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Kruithoff named Michigan Master Pork Producer

This year’s Michigan Master Pork Producer says he remains optimistic for the future despite current challenges.

Tim Kruithoff raises 32,000 market pigs annually and row crops with his family in Kent City.

“Mom said she had me in a farrowing crate with sows processing babies before I could walk, so I have been around the pork industry and around pigs my entire life,” he shares.

He tells Brownfield every week his farm is selling three to four semi loads of pigs and he’s concerned about the impact of tariff threats.

“They are not very beneficial for pork producers because it seems like a lot of countries, the first thing that they have retaliatory tariffs against will be the pork industry, and we depend on a 25 to 27 percent export market,” he says.

Kruithoff says he also hopes the industry takes a controlled growth mindset to mitigate risks.

“I hope that we’re at a point where we’re going to have control growth, that we don’t expand too fast as an industry when prices get good,” he says. “I think we have to have a little bit of self-control in that position.”

Brownfield interviewed Kruithoff as part of this week’s Michigan Pork Symposium where he was recognized for his contributions to the industry.

The Michigan Pork Producers Association also honored Mike Warsco with their Distinguished Service Award, Brian Washburn of High Lean Pork as the Contract Grower of the Year, and Fred Kuhr from Dykhuis Farms as the Swine Herd Manager of the Year.