Industry outlook is positive, says outgoing IPPA president
By Jean Caspers-Simmet
simmet@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 02/09/2012 3:42 PM
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DES MOINES —Outgoing Iowa Pork Producers Association president Leon Sheets of Ionia said the outlook is positive for Iowa's pork industry.
"The prices we receive for our product are on the upper end of what we receive," said Sheets during an interview at last week's IPPA annual meeting. "Last summer, prices got to a little over $1 and right now summer futures are in the upper nineties. We're moving product. Exports are up with record numbers. We've had the opportunity to purchase lower priced feed inputs."
Economists say producers can lock in $10 to $15 profits now for 2012.
"When we're making money, everyone is in a positive mood," Sheets said. "The weather hasn't been so miserable this winter. It's a positive outlook."
In his speech to delegates, Sheets said a record $1.1 billion of U.S. pork exports originated from Iowa in 2010 and a new record will be reported for 2011. Domestic pork demand improved in 2011 with predictions of an increase for 2012. The launch of the "Pork, Be Inspired," campaign has been successful.
"Another success for pork producers was USDA's approval of a new internal cooking temperature for pork at 145 degrees with a three minute rest," Sheets said.
The strong hog market allowed state and national organizations to aggressively invest in programs beyond export and domestic marketing. U.S. Farmer s and Rancher Alliance is helping agriculture to tell its positive story and the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farms is assisting livestock producers.
IPPA funded manure management research, directed dollars toward studying manure foaming in buildings with pits and invested $200,000 in the new ISU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department.
The group was busy responding to proposed legislation and regulations that would negatively impact producers, Sheets said.
He hailed the passage of trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea and urged producers to invest time and effort in the "We Care" initiativ,e which includes Pork Quality Assurance Plus, Transport Quality Assurance and site assessments.
Sheets said he carries the names of past IPPA presidents with him.
"When I thought about how to proceed, I looked at the leaders who went ahead of me," Sheets said. "Many are legends."
Sheets hopes he'll be remembered as a team player.
"I saw myself as working for the association," Sheets said. "It was a team effort and things were accomplished by leadership and members working hard. As president I was willing to be the one to stand up and answer questions and speak on our behalf."
Sheets will be past president for the coming year and will continue on IPPA, National Pork Producers Council and National Pork Board committees.
Sheets said he's had the opportunity to work "with some really great folks."
"And any time you can work with youth, it's great," Sheets said. "If you allow these kids to express themselves, they're a blast. I fear if I ever had to interview for a job against them. But that's a good sign. Our youth are good and sharp and fun to be around."
Sheets who farms near Ionia with his wife, Barb, and son, Jarrod, said that his operation broke with PRRS in early January.
"We'll deal with it, but it knocks the edge off," he said.