To the Editor:
The pork industry continues to be a bright spot in South Dakota's economy. The industry has advanced and now creates a $520 million impact on our state's economy and generates 4,371 jobs for South Dakotans. Davison County should be very proud of our local producers and the excellent job they do to adopt new technology and strive for continued efficiency. They produce a great product and have stepped up to the plate to help feed our world population, which will require 100 percent more food in the next 50 years. This additional food has to come from greater efficiency by improving technology.
The continued change cannot be accomplished by themselves and requires a network of very knowledgeable professionals. Our local producers work very well together to meet pork demands, locally and abroad, offering the public a high-quality affordable source of protein. Despite the escalating costs of production, agriculture producers help their neighbors get started in farming as evidenced by our local young producers.
Our rural areas continue to experience a reduction in population, and the progressive hog operations in our county will have an economic impact for years to come. If there is a way to produce a better quality, safer product more efficiently, this industry has incorporated it without sacrificing the health of the animals or the sustainability of the environment.
Our health-care system believes in this industry enough to use heart valves, insulin and pharmaceuticals from pigs. So, the next time you are able to enjoy a great pork chop, also remember the other products produced from the hog barns within Davison County that help save lives.
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Let's continue to encourage and support our local pork producers, as there is no county or country in the world that takes more pride in providing a safe product.
