Iowa pig farmers from around the state nominated 30 delegates and 8 alternates for the 2020 Pork Act delegate meeting that will be held in Kansas City next March.  The nominated delegates and alternates will need to be confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture before they can be seated on the national delegate floor.

The Iowans  were selected June 12 at a public meeting for all Iowa residents who are pork producers that pay the checkoff and are 18 or older.  Following the nomination process of the delegates, many of the pork producers participated in the Iowa Pork Producers Association Committee Day, where decisions about using Checkoff dollars at the state level are made.

Producers at the meeting also heard from a panel of veterinarians on prevention and preparedness regarding foreign animal diseases with a focus on African swine fever.

Responsibility of Pork Act Delegates

The national Pork Act delegates play an important role in shaping the Pork Checkoff, and deciding on programs that will help meet the challenges and opportunities faced from farm to table by the pork industry.

At the national meeting in Kansas City, more than 160 delegates from around the country will provide direction on pork promotion, research and consumer and producer education priorities funded by the Checkoff. To fund programs, America’s pork producers contribute 40 cents of every $100 of sales to the Checkoff.

The role of the Pork Checkoff is to promote and enhance consumer pork demand on a global basis, as well as to invest in research designed to improve production practices and safeguard the pork supply, the environment and animal well-being. Building consumer confidence and educating America’s pig farmers about livestock production practices through training and certification programs also are key priorities.