By Andi Anderson
The last five years have been challenging for Eastern Iowa pig farmer Matt Gent. “Anywhere from really good times in the pork industry, to COVID shutdowns (and) dealing with all of that, to things like (California’s) Prop 12 legislation, and now kind of a downturn in the pork industry,” Gent said.
After the U.S. Supreme Court upheld California’s animal welfare law last year, Iowa pork producers now face the need to invest millions of dollars to modify their operations if they want to continue selling bacon and other pork products in one of the nation’s largest consumer markets.
This requirement comes at a time when hog farmers are experiencing significant financial losses.
In 2023, U.S. pork producers faced their worst financial losses in 25 years, losing an average of $32 per hog.
This was only $5 more than the previous worst year in 1998. Factors contributing to these losses included higher input costs, lower hog prices, and an oversupply of pork.
Adding to the industry's struggles, Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest hog producer and pork processor, announced the closure of its Altoona ham boning facility earlier this month, resulting in 314 workers losing their jobs.
The Gazette interviewed Matt Gent, a pig farmer from Wellman who was named president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association in January.
Gent and his family run a farrow-to-finish swine enterprise near Wellman in Washington County and also grow corn and soybeans.
Gent discussed the various challenges and opportunities facing the Iowa pork industry. He emphasized the impact of California’s Prop 12, which mandates larger living spaces for pigs, on Iowa producers. Compliance with this law requires significant financial investment and operational changes.
Despite these challenges, Gent remains optimistic about the future. He highlighted the resilience and adaptability of Iowa farmers, who continue to seek new ways to improve efficiency and sustainability in their operations.
As the industry navigates these headwinds, Iowa pork producers are committed to maintaining high standards of animal welfare and product quality while seeking innovative solutions to ensure their operations remain viable and competitive in the market.
Through resilience and adaptation, Iowa's pork industry aims to overcome current challenges and continue contributing to the state’s agricultural success.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-seastock
Categories: Iowa, Livestock, Hogs