SEDALIA, Mo. — Missouri pork producers and industry professionals will have an opportunity to hear updates on swine health, economics, industry programs and other issues affecting pork production during the Missouri Pork Association’s annual Swine Institute on October 28.
Ben Nuelle, director of producer services for the Missouri Pork Association, recently joined Rachel Fishback of Pork Industry News to discuss the upcoming event, along with several other initiatives underway in Missouri’s pork industry during October. Nuelle works directly with producers on programs involving swine health, environmental issues, producer education and member and industry engagement.
Missouri Swine Institute Focuses on Producer Education
The Missouri Swine Institute is an annual educational event designed to address issues currently affecting pork producers and others working throughout the swine industry. Nuelle said topics can range from swine health and environmental programs to economic conditions, with programming developed around areas important to producers and Missouri Pork Association members.
“The goal of this institute is making sure we continue to provide value on those topics that producers care about and members care about from our organization,” Nuelle said.
The event is open to a broad range of attendees, including pork production employees, growers, Missouri Pork Association members and allied industry professionals. In addition to the educational sessions, Nuelle said bringing people together provides an important opportunity for networking and conversations among people who may be facing similar challenges within their operations.
That ability to compare experiences can be particularly valuable in agriculture, where producers and industry professionals may discover that issues affecting their farms or businesses are also being encountered elsewhere. Nuelle said he sees the same thing when communicating with staff members from other state pork organizations.
This year’s program is expected to include discussion surrounding the national swine health strategy, along with an economic outlook from the University of Missouri’s new livestock economist. Representatives from the National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council are also expected to provide updates on work being conducted on behalf of pork producers.
Swine Health and Business Continuity Remain Priorities
Swine health will be among the major areas of discussion, including efforts to help producers better understand the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan, commonly known as U.S. SHIP.
Nuelle said helping producers understand how they can enroll in the program is part of Missouri Pork Association’s work surrounding the national swine health strategy. Those efforts are connected not only to maintaining herd health but also to preparing the industry for the potential disruption caused by a foreign animal disease.
Business continuity is an important part of that preparation. The pork industry continues working to develop plans and systems that could help producers and the broader supply chain continue operating and moving pork products if a foreign animal disease were detected in the United States.
Nuelle said Missouri Pork’s role includes keeping producers informed about programs being developed by state and national pork organizations and helping them understand the resources available to address both domestic and foreign animal disease threats.
National Pork Issues Have Local Impact
The Swine Institute will also give Missouri producers an opportunity to hear directly about work occurring at the national level.
Nuelle said staying informed about the National Pork Board is important because producers fund Pork Checkoff programs. Those efforts include pork promotion, increasing domestic demand and work involving sustainability. On the policy side, the National Pork Producers Council represents producers on legislative and regulatory issues.
During the interview, Nuelle pointed to the farm bill and efforts surrounding California Proposition 12 as examples of national policy discussions with potential implications for pork producers. He emphasized that staying involved allows producers to better understand what national organizations are doing on their behalf and gives them an opportunity to ask questions.
Technology Continues Changing Pork Production
Technology and record keeping will also be part of the Swine Institute conversation. Nuelle said technology has increasingly become integrated into day-to-day pork production, allowing producers to monitor barns and manage different aspects of an operation from their phones and other devices.
Those technologies can play a role in animal care and welfare while also helping producers monitor expenses and resources such as electricity and water. Technology can also provide additional tools for tracking herd health and production information.
While the Swine Institute session will focus more specifically on record keeping, Nuelle expects the discussion could extend into other ways producers are using technology throughout their operations.
Missouri Pork Celebrates Porktober
October is National Pork Month, commonly celebrated throughout the industry as Porktober, and the Missouri Pork Association has several activities planned.
On October 5, the association is scheduled to host a thank-you celebration recognizing the Missouri Department of Agriculture and its work supporting and promoting pork. Nuelle said the organization has held the event for several years and has invited state agriculture and other Missouri officials to participate.
Missouri Pork is also using radio advertising and other promotional efforts during the month to encourage consumers to choose pork. With grilling weather continuing into the fall, Nuelle said October offers consumers another opportunity to explore different pork products and ways of preparing them.
Later in the month, Missouri Pork staff are also expected to travel to Des Moines for an annual Porktober gathering that provides an opportunity to connect with representatives from other pork-producing states and national organizations.
Upgraded Mizzou Meat Lab Supports Students and Industry
Another major development for Missouri agriculture is an upgraded meat laboratory at the University of Missouri, which is scheduled for dedication October 9. The Missouri Pork Association has been involved in supporting the project, which Nuelle said had been in development before he joined the organization.
The upgraded facility is expected to provide educational opportunities for students interested in pork processing, meat science and the broader meat industry. It also includes the Mizzou Meat Market, giving members of the public an opportunity to purchase products while providing another connection between consumers, students and animal agriculture.
Nuelle described the facility as state-of-the-art and said it represents the continued partnership between Missouri Pork and the livestock and agriculture programs at the University of Missouri. Supporting facilities and educational programs at the university can help ensure students have access to the resources and experience they need before entering the workforce.
Bringing Pork to the Table
Porktober is also about putting pork on consumers’ plates. When asked about his favorite pork dish, Nuelle said he has started making tacos with pork loin and has experimented throughout the year with replacing other proteins with pork in meals at home.
Ground pork has also become one of his options for tacos, spaghetti and other dishes traditionally prepared with different ground proteins. Nuelle said experimenting with different pork products demonstrates the versatility behind the industry’s “Taste What Pork Can Do®” message.
Join Missouri Pork at the Missouri Swine Institute
The 2026 Missouri Swine Institute is scheduled for October 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Missouri Pork Place in Sedalia, Missouri. The event is free to attend, and registration is available through the Missouri Pork Association website.
For Missouri pork producers and industry professionals, the event provides an opportunity to learn about issues affecting production today while connecting with others across the industry. From preparing for animal health challenges and navigating economic conditions to adopting technology and understanding national industry programs, the Swine Institute is designed to give attendees information they can take back to their farms, businesses and organizations.
Watch Missouri Pork’s Ben Nuelle’s full interview:
