Iowa Swine Day is an annual conference focused on topics vital to the U.S. pork industry. Speakers from industry and academia share the latest research updates and discuss new technologies and innovations in the swine industry. For those who couldn’t attend, here are four key takeaways from this year’s plenary session.
1. Innovation requires action, not perfection
Keynote speaker Steve Lerch, former Google executive and President of Story Arc Consulting, challenged Iowa Swine Day attendees to adopt an innovative mindset and be open to new ideas. Drawing from his experience at Google, Lerch shared that effective leaders question assumptions, foster curiosity and optimism, and encourage experimentation within their teams and daily work.
Lerch also emphasized that innovation is not limited to a select group, rather it is a skill that everyone can develop. Embracing innovation often requires organizations to adapt existing processes and traditions to support new approaches. By testing ideas early, gathering feedback, and viewing every aspect of the business as an opportunity to improve, innovative teams can position themselves for long-term success.
2. Industry adoption of gene editing depends on communication and economics
Raising a disease-resistant pig wouldn’t fix all challenges for producers, but it would provide potential benefits for animal health, food safety, and environmental sustainability. Dr. Mike Paustian, a sixth-generation farmer and former research scientist at the National Animal Disease Center, outlined four factors to drive conversations about gene editing: science, regulation, and consumer and producer impact.
Paustian recommended producers consider the adoption of gene edited pork as a business decision, evaluating the return on investment, logistics of implementation, effects on market access, and potential changes to supply and price. He also clarified the importance of distinguishing the difference between gene editing and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Gene editing is the removal, addition, or replacement of DNA at precise locations in the genome of a living organism. It does not introduce foreign DNA into the existing organism.
For consumers, the use of gene edited pork becomes an emotional decision, driven by their values and understanding of genetic technology. Some survey results have shown that transparency and explanation of benefits increase consumers' willingness to buy gene edited pork. Other surveys have conflicting results where the majority of consumers are ambivalent but see clear labeling as essential. Paustian cautioned that without clear communication and support from the pork industry, opportunities to use gene-editing technology to address current and future challenges could be missed.
3. Consumer behavior and demand drives industry success
With over four decades of experience working in commodity and risk management, Dr. Dhamu Thamodaran, former Executive Vice President of Smithfield Foods, Inc., has observed countless changes in the pork market. Events such as the global recession in 2009 and the COVID-19 pandemic shifted consumer purchasing behavior and resulted in dynamic changes in pork demand and price.
Looking to the future, Thamodaran noted that there is a major opportunity to increase the value of pork products in food service. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. consumers are choosing to spend more money on food away from home, with a record high per capita food spending in 2023. He encouraged pork producers to pursue opportunities to increase domestic demand, specifically with food service restaurants and convenience foods, and to continue educating consumers on ways to prepare and cook pork at home.
4. The pace of change is accelerating, so staying the same means falling behind
Today’s technology and artificial intelligence (AI) systems are developing at a rapid pace, making tools that are cutting-edge this month outdated the next. Todd Thurman, Founder and CEO of Swine Insights International, recognizes this as a major opportunity for the swine industry to embrace generative AI and transform processes and task execution.
Producers that learn and implement technology now will be better prepared for future opportunities. Thurman encouraged attendees to trial different AI models and find ways to incorporate AI tools into daily workflows as soon as possible.
Session recordings available soon
Additional Iowa Swine Day sessions covered topics such as animal health, nutrition, operational management, sensor and camera technology, and more. Approved session recordings will be available soon. Subscribe to the Iowa Pork Industry Center YouTube or check the Iowa Swine Day website for updates to be notified when the recordings are available.
This article was updated July 7th to clarify the definition of gene editing.
