Pork Expo hope is to spur hog production

COLUMBUS - When Bob Voboril began the Nebraska Pork Industry Expo program 31 years ago, his goal was to get more farmers interested in swine production.

Today, Expo Manager Voboril's goal remains the same, but the situation is much different.

"At that particular time, there was a large number of hogs being brought into the state, but there wasn't that much interest in pork production" Voboril said. "We started the program to enhance swine production in the state."

This year's Nebraska Pork Industry Expo - the largest indoor pork expo in the state - will be Feb. 4 and 5 at Platte County Agricultural Park Exhibit Hall.

The program - put on by the Nebraska Pork Producers Association (NPPA) - was a contributing factor to the increase of the number of swine producers in the state and to this day it educates those about the swine industry, Voboril said.

Yet now, the number of Nebraska swine producers has dwindled. According to the NPPA, the number of pork producers in the state has dropped nearly 76 percent since 1992.

Much of that can be attributed to the many challenges the pork industry has to face. Prices are down, interest by young people is low and many hog farmers are dealing with zoning regulations.

Bill Luckey - NPPA vice president and local hog farmer - said prices are down due to hogs coming out of Canada and the weight per animal now more than before.

"There are quite a few hogs out there and that brings the price down," he said. "Hogs are now heavier."

Pork producers must also deal with zoning regulations - having to consider neighbors when putting together plans to build a new facility.

"The public perception seems like it has a negative tone (toward the pork industry)," Luckey said. "A lot of people do not know what is going on. They see a hog barn and have a negative feeling towards it. Most of those people have never been in one before."

Platte, Cuming and Colfax counties are three of the state's largest pork producing counties. In fact, all three along with three other Nebraska counties rank in the nation's 100 top pork-producing counties. Yet, even Platte County's numbers are declining, said Voboril

"Even around Columbus, the swine producers are less," he said. "The number of hogs remains the same, but the number of producers is down."

Luckey said the upcoming expo is an advantage younger people can take to realize the opportunities that the pork industry has to offer.

"Some of them might not be exposed to some of the elements the pork industry has to offer," he said.

The first day of this year's expo will focus on educational programs that will show the impact between consumers and producers. There will also be sessions on how to increase the number of pork producers in Nebraska and how to run a hog operation smoothly.

There will also be a forum in which the NPPA explores the challenges that lie ahead for the state's swine industry.

A job fair will be featured during the youth program. The expo will offer events for the entire family such as a pie baking contest. A trade show with 125 participants will take place as well as the Nebraska Feeder Pig Challenge, where swine producers put their pigs against some of the state's best.

"(The expo) fits the entire pork industry," Voboril said. "The purpose of it is to enrich the pork industry in Nebraska."