Pork industry weathering high input costs

4-Hers show pigs at the 2011 Livingston County Fair. (WJBC File Photo)

BLOOMINGTON – The 2011 Illinois Commodity Conference was a chance for farmers like Mike Haag to get back to representing their industries after spending a few months on the combine.

The pork producer from Emington in Livingston County serves as the president of the Illinois Pork Producers Association.

Haag said priorities for the past year have included improving the image of the pork industry and working to connect with consumers.  He applauded the Illinois Farm Families effort in this state and noted that national efforts are under way, as well.

“I really believe given the opportunity to tell a consumer why we do what we do and the reasons that we use the technologies we do to produce livestock and to produce meat for their families, that we win, if we get the opportunity to tell the whole story,” said Haag.

In his role as IPPA president, Haag has met a number of consumers this year, and usually gets a positive response from them.  He said consumers are anxious to learn and they are often impressed with the way food is raised.

“I wish we had the opportunity to get them all out on the farm and show them what we do, and show them the inside of these buildings,” said Haag.  “They’re not so scary as what the other side is portraying them. It’s just the way that we do it nowadays and it’s actually better for our animals.”

Another challenge for pork producers this year has been volatility in the grain markets. Haag said lower prices over the last few weeks have given livestock producers a needed reprieve.

“We’re probably looking at one of the better profit times we’ve had in the last few years, but we’re always nervous about a change,” Haag said.

He hopes to go into 2012 with high profits for pork producers, but he cautioned that producers need to know what their costs are and look at all of their options. Haag said they shouldn’t be afraid to take a profit when it shows up.

To hear the interview with Mike Haag, click here:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Carrie Muehling can be reached at carrie@wjbc.com.