October is National Pork Month, and Iowa State is playing a substantial role in Iowa’s already important pork industry.

Iowa is the nation’s leader in pork production, with Iowa farmers selling just more than 25 million hogs each year, or one-fourth of the total U.S. production, according to the Iowa Ag Connection Web site. The industry creates 63,000 jobs for Iowans and provides a market for more than 30 percent of Iowa’s corn and soybeans.

“Iowa’s pork industry is the No. 1 revenue generator in Iowa,” said John Mabry, professor of animal science.

“Three to three-and-a-half billion dollars are generated annually for the state.”

According to the Web site, however, the Iowa pork industry could reach numbers as high as $12 billion.

“Because of the extensive agricultural and pork-producing background of Iowa, Iowa State reflects that in the students attending the university,” said Maynard Hogberg, professor and chairman of animal science and ex-officio director of the Iowa Pork Producers. “In addition, programs at Iowa State are geared toward the pork-producing industry.”

He said Iowa State is very competitive in pork research and devotes a significant amount of money to pork programs.

“Iowa State’s animal science department, as well as other departments, purposely include a large number of faculty specializing in pork areas,” Hogberg said.

There are more than 40 faculty employed through the College of Agriculture and College of Veterinary Medicine swine research extension at Iowa State, specializing in everything from animal health to disease and reproduction to agriculture economics.

Because of Iowa State’s emphasis on livestock production, employers tend to come to Iowa State first, Hogberg said.

“Companies are seeking students who already have experience in the jobs they’re offering,” he said.

Mabry said he thinks the future of the pork industry in Iowa remains bright because it maintains and develops the rural economy.

“Most jobs that support the pork industry are in rural situations and therefore revenue is directly generated for Iowa counties,” he said.

There are also an increasing number of smaller hog sites being constructed, as opposed to large 10,000-head sites, he said.

Mabry said grain farmers are beginning to build smaller hog sites not only to supplement their incomes, but also to supply a source of fertilizer for their crops in place of expensive and dangerous anhydrous. These new, smaller sites contribute to low-density expansion.

Mabry said these only house approximately 2,400 hogs, but are much more environmentally and socially viable.