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The Porkline is back, but this layout is temporary.
We'll be introducing a new layout this summer.
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Show your patriotism!
On social media (
Facebook,
Twitter and
Instagram) we want to show our followers how pig farmers celebrate Independence Day. Share your family traditions of how you show your patriotism (politics excluded) on the farm. (Any images of Americana welcomed - flags, tractors, picnics, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc) You can send photos and captions directly to
[email protected] or tag
@ncpork on your social media posts. We'll share photos throughout the July 4th holiday on the various social channels. And be sure to follow us and share our posts!
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State Legislative Update
V
oluntary Lagoon Buyout Program Funding
The new state budget goes into effect on July 1 and includes a provision that provides funding for the voluntary lagoon buyout program for operations located in the 100-year floodplain. The money will come from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The NC Swine Floodplain Buyout was created in November 1999 in the wake of devastation from Hurricanes Dennis, Floyd and Irene. Under the program, the state invested more than $18 million to successfully buy out 43 swine operations in the 100-year floodplain. Inundation mapping done by NCDA&CS indicates that 32 of those 43 operations would likely have been flooded in Hurricane Matthew.
Given the success of the program, the NCPC board of directors passed a resolution at their last board meeting supporting a restart of the initiative. As a result of that directive, NCPC lobbyists worked with NCDA&CS and state lawmakers to secure funding. The
NCDA&CS Division of Soil and Water Conservation has also applied for federal grant money to help fund the program.
2017 Farm Act
The
NC Farm Act of 2017 passed both chambers in the General Assembly this week and is on the way to Gov. Cooper's desk. There are two sections in the bill directly related to swine.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Brent Jackson and championed in the House by Rep. Jimmy Dixon, repeals a 20-year-old zoning law that has allowed counties to adopt their own zoning regulations for hog farms that are 600,000 pounds steady state live weight or larger.
There is only one known instance of a county using this zoning statute. Several years ago, a farmer sought to renovate hog barns on his farm to house the same number of animals in the same footprint as the previous structures. But, even though there was a state law specifically governing the rebuilding of swine houses, the county cited their powers under this zoning law to require the farmer to hire an attorney ($6,000), a land appraiser ($1,500) and an engineer to approve the new plans ($1,500). He was also required to hold a public hearing about his renovations (that no one attended).
This was an obvious misuse of authority by the county and it provided for a great example for why this zoning law should be repealed. Additionally, over the last 20 years since the zoning authority was originally granted to counties, many other laws and regulations for swine farming have been established making such a zoning provision obscure and unnecessary.
While this law does not do anything to help the farmer who brought this situation to NCPC's attention, it will surely help others moving forward.
The Farm Act also included a provision to make clear that the closure of hog lagoons may be done by a Certified Technical Specialist without the need for a Professional Engineer - unless the closure requires the design or installation of a spillway.
NCPC pursued this change in the law because even though lagoon closures have been routinely handled by Technical Specialists, a proposed new Soil and Water Conservation Commission rule now out for public comment would require the use of a Professional Engineer for future lagoon closures -- a requirement that is unnecessary and would increase the cost of closure for the farmer.
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Farmers and Fathers
The Warren family of Sampson County is the real face of "Big Ag"
NEWTON GROVE - When Blake and Matilda Warren purchased a plot of land outside of Clinton in the mid-1800s, they hoped it would help provide for their children. Four generations later, the Warren family is still prospering off the property their ancestors settled on, and then some. ...
Read more:
North State Journal, June 14, 2017
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Person County farmers testing hemp as NC's next cash crop
PERSON COUNTY - North Carolina farmers are a hardy bunch, always on the look out for a better, more profitable crop. In Person County this summer, they are experimenting with what could be the next big thing, and they are hoping for a bumper crop.
Jay Foushee believes he has planted the state's first commercial, industrial hemp. ...
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2017 NCPC scholarship winners announced
When the N.C. Pork Council's scholarship committee reviewed applications this year for two $1,000 scholarship opportunities, they didn't make a tough choice. They found a way to give scholarships to five deserving applicants. The scholarship winners include four N.C. State University students and one University of Mount Olive student. Click here for the winners.
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Pork Leadership Institute nominees sought
It's time for nominations for the
Pork Leadership Institute (PLI). PLI is a comprehensive training program conducted jointly by the National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board and designed to develop future leaders for the U.S. pork industry.
If you know a rising or current leader within the industry to nominate for the 2017-2018 PLI class, please send an email to
[email protected],
by Friday, July 7, with the subject line: PLI nominee
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Public Notice by NC Pork Council and the National Pork Board
The election of pork producer delegate candidates for the 2018 National Pork Producers (Pork Act) Delegate Body will take place at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 2, 2017, in conjunction with a Board of Directors meeting of the NC Pork Council at the NC State University Club in the University Room, 4200 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC. All NC pork producers are invited to attend.
Any producer, age 18 or older, who is a resident of the state and has paid all assessments due may be considered as a delegate candidate and/or participate in the election. All eligible producers are encouraged to bring with them a sales receipt proving that hogs were sold in their name and the checkoff deducted. For more information, contact the NC Pork Council, 2300 Rexwoods Drive, Suite 340, Raleigh, NC 27607, telephone 919-781-0361.
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The Summer issue is out!
By now, you should have received your copy of the NC Pork Report. If you have not received this issue, please call our office at 919-781-0361 to confirm we have your correct mailing address.
This issue contains a legislative update, the cover story on Santiago Vazquez, feature story on the 2017 Whole Hog Barbecue Champion, a feature on Nahunta Pork Outlet, among other news.
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Industry Calendar
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July 21: Intern Industry Roundtable
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Aug. 1: Animal Waste Operator certification/recertification class
Hookerton, NC; $25 exam fee / $30 text book fee; Pre-register - call Eve Honeycutt, 252-521-1706
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- Sept. 2: Albemarle Area Circuit Show
- Sept. 9: Edgecombe County Livestock Show
- Sept. 14: Duplin County
- Sept. 19: Wilson County Fair
- Sept. 28: Wayne Regional Ag Fair
- Oct. 3: Sampson Swine Show
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