David L. Meeker
Ohio Pork Industry Center
Ohio State University Extension
The pork industry in the United States has set the stage for growth in both domestic and export markets. This growth is made possible by new trade agreements, increasing efficiencies, improving quality, and more customer oriented marketing. The National Pork Producers Council has put forth the challenge of making pork "The Meat of Choice". The first part of the challenge is for pork to be consumed by domestic consumers at a rate higher than other meats. The second part is for the U.S. to export more pork than any other country.
The U.S. pork industry and the pork industry in Ohio are inseparably linked to each other with common futures and opportunities. There are some unique characteristics about Ohio which pose some special problems, but making U.S. pork "The Meat of Choice" is critical to the growth and prosperity of the pork industry here.
The world of agriculture is changing so fast it is difficult to keep up. In previous generations, hard work on the farm usually was rewarded with enough income for mortgage payments and a good living. Now there is much more with which to contend - networking, political involvement, environmental concerns, urban pressure, marketing, financial management, the "technology treadmill", production efficiency, and still hard work. Production factors, including genetics, health, nutrition, and management are becoming more complicated as the interactions have to be managed to be competitive.
Successful operations are characterized by high throughput, a steady level of production, system oriented routines, good records, controlled costs, and high health status. There are farms of many different sizes that are examples of success and profitability.
The State of Ohio has many characteristics which can be opportunities for growth in the pork industry. It is close to large consumer markets, has a well-educated workforce, and it produces an abundance of feed. There also are a number of potential obstacles to growth, such as urban pressure, environmental concerns, and conflict among groups within agriculture with differing opinions on structure of agricultural enterprises.
Research at The Ohio State University must continue to find solutions to problems and to discover new technology to improve efficiency and quality. Extension and education programs must disseminate new information and spread the adoption of successful processes regardless of where they are developed.
The creation of the Ohio Pork Industry Center (OPIC) at The Ohio State University is intended to help producers and other segments of the pork chain cope with challenges and exploit opportunities. It is a coordinated effort of OSU Extension in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine, with support from the Departments of Animal Sciences, Agricultural Economics, Food Science, Agricultural Engineering, and Veterinary Preventive Medicine. The Center was recommended by a long-range strategic plan for the Ohio pork industry completed in 1993 and was started in 1996 with the hiring of its first coordinator.
According to the 1993 pork industry plan, OPIC's central mission is to improve the profitability of all segments of the Ohio pork industry by providing an objective statewide systems approach for research and education for the industry, leveraging existing resources at The Ohio State University, and coordinating and facilitating communication with the pork industry.
OPIC will assist existing OSU Extension programs by responding to the competitive challenges for world-class pork production. OPIC will provide a focal point for research and educational activities affecting the Ohio pork industry and work to facilitate synergistic efforts. It also will serve as a clearinghouse for information concerning all aspects of the Ohio pork industry. The Center will coordinate activities affecting the Ohio pork industry, facilitate education for all segments of the industry, and be involved in applied, multidisciplinary research.