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Labor, animal disease, and domestic consumption among pork challenges

The senior vice president of producer and state engagement with the National Pork Board is hearing about common challenges throughout the swine industry.

Brett Kaysen attended Minnesota Pork Congress this week and says as he’s traveled the country this winter, three general themes keep getting brought up.

“Number one is labor, labor, and labor. There continues to be this churn, this ask, this desire, what can we do to recruit more people from a farm-level labor source? And when I say labor, they’re talking about the total talent pipeline, but they’re really focused on that in barn slat-level labor.”

He tells Brownfield foreign animal disease is another concern, but so are endemic diseases.

“Like PRRS, like PEDv. They continue to destroy and erode our profitability, and it’s really hard on our people. So swine health continues to be a big focal point.”

And Kaysen says producers are also eager to increase the volume and value of domestic pork consumption.