Oklahoma Pig Farmers Continue to Care for Employees, Animals During COVID-19 Pandemic
By Chelsea Mabry
Even with a worldwide pandemic affecting the industry, pork producers have worked diligently to make sure they are putting pork on the table for consumers across the country.
Roy Lee Lindsey, okPORK executive director, said the commitment pig farmers show on a daily basis has not wavered.
“It takes a lot of faith to breed a sow today and think in 10 months her pigs will be going to market.”
In the last few months, pig farmers have spent countless hours in conversation about the outcome of COVID-19, Lindsey said. They are planning for a number of different scenarios and are continuing to show the resilience farmers are known for around the world.
Tina Falcon and her husband have been involved in the pork industry since 2002. They own two pig farms in Oklahoma. One is located in Tecumseh and the other in Paden. They have worked continuously through this pandemic.
At this time Falcon said both farms are still working at full capacity.
“We already have a very strict biosecurity program we follow on our farms,” Falcon said. “We have enhanced biosecurity to help ensure our employees stay safe.”
Falcon said they provide their employees with masks, gloves, and multiple bottles of hand sanitizer. They have asked all employees to take extra precautions when leaving the farms.
All across the state, pig farmers are continuing to move forward with their everyday operations. Dottie King, an owner and operator of two farms, said she has weekly meeting with her employees to remind them of the importance of following CDC guidelines.
“Our number one focus has always been on our pigs,” King said. “But with COVID-19 the priority had to shift some to the employees to make sure they stay well.”
King said her employees know they are essential workers and they really take it to heart. They have taken every measure to stay safe so they can continue to work and produce pork.
Along with diligently working to keep the farm running, both Falcon and King stay committed to their community.
Early in the COVID-19 outbreak, Falcon partnered with her church and okPORK to host a dinner to serve those in her community and to provide a boost to them in this uncertain time.
“I love when I can volunteer” Falcon said. “It brings so many important things in my life together - community, faith and farming.”
King participated in the 14th annual Pre-Memorial Day Blood Drive that okPORK Council host each year.
“Giving blood is just another way that I could give back,” King said. “I feel that I have something that everyone needs, and I truly enjoy sharing”
Producing pork does not stop. Pig farmers will continue to push on to serve the people of their communities.
