Large pig producers are the biggest supportors of Checkoff
United States: A recent survey by the National Pork Board has shown that support of the Checkoff and general optimism of the industry is strongest among larger producers, or those that marketed more than 20,000 pigs in the past year.
In November 2014, the National Pork Board has conducted an annual survey of pork producers to gain insight to the condition of the industry, general attitudes of pig farming and their support of the Checkoff.
For the fifth consecutive year, pork producer support for the Checkoff has increased to 89% – up 2% points from last year’s results. Meanwhile, opposition to the Checkoff declined 1% to a low of 5%.
Survey highlights include:
- Right direction / wrong track: 83% of producers feel the industry is heading “in the right direction,” growing from a 2013 score of 75%. Of those surveyed, 9% feel the industry is “on the wrong track,” dropping from a 2013 score of 13%.
- Support for the Checkoff and general optimism of the industry is strongest among larger producers, or those that marketed more than 20,000 pigs in the past year.
- The biggest overall challenge facing producers is managing hog health and disease. A recently announced $15 million investment in a Swine Health Information Center directly addresses this concern.
- The single most important thing the Checkoff can do to help their operation is to educate consumers about the safety of pork.
On a 10-point scale:
- Build Consumer Trust rated a mean score of 8.85 – the highest result and growing to 9.05 among large producers.
- Grow Consumer Demand rated a mean score of 8.39.
- Drive sustainable production rated a mean score of 7.86.
The survey is based on phone interviews with 550 producers.
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