The Minnesota Pork Board administers programs relating to pork promotion, consumer and producer education and swine research on behalf of the 4,400 Minnesota pork producing families who pay into the mandatory Pork Checkoff.
WHAT IS PORK CHECKOFF FUNDING?
U.S. pork producers and importers pay 40 cents per $100 of value when pigs are sold and when pigs or pork products are brought into the United States.
A percentage of the annual Pork Checkoff collections return to state where the funding originated. Minnesota's return is 17 percent of the total amount collected in the state. An outside auditor annually reviews the spending of Minnesota's Pork Checkoff dollars to assure the money is used in accordance with federal law.
(Left) Karen Richter of Montgomery, National Pork Board Executive Board member. (Top) Minnesota Pork Act Delegates Meg Freking, Doug Wenner, Pat Thome, Bill Crawford, Pat FitzSimmons.
(Top) Minnesota Pork Act Delegates Tim Waibel, Mary Peichel, Jackie Tlam, Curt Johnson. (Left) Minnesota Pork Board President Bill Crawford speaking in support of an advisement regarding PRRSV elimination.
(Top) Karl Johnson of Mankato, a past National Pork Board President, visits with delegates about various Pork Checkoff Program.
(Top) Dianne Bettin of Truman, chairperson of the Pork Checkoff Demand Enhancement Committee, presents the new pork promotion.
2011 Pork Act Delegate Advisements & Resolutions
KEY RESULT AREA: Demand Enhancement - PASSED
RESOLUTION NUMBER: DE - 1
SUBMITTED BY: Wisconsin Pork Producers
SUBJECT MATTER: Public Schools Balanced Information
0MOTION: That the National Pork Board evaluate current resources and explore additional opportunities to provide the public school system balanced information on modern agriculture and its role in feeding people and helping to provide safe, wholesome and affordable food.
KEY RESULT AREA: Revenue and Finance - WITHDRAWN RESOLUTION NUMBER: RF - 1
SUBMITTED BY: South Dakota
SUBJECT MATTER: Increase in Checkoff Rate MOTION: That the Pork Act Delegate Body consider raising the Mandatory Pork Checkoff rate by $.05 from $.40 to $.45 per $100.00 value.
MOTION: That the National Pork Board continue to be engaged in the PRRSV elimination discussions that prioritize research and education towards continued development and application of tools and strategies with the goal of elimination of the PRRSV virus.
Learn About the Pork Act Delegate Selection Process
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announces the appointment of 152 pork producers and six importers to the 2011 National Pork Producers Delegate Body prior to Pork Congress. Allappointees will serve a one-year term. The appointees were selected from nominees submitted by state pork producer association and importer groups.
“These appointees represent a cross section of the pork industry and I am confident they will strive to improve the pork industry’s important position in the marketplace,” said Vilsack.
Appointed members representing pork producers by state are:
Alabama: Luther Bishop, Francis M. Morris
Alaska: Richard C. Worrell, Patricia R. Worrell
Arizona: Donald E. Davidson, Michael D. Terrill
Arkansas: Jenae N. Antonick, Steve C. Stephan
California: Rachelle A. Bailey, Kenneth L. Dyer
Colorado: Brett B. Rutledge, Dwain A. Weinrich
Connecticut: Charles E. Rowland
Delaware: John B. Tigner, Jr, Henry C. Johnson IV
Florida: Ricky N. Lyons, Louisa J. Lyons
Georgia: Glenn Derochers, Dania S. DeVane
Hawaii: Patsy M. Oshiro, Wayne I. Shimokawa
Idaho: Douglas B. McAdams
Illinois: Michael E Haag, Dereke A. Dunkirk, Todd A. Dail, Phillip J. Borgic, David L. Conrady, David D. Dedert
Indiana: Randall C. Curless, Michael S. Lewis, Mark R. York, Samuel D. Moffitt
Iowa: Roger W. Nath, Jamie M. Schmidt, Mark J. Meirick, Donald H. Toale, Susan G. Carlson, David D. Struthers, John P. Weber, Heather S. Lindberg-Hora, Stephen J. Burgmeier, Michael L. Deahr, Rodney G. Dykstra, Gregg K. Hora, Chad R. Keppy, Steven L. Kerns, Gregory R. Lear, Curtis D. Meier, David E. Moody, Dale G. Reicks, Marvin J. Rietema, Craig J. Rowles, Max S. Schmidt, Norman R. Schmitt, Leon C. Sheets, Scott W. Tapper, Bill J. Tentinger, Joel D. Van Gilst, Eugene D. Ver Steeg, Heidi T. Vittetoe, John E. Vossberg, Todd A. Wiley
Kansas: Peter K. Sherlock, Michael L. Springer, Kent F. Condray, Alan J. Haverkamp
Kentucky: John S. Medley, Jr, James R. Coates
Louisiana: Louis J. Lirette, Rebecca L. Lirette
Maine: Barrett A. Parks, Deena A. Parks
Maryland: Thomas G. Hartsock
Massachusetts: Lisa D. Colby
Michigan: Edward L. Reed, Fred H. Walcott
Minnesota: William L. Crawford, Patrick L. Fitzsimmons, Margaret E. Freking, Curtis J. Johnson, James F. Merritt, Mary L. Peichel, Nathan S. Potter, Timothy A. Waibel, Sheila A. Schmid, Patrick E. Thome, Jacqueline S. Tlam, Douglas K. Wenner
Mississippi: Terry W. Emerson, Ronnie K. Fagan
Missouri: Scott G. Hays, James E. Fisher, William D. Kessler, Scott W. Phillips
Montana: Donald L. Herzog, John W. Rauser
Nebraska: Troy D. McCain, Janice S. Miller, David L. Harrington, Ryan E. Mead, Shane C. Meyer
Nevada: Becky A. Louk, David S. Louk
New Hampshire: Doreen R. Gitschier, Donna M. Abair
New Jersey: Salvatore J. Villari
New York: Sandra L. Hartman, Edward S. Keller
North Carolina: George H. Pettus, Henry E. Moore III, David D. Herring, Zack McCullen III, Donald P. Butler, Timothy H. Craig, Lloyd B. Outlaw III, Miles T. See, James L. Lamb, Janet K. Archer, Elam R. Summerlin, Jr.
North Dakota: Kenneth R. Omlie, Nanci R. Neuman
Ohio: Alan J. Evers, Jim L. Albaugh, Jean H. Bell, Charles A. Wildman
Oklahoma: Joe C. Popplewell, Basil S. Werner, Karen D. Brewer, David P. McMullen
Pennsylvania: Jeffrey D. Arner, David A. Reinecker, Kurtis P. Good
South Carolina: Larry B. DeHart, Mark A. Mcleod
South Dakota: Clarence J. Wurtz, Ryan C. Storm, Steven R. Rommereim
Tennessee: James W. Mathis, Jamey C. Tosh
Texas: Melton H. Harms, Jason D. Pooley, Kenneth L. Kensing
Utah: Dwight D. Potter, Todd N. Ballard
Virginia: Brandon R. Horsley, Donald F. Weaver
Washington: Paul M. Klingeman, Sr., D’Angelo Belton
Wisconsin: Gary G. Skalitzky, Mike E. Salter
Wyoming: Kurt A. Purkeypile, Joan F. Malone
Importers appointed to the Delegate Body are: Ole Nielsen, Stig H. Kjaeroe, Albert F. Pish, David E. Biltchik, Frank D. Jensen and Kok Yan Chiu.
Established under the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1985, the Delegate Body and the National Pork Board have implemented a national program designed to improve the pork industry’s position in the marketplace. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service oversees operations of the Delegate Body.
Representation on the Delegate Body is based on annual net assessments collected on sales of domestic hogs within individual states, with a minimum of two producers from each state. States have the option of not submitting nominees.
Delegates meet annually to recommend the rate of assessment, determine the percentage of assessments that state associations will receive and nominate producers and importers to the 15-member National Pork Board. The Delegate Body will be seated during the March 2-6, 2011, National Pork Industry Forum in Phoenix, Arizona.
The program is funded by an assessment currently set at 0.40 percent of the market value of all hogs sold in the United States. An equivalent amount on imported hogs, pork and pork products is also collected.
Pork Checkoff Honored John Mabrywith Distinguished Service Award
The Pork Checkoff honored John Mabry, director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University, as the winner of its Distinguished Service Award. He was recognized at the National Pork Industry Forum in Phoenix, March 3-5, 2011. The Distinguished Service Award is given annually to recognize the lifelong contribution to the pork industry of an outstanding leader.
“When John entered the industry with genetic consulting work, there was a real need out there to help people develop breeding systems and genetic systems that would maximize the heterosis and reproduction values,” said Everett Forkner, a pork producer from Richards, Mo., and National Pork Board vice president. “He brought that to the industry in a timely fashion; and covered a need that was there. He helped to direct the genetic programs and systems that were not there. Through those efforts, John had a large influence on the betterment of the pork industry.”
Mabry’s keen insight and experience has given him the broad perspective to see not only the past and present, but to work on influencing the future of the pork industry as well. His passion is to see the American pork industry continue to lead the world in technology, innovation, and production.
“I think it is going to be important that we position ourselves so we can be economically sustainable, but if we don’t look out at the environment we operate in, if we don’t keep our social aspects in line, we are not going to be allowed to produce,” said Mabry. “I think we are really going to have to work hard, not only to do our job right, but also to promote ourselves properly, and survive in a new paradigm.”
New National Pork Board Campaign Evolves To Celebrate Proud New Brand Identity: Pork® Be inspired
With a new focus on reaching creative, flavor-seeking home cooks who already prepare, eat and love pork, the National Pork Board today announced a new branding position celebrating pork's ability to offer a wide range of options in the kitchen. With PORK® now as the brand, the new campaign of: Pork® Be inspiredsm shows pork's place in almost any menu, day part, cuisine and lifestyle, based on pork's unique combination of flavor and versatility as the source of kitchen inspiration.
The new, fully integrated campaign features an updated look and feel, along with a new consumer target: the more than 82 million Americans who already cook, eat and love pork. Moving from a functional to a more emotional positioning, the campaign voice is proud, energetic, approachable and unapologetically optimistic about the unique attributes of the world's most popular protein.
Evoking the taste of backyard barbeques, new and attainable flavor combinations or mid-week meals on the go, the bold product imagery celebrates one juicy, tender, flavorful pork meal after another.
"Our research shows that pork's top consumers are looking for more than basic education; they're looking for inspiration. With its great taste and versatility, pork is the ideal catalyst to inspire great meals," said Ceci Snyder, vice president of domestic marketing for the National Pork Board. "While our new target represents our biggest fans, we believe they have the potential and desire to enjoy pork more often - and to inspire others to do the same."
"We produce pork and are proud of it," said Dianne Bettin, chair of the Domestic Marketing Committee and a producer from Truman, Minn. "Pork Be inspired will celebrate the wide range of meals that pork offers, give new ideas to our new consumer target and influencers and move the needle on pork sales both at retail and foodservice."
The new campaign rolls out this March and April, and includes national advertising, public relations, social media, retail and foodservice marketing, as well as activation by state pork associations. Enthusiastic about this renewed approach, 2011 advertising media spending has more than doubled that of recent years. All elements will showcase inspiring new ways to enjoy pork more frequently, with a range of meal and menu options, Snyder said.
Rallying "Pork Champions"
Recent consumer segmentation research from the National Pork Board found that 82 million Americans are "Pork Champions" - men and women who are predominantly medium to heavy fresh pork eaters with a strong passion for pork that they are eager to share. This group of "flavor-seeking creatives:"
Represents approximately 28 percent of U.S. households but accounts for roughly 68 percent of all in-home fresh pork consumption and 50 percent of all away-from-home fresh pork consumption.
Enjoys cooking and experimenting with new flavors in the kitchen, understands how to cook pork, and in general looks at life with a positive outlook.
Nearly 25 years ago, the Pork® The Other White Meat® campaign was conceived to reposition pork as a healthful protein source. Today, Pork Be inspired goes beyond basic cooking education and health to promote a deeper, more personal level of engagement with existing pork consumers, Snyder said. However, The Other White Meat campaign will play a role as a heritage brand, with use on the consumer web site and in nutrition communications. The Other White Meat campaign will not be featured in advertising.
"Our new campaign communicates to the legion of pork fans that pork is delicious, versatile and can stand on its own," added Snyder. "Pork is what consumers write on their shopping list or order in a restaurant. To those that love pork, it requires no comparison to the other meats. The range of meals drives new ideas - and appetites - for pork."
Digital advertising starts March 7 with paid search and web sites that reach the National Pork Board's new target, with creative directing to a new website URL, www.PorkBeInspired.com.
Starting April 11, national television advertising includes both network and cable.
Print advertising begins in April in food and lifestyle publications, using a unique three-page, consecutive right-hand pages to communicate pork's ability to inspire numerous meal ideas.
Minnesota Pork Board President
