The numbers tell the story of an industry facing a perfect storm, says agricultural economist, Dr Ron Plain of the University of Missouri-Columbia. North American hog producers lost over $7 billion in 2008 and 2009. Reduced production drove a brief spike in hog prices and decent profitability for some in the summer of 2010, however optimism of a recovery was slashed by three months of the worst pork industry economics in decades that rounded out the year.

Dr Ron Plain
Dr Leo den Hartog

High feed costs, weakened global and domestic economies and generally unfavourable pork trade conditions have all contributed. US biofuels policy diverting a huge chunk of the corn supply to ethanol production has fueled a dramatic rise in feed costs while a strong Canadian dollar has crippled the economics of Canadian production and contributed to a dramatic reduction in the Canadian swine herd.

"The difficulty is, none of these forces are within the control of hog producers," says Dr Plain. The challenge for producers is to weather the storm while finding new ways to strengthen their business.

Sustainable precision livestock farming, an emerging trend led by Europe, is one fast-rising new concept, says Dr Leo den Hartog, Director of R&D and Quality Affairs for Nutreco in the Netherlands. The concept takes a broad approach to precision management and advocates harnessing innovations from areas such as genomics, microsystem technology, nanotechnology and information and communications technology.

"In the future, these technologies will offer opportunities for innovation in all parts of the chain," says Dr den Hartog. Animal feeding is a top target for the concept since it is the biggest cost factor in pig production. "It's a critical junction in the pork chain, between crop cultivation and meat processing, where the precision approach will become increasingly more important."

The 'sustainable' part of the concept also includes building in broader considerations such as environmental management and consumer preferences, including tactics such as building stronger producer-retailer relationships. "Today more than ever these demands and opportunities need to be taken into account and managed properly, to generate more value."

Michele Payn-Knoper
Mark Greenwood

Using advocacy to shape the future is another valuable approach. Part of this is keeping on top of and responding appropriately to issues raised by industry critics, says consultant, Michele Payn-Knoper of Cause Matters Corp. "It's important to learn from the activist rhetoric and then put facts to work on an emotional level with consumers to tell your story more effectively. In agriculture, we're missing that consistent voice in the conversation."

Ms Payn-Knopper added it is critical to get out in front of issues and she challenged individuals in the industry to spend at least an hour each week talking to people outside the industry and telling their story.

Taking advantage of new financial models is also key for a sector facing ongoing volatility, says Mark Greenwood of US-based AgStar Financial Services, which has a large swine portfolio. "Ever since 2008 we have had significant volatility in the marketplace and in all commodities. This is becoming the new normal. Producers need to monitor their financial situation and strategy all the time because of volatility, and modify their models as things change."

Those who succeed will be those who are the best managers and students of the game, says MrGreenwood. "Wayne Gretzky once said, 'A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player knows where the puck is going to be.' Successful pork operations need to have that type of mind-set."

The 2011 Banff Pork Seminar features presentations by industry leaders from around the world on the major trade, marketing, production and welfare issues facing the pork industry today.

This report was prepared by Meristem Land and Science.

January 2011