Welcome to the Barn
Dear IPPA member

Welcome back to Barn Talk Bulletin - Volume 8
Kick Start 2021
Leave 2020 behind and jump into 2021 with a fresh start. For a chance to win free groceries for a year, join our Fresh Start Wellness Challenge through the Stridekick app. Here you'll join a community of others who want to create healthy habits and move more. We'll provide you with nutritious recipe ideas, wellness tips, and new ways to get your blood pumping. Log your active minutes each day to track your own progress. Those who join the challenge will be eligible for a chance to win the grand prize: free groceries for a year! How to enter:
1.Visit http://bit.ly/2KVw6OM and follow the links and instructions to download the app, create your account and join our challenge.
2.You’re already entered for a chance to win!
3.Get moving and track your activity within the app for a BONUS chance to win. Challenge members who log at least 10,000 steps or 120 active minutes within the time frame of the challenge will earn another entry for a chance to win free groceries for a year.
4.Have fun! We’re excited to start 2021 on a positive note with you! No purchase necessary. 1/11/21 -- 2/7/21.
For official rules, eligibility and total prize information see http://therulespage.com/NPBFreshStartWellnessChallenge.
Employee Spotlight Program

Congratulations to the January Employee of the month, Ermilo ChiCob. Ermilo is a Gestation Manager for Borgic Farms, Inc. in Nokomis, IL. He has been involved in the pork industry for 10 years and recently joined Borgic’s one year ago where he has excelled since day one. Since he took over the gestation department, he has implemented new organization and changed the farm culture for the better. We are grateful for his focus and attention to detail on the job.  
 
Thank you Ermilo for your dedication to the pork industry!
Left Ermilo ChiCob, Right Josh Matli, Sow Farm Manager
Nominate an Employee Today!

IPPA values the hard work done by pig farmers and employees to provide nutritious protein to consumers. To highlight these dedicated employees, we have created the Employee Spotlight Program in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim. 
 
Each month we are inviting farm owners or employers to nominate their on-farm employees that go above and beyond. Each employee chosen monthly will receive a grilling set, recognition on our social channels and Chop Talk, and be entered to win the grand prize selected in October 2021. Click HERE to nominate and see past employee spotlights!
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Latest Updates

Weekly Outlook: Significant Revisions, Bullish Inventories, and Bearish Farrowing Estimates
The USDA’s December Hogs and Pigs report places the December 1 inventory of all hogs and pigs at 77.5 million head, down about 1.2% from last quarter and right at the average pre-report estimate of 1% lower than last year. Similarly, and as expected, the market hog inventory is about 1% smaller than a year ago. The numbers seem consistent with previously anticipated herd contraction, which appears likely to continue, as the breeding herd, at 3% lower than a year ago, is just below the anticipated range of 1.5% to 2.8% lower. That’s the smallest breeding herd since early 2018 and the largest decline in the breeding herd since December 2014. These numbers and downward revisions to past USDA estimates for market hog inventory, sows farrowed, and pig crops add some bullish sentiment.










MEAT AND POULTRY WORKER COVID INFECTION RATES LOWER THAN GENERAL POPULATION

A new analysis of independent data for November shows that reported new COVID-19 infection rates among meat and poultry workers were more than eight times lower than the general population.
Coming Up

Certified Livestock Manager Training
Certified Livestock Manager Training for 2021 will be different from past due to COVID-19 impacts.

IDoA has approved two options this year: new online training and webinars (click HERE for more information).
In lieu of the in-person event, IPPA will be hosting a four-week producer focused video series during the month of February. See dates and speakers below:

February 3: NATIONAL PORK BOARD UPDATES REGARDING AGVIEW & ANIMAL HEALTH
Speakers: Bill Even: CEO Dave Pyburn, DVM: Chief Veterinarian

February 10: INS AND OUTS OF BARN MAINTENANCE: BEST PRACTICES TO MAKE YOUR JOB EASIER 
Speaker: Steve Matthis: Training Director, Prestage Farms Inc

February 17: COMMODITY & INGREDIENT HEDGING (CIH) MARKET UPDATE 
Speaker: Dustin Baker: Manager, Education and Research

February 24: POLITICAL DISCUSSION HOW WILL THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IMPACT THE PORK INDUSTRY AND CURRENT POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT? *IPPA/SIP MEMBER ONLY
Speakers: Congresswoman Cheri Bustos Andrew Fisher: Congressional Relations, NPPC Karla Thieman: Russell Group