Memories Made in Minnesota for Interns

Written by Presley Pullen and Gus Ward

Our recent journey to Mankato, Minnesota, was a remarkable opportunity to expand our network and sharpen our professional skills. We participated in the Young Leaders in Agriculture Conference (YLAC) and the Fundamentals of Communications workshop for a total five days last week. Representing our shared passion for the pork industry and meeting other young agricultural leaders, we immersed ourselves in a week filled with learning, storytelling, and personal growth. We are proud to have the opportunity to represent Oklahoma and pork producers across our great state. 

The week kicked off with YLAC, which proved to be an enriching experience from beginning to end. We had the opportunity to attend sessions led by influential speakers who shared very valuable insights on sustainable farming practices, technological advancements in pork, and the future of the industry. The conference kicked off with Dr. Todd Dewett who shared the power of authenticity and how to be more real, more honest, and more credible as a young professional. We also heard from individuals with careers in human resources, sharing, “Don’t be the smartest person in the room. Surround yourself with smart people. That’s when you will truly grow.” 

In agriculture we talk a lot about advocacy and how to speak for producers. However, one thing we don’t necessarily discuss is finding someone who will speak up for you when you’re not in the room. This idea was reinforced throughout the entire conference and made us even more appreciative of the team we have here at the Oklahoma Pork Council. They advocate for Oklahoma pork producers every day, but place relationships above everything else. In addition to these impactful individuals, we also got to hear real world stories from those who tell the agriculture story best: farmers. A panel featuring pork producers and dairy industry leaders provided insight into the benefits of earning a college education before returning to the farm. They shared a very helpful piece of advice: “Know what hat to wear at the right time.” No matter what phase of life you find yourself in, we think this can be applicable.

Beyond the educational aspect, YLAC provided us with many opportunities to connect with fellow young leaders and professionals, fostering new friendships and collaborations that spanned beyond the conference. We know these relationships will last for years to come. Following our engaging experience at YLAC, we transitioned to the two-day Fundamentals of Communications workshop with Micah “Spike” Craven of Integrity Communications. With a group of about nine participants, we dove deep into effective communication strategies for professional spaces and our personal lives. Spike’s guidance and expertise were invaluable as we explored many various communication techniques through exercise, practice, and discussions. These activities equipped us with skills to effectively advocate for agriculture in our communities, future careers, and beyond.  

As we reflect on our time in Minnesota, we are deeply thankful to the Oklahoma Pork Council for making this journey possible. The insights gained this past week enhanced our understanding of the pork industry and strengthened our commitment to serving and advancing it.

Oklahoma Pork Council President Attends the 2024 State Leaders Meeting

Recently, Oklahoma Pork's board president Tom Layne joined 20 other state pork association presidents from across the country in Reno, Nevada, for the 2024 State Leaders Meeting hosted by the National Pork Board (NPB) and National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). This four-day gathering provided a platform for leaders to collaborate on tangible ways to support the future of our industry's state and national organizations in serving U.S. pork producers.

Tom’s participation in the State Leaders Meeting demonstrates Oklahoma Pork's commitment to staying at the forefront of industry developments and advocating for the needs of Oklahoma pork producers. Alongside executive director Kylee Deniz, Tom found the meeting to be a great opportunity to share about the good work being done in Oklahoma and ways to better staff our industry across the nation.

Public Notice by the Oklahoma Pork Council and the National Pork Board

The election of pork producer delegate candidates for the 2025 National Pork Producers (Pork Act) Delegate Body will take place at 2 p.m., Friday, August 2, 2024, in conjunction with the Oklahoma Pork Council Annual Meeting at the Colcord Hotel, 15 N Robinson, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. All Oklahoma pork producers are invited to attend.

Any producer, age 18 or older, who is a resident of Oklahoma and has paid all assessments due may be considered as a delegate candidate and/or participate in the election. All eligible producers are encouraged to bring with them a sales receipt proving that hogs were sold in their name and the Checkoff deducted. Nominations will be accepted from the floor.

For more information, contact the Oklahoma Pork Council at 405-232-3781.

Promoting Pork at Meat Science Conference

This week, Oklahoma City hosted the 60th American Meat Science Association (AMSA) Reciprocal Meat Conference (RMC). In addition to the Ronald McDonald House pork stick giveback, the Oklahoma Pork Council has found additional ways to support this gathering of 900 meat science professionals, academics and students.

Oklahoma Pork collaborated with the National Pork Board to serve as event sponsors for RMC's week in Oklahoma. Working with Dr. Gretchen Mafi and Dr. Morgan Pfeiffer of Oklahoma State University's Department of Animal and Food Sciences, we provided pork for the Iron Chef Competition and conference meals. A special thank you to our great partner in Ben E. Keith Foods to help hundreds of attendees enjoy Prairie Fresh pork during their stay at the Omni Hotel.

Thanks to the stellar reputation of OKC's new Omni Hotel, our state is "on the map" for a variety of large conferences and association meetings that previously have not occurred in Oklahoma. Cheers to bringing folks to Oklahoma and promoting delicious pork! See more highlights from this week's meat science conference from AMSA, here!

Meet Communications Intern Presley Pullen

Story Written by Presley Pullen

Integrity. One word that summarizes the work proud pork producers exercise every day without even realizing it. My name is Presley Pullen, a summer intern for the Oklahoma Pork Council, and I am thrilled to get a front-row seat to witness the integrity each of you bring to your toil. I am currently going into my junior year at Oklahoma State University, pursuing dual degrees in Agricultural Communications and Animal Science.

Growing up on a 2.5-acre plot of land right outside of my hometown, Stratford, Oklahoma, being directly involved in agriculture was not exactly something in the cards for me. However, I was fortunate enough to have friends and mentors eager to teach me the ways of the show pig world and help me kickstart my journey in agriculture. Each year I was able to convince my dad to add a few more pens to the barn, and it quickly became a family affair.

During the winter and spring months I dedicated my time and focus to caring for my show pigs, falling in love with every sector of the industry. Come summer, I spent my days travelling to farmers markets, pedaling peaches and working in my family’s peach orchard, nicknamed Pullen Peaches. Through both of these commitments I learned the value of integrity: doing the right thing in a reliable way. My animals depended on me to feed, exercise, and give them proper care. Peach customers depended on me to provide a safe and quality product. Through hands-on experiences, I quickly realized that no industry values integrity like agriculturists do.

Since attending OSU and being involved in programs like Pork Industry Group, I have gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for commercial pork producers. While I grew up involved in the show pig industry, I had no idea of the immense commercial sow farms Oklahoma boasts. Through a sow farm tour at Seaboard Foods near Guymon, Oklahoma, this past November, I was able to see a sliver of the integrity pork producers must have. Being dedicated to exercising proper biosecurity measures, keeping the pigs’ best interest at heart, and working hard to meet global demands for pork, each of you producers are truly the backbone of our world. You are committed to serving others and doing it with a high level of integrity. As a pork consumer, I thank you!

I am extremely excited to embark on this internship with the Oklahoma Pork Council team and have longed for this opportunity for quite some time. I hope to hear each of your unique stories and positively promote pork in my future career. I will serve this role with integrity!

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.