Pork producers are coming off a tough year due to COVID, but those attending the South Dakota Pork Congress are optimistic about 2021. South Dakota Pork Producers Council President Craig Andersen says both producers and meat packers are recovering from the pandemic and are focused on how they can use the lessons they’ve learned from it. This includes preparing for a foreign animal disease outbreak like African Swine Fever.

He says pork processors are back near full capacity after the COVID collapse, but the uncertainty has slowed down expansion in the industry.

Andersen says producers are recovering from the pandemic but the assistance in the COVID relief bill will hopefully keep some operations from going out of business.

He says the challenge now is higher feed prices and they’re looking at management and new technology to help combat that. Pork Congress was held in Sioux Falls and featured a sold-out trade show with 140 vendors, a business meeting and educational opportunities.