U.S. pork producers have embraced sustainability advancements for more than five decades.

January 15, 2021

3 Min Read
Hog farm barns pigs FDS operation.JPG
National Pork Board

Environmental sustainability is a core value for U.S. pork producers. We deeply care about the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land that we farm. It’s critical that we preserve America’s beautiful natural resources for future generations.

Although sustainability has become a buzzword in recent years, pork producers have been stewards of the land well before it was cool. For more than five decades, U.S. pork producers have embraced advancements that have allowed them to do more with less. That’s why the National Pork Producers Council recently launched a new campaign, “Farming Today for Tomorrow,” to showcase U.S. hog farmers’ long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and support for further reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Ohio’s pig farmers have a long-standing commitment to preserve the land, produce safe pork, and safeguard the industry for future generations

Many of our farmers have been involved in cutting-edge research and state-of-the art programming to support environmental sustainability. For Duane Stateler, NPPC board member and a farmer from McComb, Ohio, conservation is important to the future of his family operation., “They’re not making any new ground. It’s invaluable to us that we protect and preserve what we already have,” he said. He’s among numerous hog farmers featured in NPPC’s campaign.

Hog farmers also care about protecting water quality. In Ohio, there are numerous programs that are focused on water quality that include pork producers as participants. Since 2016, Stateler Family Farms has played an active role in the Blanchard River Demonstrations Farms Network, a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative project designed to showcase and demonstrate leading edge conservation practices to improve Great Lakes water quality. By participating, the Statelers have been able to utilize edge-of-field monitoring to analyze their crop farming practices and ensure they are protecting the soil, water and land.

Ohio pig farmers are also participating in the Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative (OACI), a partnership between agriculture, conservation, environmental and research communities to recognize farmers for their dedication to advancing methods that improve water quality in Ohio and increase the number of best management practices on farms. Through OACI, farmers can participate in the Farmer Certification Program, which provides a free, confidential analysis of current farming practices. In the coming years, OACI strives to create a universally recognized farmer certification program to increase adoption of best management practices and recognize farmers who demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement.

What’s more, farmers around the country are working on their own initiatives towards a better tomorrow. Organizations like NPPC work tirelessly to advocate for farmers and provide resources to improve daily farming practices. Cutting-edge research from partners like these enable our farmers to make real progress towards sustainable farming, a reduced environmental footprint, improved water quality, and more.

Pig farmers in Ohio – and across the country – know that we must take care of what we are given. We must farm today for tomorrow. 

Cheryl Day is the executive vice president of the Ohio Pork Council, which serves 2,500 farmer members.

 

Source: Cheryl Day, Ohio Pork Council, are solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly owns the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

 

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