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Pork Niche Market Working Group (PNMWG)
The Pork Niche Market Working Group (PNMWG) formed in 2002 to help
address challenges facing niche pork farmers and niche pork
companies. Coordinated by Practical Farmers of Iowa, its mission is
to foster successful niche pork value chains that are profitable to
all participants that incorporate farmer ownership and control, and
that contribute to environmental stewardship and rural vitality. It
has met 22 times and participants represent 23 different
organizations and 14 different niche pork companies. Total funding
secured for PNMWG coordination and 29 R&D projects is $1.26 million.
Key past projects examined the market potential for niche pork
products, transportation logistics, new product development,
maximizing carcass utilization options, Berkshire production and
marketing, herd health management, and using records and veterinary
diagnostic services to help improve profits of niche pork farms.
This last project obtained usable 2006 records from 49 niche pork
farms, and it worked with 31 niche pork farmers to generate data on
disease pressures. Information from both components was used to
develop educational materials and deliver outreach programming.
Near-term PNMWG priorities include continuing to help existing niche
pork farmers address production issues, developing a niche pork
beginning farmer program, and developing options for PNMWG’s future.
The PNMWG hosts a website (http://valuechains.org/pnmwg/) and
publishes Niche Pork News four times a year. PNMWG is part of the
Value Chain Partnerships project.
Contact:
Gary Huber, PNMWG Coordinator,
Practical Farmers of Iowa
P.O. Box 349
Ames, IA 50010
gary@practicalfarmers.org
515-232-5661, ext. 103
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