hogs

A recent court ruling will reduce pork line speeds through the New Swine Inspection System (NSIS). According to some industry analysts, if this decision is left unchallenged before June 30, it will result in a 2.5% loss in pork packing plant capacity nationwide, and more than $80 million in reduced income for small U.S. hog farmers. The impact is even higher in Ohio and surrounding states due to reliance on regional meat packing plants that have been utilizing the higher line speeds.

“With over 25% of the nation’s hog slaughter capacity enrolled in the NSIS program, we are concerned over the immediate, adverse impact this would have on hog producers as it would significantly decrease slaughter capacity in these plants,” wrote American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall in a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The hog industry has suffered greatly over the past several years, combating market volatility stemming from African Swine Fever, packing capacity and supply chain issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and trade implications from some of our country’s largest pork importers. Reduced slaughter capacity in plants is yet another challenge producers must endure, threatening their livelihoods and ability to provide the food our nation depends on.”

Farm Bureau is urging the Biden administration to use all means necessary to ensure that producers have the surety that their current capacity and contracts with the companies and plants affected remain intact at their current levels.

At the state level, Ohio Farm Bureau has been engaging directly with stakeholders impacted by this ruling and is working with them to seek out solutions.

“Our farmers cannot withstand another financial hit. Just as we are returning to normalcy, another looming disaster threatens their livelihood and prosperity,” said Cheryl Day, executive vice president of the Ohio Pork Council. “The court ruling will affect Ohio’s pork producers and trickle down throughout the entire economy. The state’s hog production generates 11,500 jobs and an estimated $439 million of personal income. All of this could be in jeopardy if this damaging court ruling stands.”

Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.
Mandy Way's avatar
Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
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Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.
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Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Farm Bureau involvement has taught me how to grow my professional and leadership experience outside of the workforce and how to do that in a community-centric way.
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Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
With not growing up on a farm, I’d say I was a late bloomer to agriculture. I feel so fortunate that I found the agriculture industry. There are so many opportunities for growth.
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Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
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Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.
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Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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