Dysart Iowa pork producer John Weber was officially installed as president of the National Pork Producers Council at the National Pork Forum last week. Weber says one of the challenges facing the pork industry in the next 18 months is working with newly elected lawmakers and a new President and bringing them up to speed on agricultural issues.

He says another major challenge for pork producers will be to get prepared for new antibiotic regulations that take effect 2017 as part of the Veterinary Feed Directive.

Weber says he’s optimistic about where pork demand is on both on the export front and domestically.

Weber says another goal is to convince Congress to ratify the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement.