The National Pork Board took the pulse of the nation’s pork industry in a November survey of 550 producers.

Four highlights from the survey:

1. Pork producer support for the Pork Checkoff is at a record 90%, up 1% from last year. This is the sixth consecutive year support for the checkoff has increased. Opposition to the checkoff declined 1% to a record low of 4%.

Support for pork checkoff is at record high. (Photo: Ingram Publishing/Thinkstock)

2. The number of producers who feel the industry is heading in the right direction dropped 13%, from 83% in 2015 to 70% in November. Of those surveyed, 23% feel the industry is “on the wrong track.” This decline in optimism is linked to changing market dynamics outside of a producer’s individual control, according to survey respondents.

3. The No. 1 challenge facing pork producers is managing hog health and disease, according to those surveyed.

4. Producers want checkoff funds to be chiefly used to educate consumers about the safety of pork. Rounding out the top four: Advertising, pork promotion and opening new markets.

“Marketing is always top of mind for producers, and it starts with building trust by educating consumers about pork’s safety and nutritional value,” said Derrick Sleezer, National Pork Board president from Cherokee, Iowa. “Pig farmers want to see their investment at work to build U.S. consumer demand and take tangible steps to expand international trade.”

Source: National Pork Board