Swine breeder groups promote pork through local, state, national and worldwide campaigns. Pork is rapidly growing as a popular meat choice throughout the world, and its growth is due in no small part to the influence of various pig breeders groups. If you grow hogs on your farming operation, you would be wise to join a pig breeders association on the state and national level.

No matter what pig farmers association you join, you can benefit from their services. In addition to research on swine genetics, you can expect a group to provide the following:

1. Consumer information and promotion by the hog farmers association, including new ways to cook pork.

2. National and foreign market development by the swine association.

3. Production technology and producer education for members of the pig farmers association.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Join one of the national swine breeder groups

Through advertising campaigns, such as 'Pork: The Other White Meat,' more consumers than ever are aware of pork as a quality meat product. Without the efforts of a national hog farmers association this wouldn't have been possible.

I recommend: The National Pork Producers Council actively promotes pork production as the leading hog farmers association in the United States. The National Pork Board is another association for the swine industry. Pork quality is a major emphasis of the National Pork Board.

Become a member of a state swine breeders association

Just as the National Pork Producers Council and the Pork Board work on the national level, most of the states have active state-level groups. Join your state swine breeders association and become active in it.

I recommend: Located in the largest pork producing state, the Iowa Pork Producers Association is an active swine association. It promotes pork production, and works closely with the various swine breeder groups in Iowa. The North Carolina Pork Producers Association, a state-level pig farmers association, offers services to help promote pork products on the state and national level. The State Pork Producers Association offers a list of groups by state.

Look for a specialty pig breeders association

If you have purebred hogs or raise specialty pigs, such as Vietnamese Potbellies, your business can benefit from the networking provided by specialty groups. From genetics to marketing, a special pig farmers association can provide a lot of information for the price of your membership dues.

I recommend: The North American Potbellied Pig Association is the umbrella group for a number of pot belly pig breeders groups. Under its leadership, miniature pig breeders groups promote Vietnamese potbellied pigs as pets. The National Swine Registry sets specific rules and regulations for pig breeders groups. You can list your Hampshire, Landrace, Duroc and Yorkshire pigs in its pig breeders directory, as long as the pigs meet registry and genetic guidelines.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Every hog farmers association actively promotes the humane treatment of the pigs. Because mistreated animals cost the producer money, it's in the farmer's best interest to take good care of his animals. Each state and national pig association also offers research and information for the farmer to handle waste disposal in a manner that is safe for the environment.