Producer profitability top goal of new Iowa Pork Producers Association president

Posted Jan. 29, 2010

Helping producers return to profitability will be the number one goal of the new president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association.

John Weber from Dysart in Tama County assumed the association’s leadership position at the conclusion of the IPPA Annual Meeting in Des Moines Jan. 26.

Low market prices, high feed costs and negative impacts from the Novel H1N1 Influenza Virus have kept most pork producers in the red for more than two years and Weber says the IPPA Board’s primary goal in 2010 will be to do everything it can to help producers return to profitability.

“Obviously, we can’t control markets but we can put producers in touch with people who have market expertise,” Weber said. “Helping producers find financial advice and consultation also can be done.”

The economic dilemma has caused consolidation in the pork industry in the past year and Weber believes the number of producers could continue to decline this year.

“I think Midwest producers weathered this economic downturn better than our Eastern and Southern producers,” Weber said. Unfortunately, we won’t be immune to consolidation in Iowa as financial pressure continues to show up in the state’s hog industry.”

Economic recovery will be the biggest challenge for pork producers this year, according to Weber. He also expects some state regulatory challenges, and the state’s budget concerns could impact agriculture. On the federal level, Weber says antibiotic regulation, Cap and Trade and free trade agreements will be key issues in 2010.

The owner and manager of Valley Lane Farms, Weber is a family farmer and independent producer who has raised hogs for 37 years. He is now in the hog finishing business and markets 9,600 hogs a year in partnership with employees.

Weber served as the IPPA president-elect in 2009 and has been on the board of directors for the past eight years. He has been vice president of market development and a district director and he’s chaired various IPPA committees. Weber has served on National Pork Board committees and he’s a long-time member of the Tama County Pork Producers.

“I’m honored to be given the opportunity to serve Iowa’s pork producers and I’m looking forward to representing them as their president in 2010,” said Weber.

John Vossberg, a pork producer from Janesville who served as IPPA president in 2009, is now past-president of the organization.

-30-