Commissioner Shell signs proclamation honoring industry

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 15, 2024) – Pork producers and pork industry representatives joined Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell Monday as he proclaimed October as Pork Month in Kentucky.

“This month we celebrate our agriculture producers who work hard to raise pork, a healthy, lean, and, without a doubt, delicious protein for our family dinner tables,” Commissioner Shell said. “Pork plays an important role in our state and this month we celebrate that importance and the work of our producers across the state.”

You won’t just find Kentucky-grown pork on your dinner table, Cracker Barrel Restaurants, FiveStar gas stations, and all the Dairy Queen restaurants in Kentucky and the surrounding region use Kentucky-grown pork for their sausage. With more than 860,000 swine produced annually in Kentucky, pork is an important product for the state’s agriculture community.

The conscious choice businesses, such as FiveStar, Dairy Queen and Cracker Barrel, make when they opt for Kentucky-grown pork benefits Kentucky farmers and the state. Kentucky pork sales make up 2.2 percent of total cash receipts for Kentucky agriculture. The sale of market hogs and pigs brought Kentucky farmers $154.51 million in 2023.

Pork is an important product to the national diet with the average American consuming more than 50 pounds of pork per year. Packed with important nutrients and minerals, pork provides protein, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium.

Although the size and structure of the Kentucky pork industry has changed over time, increased levels of production have supported jobs and generated earnings in the state economy. The $154.51 million of gross cash receipts from hog markets in 2023 represent only a portion of the total economic activity supported by the industry. Overall, an estimated $459 million of personal income and $646 million of gross national product are supported by the Kentucky pork industry based on 2023 levels of production.

"The Kentucky Pork Producers Association (KPPA) has a long history of serving Kentucky’s swine farm families. We on the Board of Directors are excited to continue serving Kentucky producers with a renewed energy and focus," said Michael Williford, KPPA board member and pork producer. "It’s no secret that these have been trying years within the pork industry, but our dedication to Kentucky farmers has not wavered. With an increase in agricultural industry partnerships within Kentucky and nationally, KPPA has focused on outward facing promotions to increase consumer education and demand for pork products. We’re also fighting at the State House and Capitol Hill to protect our pork producers’ freedom to operate within the Commonwealth. We encourage all individuals to celebrate Pork Month within the month of October and support an industry that is vital to so many within our state."

With more than 1,500 swine operations across the Commonwealth, Kentucky ranks in the top 20 states in the nation for total swine production. Though they can be found throughout the state, most of Kentucky’s hogs are raised in western Kentucky, near production of their primary food source of corn and soybeans.

At the end of 2023, Kentucky had approximately 475,000 total head of market hogs on feed, representing only a portion of the more than 860,000 hogs and pigs Kentucky farmers sold at market last year.