|
 A new report released by
Iowa State University shows the pork industry as a major contributor
to the overall Iowa economy. Nearly 65,000 jobs are provided
to fellow Iowans, making pork production in Iowa one of the major
employers to a state with a population of only three million.
Authored by Dr. John Lawrence and Dr. Dan
Otto, both Extension Economists for ISU, The Iowa Pork Industry
2003 -- Patterns and Economic Importance shows that even though
the current hog inventory of 15.8 million is less than it was
in 1970 and 1980, the impact of the current pork industry is
critical to the economic viability of Iowa's rural towns.
"With almost $12 billion of annual economic
impact, the impact of property taxes, as well as local option
sales taxes that are given back to local communities is very
significant," said Dr. Otto. Taxes generated from pork production
fund local schools, neighborhood improvement projects, county
road maintenance and many other public service programs, helping
both the young and elderly residents.
The pork industry creates an annual payroll
of over $2 billion paid to Iowans. "This includes not only
those directly involved in pork production, but feed suppliers,
processors, transportation and distributions specialists, environmental
consultants and equipment manufacturers," said Dr. Otto.
 Hogs in Iowa last year
consumed almost 241 million bushels of corn, valued at $530 million.
"Corn is the main ingredient in swine diets, and the major
cost of production for Iowa pork producers," said Dr. Lawrence.
Soybean meal and feed supplements accounted for another $569
million of purchased inputs from suppliers and grain farmers
in Iowa. "That volume of sales helps support soybean prices,
the soybean processing industry, local elevators and transportation
services based in rural communities," said Dr. Lawrence.
"Regardless of size, or ownership of
the pork enterprise, major inputs such as feed, labor, utilities,
trucking and other services are provided locally," said
Dr. Otto. "Those communities that are losing their share
of pork production will lose economic activity as well."
The full report can be found on www.iowapork.org.
|
The pork industry provides:
|
|
 |
Nearly 65,000 jobs to fellow
Iowans |
|
|
|
Almost $12 billion in annual
economic impact |
|
|
|
Over $2 billion in annual payroll
income |
|
|
|
Over $3 billion in gross state
product |
Iowa's pork production:
|
|
|
Saw an inventory of 15.8 million
head in 2003, compared to 16.3 million head Iowa had in 1970 and
1980. |
|
|
|
Makes up 26% of total U.S. hog
inventory |
In *2002, Iowa producers shipped in 14.8 million
feeder pigs, compared to 1.4 million in 1990.
In 2002, Iowa producers farrowed 53% of the
hogs marketed in the state, compared to 94% in 1990.
Iowa has 10,000 hog operations.
*2002 is the last available data
|
|
|