IPPA holds 'pork chat' on WHO

The Iowa Pork Producers Association kicked off Pork Month today with a special “Pork Chat” on WHO Radio’s Big Show from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The 90-minute broadcast was hosted by the Big Show’s Bob Quinn, who did the show from his home.

IPPA President Dave Struthers talks pork with WHO’s Bob Quinn as the Pork Checkoff’s Pamela Johnson looks on.
Several industry officials were joined by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey to visit with Quinn about the pork industry. IPPA President Dave Struthers, a pig farmer from Collins, IPPA CEO Pat McGonegle, National Pork Producers Council CEO Neil Dierks, Pork Checkoff Consumer Communications Director Pamela Johnson and IPPA Consumer Information Director Joyce Hoppes all participated with Northey in the discussion.

“IPPA has partnered with WHO and Bob Quinn on these pork chats a few times in the past and feels it’s a great way for us to help promote the industry and pork to consumers around the state during October Pork Month,” Hoppes said. “Our members work very hard to humanely raise quality and affordable pork and we all appreciate and thank them for their efforts.”

Struthers and McGonegle shared information about Pork Month, the industry’s We Care responsible pork initiative and IPPA’s efforts to promote water quality efforts with its members.

Northey talked about the importance of the pork industry and the economic boost it gives the state, as well as the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.

The long-awaited Trans Pacific Partnership free trade agreement was reached over the weekend and Dierks provided an update on the deal. The TPP, initiated in late 2008, is a regional trade deal that includes the United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, which account for nearly 40 percent of global GDP.

Johnson visited with Quinn about some of the Pork Checkoff’s recent promotions and Hoppes announced plans for a pork promotion at a Clive Fareway store on Thursday.

IPPA also provided a barbecue pork lunch for all participants.

Source: IowaPork