(CLIVE, Iowa) - A pork producer from Nevada is the new president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association.

Dave Moody assumed the position at the conclusion of the IPPA Annual Meeting in Des Moines Jan. 22. He feels he's well-prepared for the job.

Moody has been involved in pork production for nearly 40 years and currently manages H & K Enterprise, a farrow-to-finish business that markets 12,000 hogs a year and produces gilts for DanBred North America.

With producers now seeing lower hog prices and escalating feed costs, Moody has assumed the leadership role of the nation's top pork producing state at a difficult time.

"From an economic standpoint, there will definitely be some challenges this year, Moody said, "but I'm looking forward to the challenge and excited about the opportunity to serve as president."

Moody's situation is unique in that he's believed to be the first IPPA president who doesn't own any hogs. He wants to use that fact to send a message to producers who are in a similar situation.

"I'm living proof that you don't have to own the hogs to get involved and become a leader in the industry," Moody said. "I encourage other producers to get involved in their county and state organizations."

Moody has been on the IPPA Board for nearly seven years and has been involved in the association for the past 15 years serving as chairman and member of various committee. He's a long-time officer of the Story County Pork Producers and has served as a delegate to the National Pork Board's Pork Forum. The former Master Pork Producer and Pork All-American also has worked as the county swine superintendent.

Moody succeeds Scott Tapper, a Webster City pork producer who served as IPPA president in 2007.