Beagle Brigade Steals the Show at World Pork Expo

Story by Oklahoma Pork's Matti Carlile

Meet Ozcar! Ozcar, also known as Oz, is a member of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Beagle Brigade. He and his handler, Sari Hall, attended World Pork Expo to showcase their important work protecting the U.S. swine herd. Although there are several smells at WPX, Hall explained Oz knows when he’s working and when he’s not on duty. When he wasn’t doing a demonstration, Oz stayed close to his handler sitting patiently and enjoyed the kids petting him. However, during the demonstration, Oz was ready to show off his skills. He found an apple and a meat stick amidst a line of packed luggage . So far in his career, Oz has found plants, fruit, vegetables and meat. His most recent find at the airport was a load of sapling trees.

The Beagle Brigade is made of over 100 dogs that work across ports of entry throughout the United States. These dogs are mainly beagle mixes. They like to use beagles in airports because they aren’t intimidating, plus these pups famously have an excellent sense of smell. A person would likely see a member of the Beagle Brigade coming back from an international trip. If you were looking specifically for Oz and Hall, you can typically find them at one of the Chicago airports.

Their job is to find illegal agriculture products. They are trained to sniff out five to six scents depending on their assigned location. The five scents are apple, mango, citrus, pork and beef. When they smell one of those scents that should not be in a traveler’s luggage, they simply sit. The handler can say “show me” and the dog will put their nose on the location of the scent they picked up. To get this impressive job, the beagles go through extensive training that lasts up to 13 weeks. Each beagle is paired with a handler who has a complementary personality. Hall would describe both her and Oz’s personalities as “chill.”

A typical work week for the Beagle Brigade teams ranges from three to five days sniffing thousands of bags and packages. They work in one hour increments so Oz doesn’t get too overwhelmed with smells. He is almost five years old, so just over halfway through his career. The dogs normally retire around nine years of age, and Hall plans to adopt Oz when that time comes.

The Beagle Brigade is able to detect things technology cannot. Programs like this help keep the United States soil free of diseases like African Swine Fever (ASF). As Hall and Oz’s vests say,“Protecting American Agriculture” is their duty. Click here to meet others in the Beagle Brigade,or learn more about The Beagle Brigade Act here.

Oklahoma Pork Sponsors Meat Science Event

This weekend, the American Meat Science Association (AMSA)'s 77th Reciprocal Meat Conference (RMC) will kick-off at the Omni Hotel in Oklahoma City. The four day conference will bring together hundreds of professionals and students throughout the livestock and food industries for learning, networking and more.

With an event so connected to the pork industry happening right here in Oklahoma, an opportunity for the Oklahoma Pork Council to serve as an RMC sponsor made perfect sense. As part of our sponsorship, Oklahoma Pork, in collaboration with Oklahoma State University’s Animal and Food Science Department and Ralph's Packing, will provide 800 pork sticks for event participants to pack for families staying at Oklahoma City's Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) location near the Oklahoma Children's Hospital. These pork sticks will provide a nutritious snack and a little encouragement, thanks to the thoughtful "You got this!" Oklahoma Pork label created by Oklahoma Pork's Shay Stegmann. After being included with other great protein items into backpacks for RMHC families, the sticks will be available at the charity's shelf-stable pantry for deserving families to enjoy throughout the next few months.

The Ronald McDonald House is no stranger to generosity from pork producers. Our farmers have donated hundreds of pounds of pork products to this worthy organization in recent years. The charity provides a free, comfortable place to stay for families of seriously ill or injured children who are receiving inpatient care from the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital. Each year, RMHC OKC serves hundreds of families who come from nearly all counties in the state. Learn more about donations needed at RMHC OKC here. We are proud to continue sharing pork with this special audience!

Get to Know Outreach Intern Gus Ward

Story Written by Gus Ward

. I’m Gus Ward, one of your 2024 summer interns. I grew up in Indianola, Oklahoma, on a cow-calf operation, where my family instilled in me a deep appreciation for agriculture. Throughout the years, agriculture has been more than just a hobby for me. It has been a way of life, teaching me about hard work and responsibility, and the importance of the agriculture community. This environment has cultivated my passion for the pork industry and has set the stage for my future aspirations.

My journey in agriculture really took off through my involvement in 4-H and FFA. Both organizations offered me a wealth of opportunities to learn and grow. I spent countless hours showing pigs, judging livestock, and public speaking. These experiences taught me not only about caring for my animals and the intricacies of judging livestock, but also about leadership, teamwork, and the value of community. These experiences helped form me into who I am today. They grounded me in the traditions of agriculture that I hold dear. I am currently a senior at Oklahoma State University, majoring in Agribusiness with a pre-law concentration. After graduating next spring, my goal is to possibly attend law school, eventually working in agricultural policy. I want to ensure the voices of farmers, ranchers, and producers, people like my family and neighbors, are heard and respected. Agriculture is more than an industry. It’s a way of life that sustains communities, economies, and traditions. I want to be an advocate for policies that support and protect something so important.

I am particularly passionate about issues like environmental regulations and trade policies, directly impacting producers. I have seen firsthand the challenges agriculture producers face and I want to help create a more favorable environment for them. Effective advocacy and thoughtful policy can make a significant difference, and I want to contribute to that positive change. At Oklahoma State, I’m not just focused on academics. I am involved in various student organizations including Pork Industry Group, which truly started my love and admiration for the pork industry. Through this program, I gained a practical understanding of issues facing producers, a well-rounded perspective about pork production, and the mindset of continuous learning.

In the end, my journey is about giving back to the community that has given so much to me. The agriculture sector is the backbone of our society, and the pork industry is a large part of that. I am eager to play my part in ensuring its success and sustainability!

What Consumer Preferences Mean for Producers

Story by Oklahoma Pork Intern Presley Pullen

Experiencing World Pork Expo through the eyes of the Oklahoma Pork Council was an adventure I won’t soon forget! Each moment in the historic city of Des Moines provided opportunities to network with industry leaders, learn about advancing technologies, and understand the diversity of pork careers.

Fellow Oklahoma Pork intern Gus Ward and I were able to embark on an Intern Tech Tour with the National Pork Board where we visited companies such as JYGA Technologies, MetaFarms, Barn Tools, Ro-Main, United Animal Health and more. At each booth, we were able to gain insight on the mission and goal of each organization and the role they play in pork production.

Sponsored by the National Pork Board, the Positioning Pork for Success: Meeting Consumers Where They Are session opened my eyes to how consumer preferences drive pork producers’ behavior. The session was moderated by Kiersten Hafer and featured panelists Sarah Showalter, Alayne Johnson, and Tony Manker. The group discussed the three main motivators of consumers: taste, balance, and convenience. In conjunction with this topic, the National Pork Board offered a typing tool personality test utilizing your eating habits to place you in one of seven categories as a pork consumer.

As you can see in the photo above, I am a “simple feeder.” I learned I prioritize convenience over nutritious content and prime taste and flavor. I am more concerned about getting through the meal to keep on with my day than breaking down the source of protein I am consuming.

Oklahoma Pork Council team member Matti Carlile is a “confident meat eater.” She incorporates pork into her diet any chance she gets. Gus is a “culinary adventurer”, seeking every opportunity to try the most unique item on the menu and experiment with recipes at home. It’s important we recognize this audience and maintain positive relations with our top consumers.

The industry leader panelists introduced the consumer segmentation process and shared mind-blowing statistics from their research. An impressive 80% of pork consumption is consolidated in just 24 states, with millennials consuming less than half the pork per capita of Baby Boomers.

Alayne expressed her insight on combatting this issue, aligning directly with the National Pork Board: building trust and adding value. Tony was able to provide examples of how his company is using technology to appeal to consumers. Providing advertisements with QR codes linked to recipes, consumers are able to start with the big picture and learn new ways to incorporate fresh pork cuts into their diet. Sarah highlighted the growing popularity of easy-to-use appliances like air fryers and slow cookers and how these instruments can attract a new audience.

The pork industry is full of leaders who place integrity at the forefront. Alayne displayed the character of pork producers when she said, “We can’t give them information that we don’t know.” I commend the National Pork Board for investing in research to track consumer preferences and truly meet our customers where they are.

As I reflect on my travels, I feel extremely grateful to have a broader view of the pork industry and the producers who keep it going! I’m leaving Des Moines with new perspectives, knowledge, a full belly and heart!

World Pork Expo Insights from Industry Leaders

Dr. Steve Meyer provided a thorough economic update at World Pork Expo, while also proudly representing his alma mater Oklahoma State University.

Story by Oklahoma Pork Intern Gus Ward

This week I had the opportunity to attend the World Pork Expo for the first time. It was a great experience to attend, not only as an Oklahoma Pork Council representative, but also as an Oklahoman! To say I am proud to attend would be an understatement as I experienced many impressive things this week such as new technologies within the pork industry, networking, and character building. Although I enjoyed every second of my time at the Iowa State Fairgrounds this week, I would say that a highlight of my time in the Hawkeye State was getting the opportunity to attend the business session called An Economic Outlook for the Pork Industry.

Joe Kerns, President of the Livestock Division at Ever.Ag, opened the session by discussing the revenue side of pork production. He stated, “Good things come to those who wait, or to those that can survive just a little longer.” Although this may sound a little harsh, I think it really highlights the resilience required to be a producer within the pork industry.

Dr. Steve Meyer, the second speaker, a personal role model of mine, and the lead economist at Ever.Ag, provided his version of an economic outlook as well. Dr. Meyer stated, “2023 was not a banner year for hog producers.” He also compared it unfavorably to 1998 but pointed out that 2021 was a very strong year. He stated that the unusual trend of pork numbers falling in 2023 despite a constant pork population over the past four years, attributing productivity gains to increased pigs saved per litter.

Other key topics discussed included the impact of recent governmental policies on agriculture. Both Mr. Kerns and Dr. Meyer discussed corn and soybean production. Dr. Meyer explained the concept of inelastic demand, where consumption remains steady regardless of price changes, which is significant for essential commodities like pork. He also discussed the economic impact of COVID-19 stimulus payments on the pork industry. He stated that these checks added about $13 trillion to the money supply and temporarily boosted pork demand, which is part of the reason that 2021 was such a great year for the industry.

Dr. Meyer provided a global perspective that I found very interesting. He stated that the U.S. will be the top pork exporter in 2024, with an 8% increase so far this year. He also highlighted that since Mexico has recently become the largest exporter of goods to the U.S., the Mexican Peso has strengthened by 22%.

Overall, the economic update at World Pork Expo was very enlightening. It provided a wealth of knowledge and valuable insights from industry leaders like Joe Kerns and Dr. Steve Meyer. Their expertise shed light not only on the current state of the pork industry, but also on the future of pork production. This trip was an exceptional start to my internship this summer. It offered an opportunity to engage with key figures in the industry and understand the opportunities within all aspects of the pork industry. I am truly grateful for this experience and excited to see what lies ahead in my journey with the Oklahoma Pork team.

Good Week of Learning and Eating in Iowa

Thankfully with improved industry conditions since last summer, more than 10,000 pork producers and supporters convened this week in Des Moines, Iowa, to share information and delicious food while checking out the latest technology and production trends. Each June, Expo serves as a great chance for Oklahoma Pork's staff and our members to learn from industry experts and connect with strong partners like our allied industry sponsors, national organization colleagues and more.

One highlight of Expo for the Oklahoma Pork crew included getting to road trip to Des Moines with our two outstanding summer interns during their very first week on the job. After a day of onboarding at our Oklahoma City office Monday, Presley Pullen and Gus Ward got to really bond with the team and board member Dr. Scott Carter during the 8-hour trek north.

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) promotion of "education, innovation and networking" remains accurate for the experiences our team enjoyed over the past few days. Our Oklahoma Pork crew learned more about Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) prevention efforts, pork priorities - like a Proposition 12 fix - in the upcoming Farm Bill, and the importance of pork's nutritional value in our messaging to consumers. Our own Kylee Deniz moderated a panel about building public trust in the industry, and our digital content creator Shay Stegmann beautifully captured it all as she took fantastic photos during her first-ever World Pork Expo experience. Matti Carlile celebrated her two-year anniversary working full-time at Oklahoma Pork by leading our group throughout the Iowa State Fairgrounds, and we all remain grateful for her constant support this week in Iowa and every week at home!

Thank you to our production companies who participated in WPX in any way, and thank you to the allied industry partners who helped make the week a worthwhile experience.

Oklahoma Pork and Oklahoma Blood Institute Partner for Successful Blood Drive

At the start of every summer, our board and staff are proud to host the Oklahoma Pork Council Pre-Memorial Day Blood Drive in partnership with the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) across the state. This annual event has long served as one of OBI's most successful drives of the year, which helps meet an increased need for the holiday weekend and beyond.

Throughout all 10 participating locations over the past two days, donors received a free pulled pork sandwich, a free bacon themed t-shirt, and free admission to Frontier City or Hurricane Harbor this summer. Although we don't have a final donor tally yet, we are confident hundreds of Oklahomans stepped up to give. One bright spot included surpassing our community goal for the Hinton pop-up mobile giving center with 19 total participants on Thursday. Stay tuned for donation totals for the entire statewide drive promoting pork in the days to come.

Thank you to our generous members and community supporters who took time to give blood this week! As we go into the busy Memorial Day weekend, there is no doubt your selfless donations will help Oklahomans in need.

Sharing Farm Bill Priorities with the U.S. Senate

At Oklahoma City's Heritage Place Sale Barn, more than 50 Oklahoma agriculture advocates came together to discuss Farm Bill priorities within our state. Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur facilitated comments from the audience and dialogue with Senator James Lankford and Senator John Boozman.

Representatives from the pork industry participated in a Farm Bill roundtable with Oklahoma's senior senator James Lankford and the Senate Agriculture Committee's ranking member John Boozman of Arkansas. This event was similar to the Farm Bill listening session hosted by Congressman Lucas at the same venue last fall, but Friday's meeting focused on the anticipated Senate version of the bill and what Senators Lankford and Boozman can do to support Oklahoma agriculture priorities throughout upcoming negotiations.

With the 2018 Farm Bill expiration extended to September 2024, the roundtable served as a helpful avenue for Oklahoma agriculturists to share what programs are most important to our state in the upcoming $400+ billion omnibus bill. On behalf of our state's pork producers, Oklahoma Pork's Kylee Deniz provided robust comments on herd health programs for U.S. livestock, Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) preparedness, and the need for a federal solution to California's Proposition 12.

Pig farmers were well represented at Friday's meeting, including board members Joe Locke and Rich Robinson, student pork advocates Molly Buckmaster, Cooper Kline, and Will Jasper, and Oklahoma Pork's staff.

Team Pork Well Represented during the Honorary State FFA Degree Ceremony

Seth Kline, Braeton Kimble, Todd Kennedy, Kylee Deniz and Tammy Kline were awarded 2024 Oklahoma FFA Honorary State FFA Degrees during the Oklahoma FFA Convention's third general session.

Last week at the 98th Oklahoma State FFA Convention held in Tulsa, 74 agricultural industry leaders received a 2024 Honorary State FFA Degree. Recipients of the prestigious Honorary State FFA Degree are educators, industry leaders, community members, farmers and ranchers, or government officials who show strong commitment to advancing agricultural education and youth leadership development. 

This year, several team pork individuals were recognized for their dedication to the Oklahoma FFA organization including Seth Kline, Braeton Kimble, Todd Kennedy, Tammy Kline and our very own Kylee Deniz. Each of these team pork recipients highlight the diverse talents and contributions that drive ongoing success for the next generation of agricultural leaders. We could not be prouder of these 5 and the others who received the 2024 Honorary State FFA Degree. Click here to see the Honorary State FFA Degree recipient listing. 

“Being granted the Honorary State FFA Degree is a profound privilege, and I am grateful to the Oklahoma FFA for this recognition and the recognition of several influential leaders in Oklahoma's pork industry. FFA holds a special place in my heart, and I am committed to continuing pork's support for the organization and its members across our state,” Kylee shared.  

Engaging with Our Future Workforce at the State's Largest Youth Gathering

This week, the Oklahoma Pork Council team had the privilege of participating in the 2024 Oklahoma FFA Convention. With over 10,000 FFA students in attendance, this annual experience offers a valuable opportunity for Oklahoma Pork to engage with young minds. 

At the convention, our team had a tradeshow booth with a focus on showcasing the diverse career opportunities within the pork industry. We were thrilled to debut an 11-question career quiz developed by past Pork Industry Group participant Madalyn Friend and her group, which was presented as their final project to the Oklahoma Pork board last fall. The "Pork Professional Test" received an overwhelming response with over 525 submissions from students eager to explore their potential in the pork industry. Take a moment to complete the career quiz for yourself!

Oklahoma Pork also led one of the six Career Success Workshops, which was attended by over 100 students. Oklahoma Pork's Executive Director Kylee Deniz had an engaging session discussing the various pathways available within the pork industry. We also distributed "merch" including sunglasses, fanny packs, Eat Pork license plates, socks and backpacks.

Plus, we are thrilled to congratulate show pig producer and Oklahoma Pork high school senior mentee Cooper Kline on securing a notable role on the 2024-2025 Oklahoma FFA State Officer Team. We are excited to see him excel in this leadership role!