State Pork Industry strong, internationally not so much

Colorado Pork Industry leaders say the state hog production is strong but, the industry internationally is in a conundrum and that will have local repercussions.

Joyce Kelly, Colorado Pork Producers Council Executive Director says state producers grow some of the safest and best pork products in the world with both small boutique and large scale producers.

"We of course of looking favorably on those concessions on trade that have been eliminated such as the new NAFTA deal. However we do think in order for us to really benefit from that we have to do something with the steel tariffs. And of course the issue with China is always hanging around."

Colorado Pork Producers Council will hold it annual meeting February 16 in Brush.

American Farm Bureau Federation economist Michael Nepveux spoke at the Federation's 100th Annual Convention. He says Pork production since 2015 has been steadily increasing, to the point that hog inventory in December 2018 was the highest ever reported. He says Pork took a harder hit than beef in the trade war with China. That and record production, pushed prices down, making pork more appealing to other foreign markets. He added that people were buying more, but at a discounted price.