Did you get everything your heart desired for Christmas? I know I did and then some from my generous family members.

However, I will still have to go out and do some shopping for myself. No one ever seems to take me seriously when I put things like sweats and socks or towels and toiletries on the list each year. I know I can easily go out and buy those things for myself. I just despise doing so. I'll probably just add that to my growing list of New Year's resolutions of things I can and need to do.

I wish it could be that easy with some of the wishes on U.S. pork producers' list this past year. While we had success in keeping African swine fever out of U.S. herds; will soon be back in business with Japan, Mexico, Canada and somewhat back with China; and gained extra funding for additional agricultural inspectors and members of the Beagle Brigade at our borders, we had some wishes that still need to be addressed. For some of those wishes to be fulfilled, red tape will need to be cut and more effort across the aisle; for others, it may have to come from heaven above.

From the National Pork Producers Council, the National Pork Board, the Swine Health Information Center and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians to the North American Meat Institute, U.S. Meat Export Federation, American Feed Industry Association and the USDA, and everyone in between, we have listened over the last year to your concerns, challenges, aspirations and visions for the future of the U.S. pork industry. And while we could have made this 2020 U.S. pork industry wish list much longer, we decided to narrow it down to the top 20 we have heard most often. We hope we have captured your sincere wishes for 2020.