The CEO of the Iowa Pork Producers Association visited Manitoba Canada recently.
IPPA CEO Pat McGonegle spoke at Manitoba Pork’s 2017 Annual General Meeting last week in Winnipeg. He spoke about trade and transparency on the farm.
Speaking to Farmscape?s Bruce Cochrane, McGonegle says Iowa producers have similar issues as ones in Manitoba.
?A couple of key ones are environmental or regulatory issues. We’re one of the most regulated sectors of Ag in Iowa. We need to continue to look at what we need to do to improve that process.?
McGonegle says there needs to be more transparency on the farm.
?Not every consumer’s worried about it because their lives might be too busy but I think there’s a share of consumers that want to better understand how and what we do and we have to be transparent and open to that.?
He says the other part of it is educating thought leaders.
?Whether they be regulators, legislators, media, just on what goes on in farms so they have a better understanding. Of course, today, with electronic media and with Facebook and social media and those kinds of things, we can also use those as tools to help share information.?
McGonegle adds people often forget how important trade is to Iowa?s economy. He also says it was great to have the opportunity to visit Manitoba and discuss issues with Manitoba producers.
