pork organizations that bring a lot of value to the National Pork Board as the eyes and ears of the industry.
?It?s promoting pork as a protein and then pig farming as a practice, but the challenges that they face as pig farmers in their state are very different,? Dr. Kaysen said. ?And so, the ability to connect with them at their annual meetings, at their board meetings, and to relay that information back to us as the national organization is extremely important.?
Dr. Kaysen said the ability to attend state meetings and trade shows has given him insight into top issues for the industry, and that includes foreign animal disease control.
?It quite simply is the biggest risk to our business, not only in terms the catastrophic loss that it could create but let us not forget that in 2022, 27.5 percent of the pork produced was exported,? Dr. Kaysen said. ?So, there’s a huge export disadvantage if one of these diseases were to come to our shores.?
Dr. Kaysen said interactions at a state level have brought numerous leaders to the National Pork Board, including himself.
?And one day, I got a call out of the blue from one of my mentors, Everett Forkner out of Missouri, and he said, ?Dr. Jason, I think you should run for a seat at the National Pork Board?s board of directors,?? Dr. Kaysen said. ?And if it wasn’t for him interacting with me at a state board level to a national board level, I would have never taken that step, but I’m forever grateful.?
For more information on this year?s National Pork Industry Forum or leadership opportunities, visit porkcheckoff.org.
