Kentucky observes Pork Month and agriculture segment that brought in more than $100m last year

By Tom Latek
Kentucky Right now

Kentucky is observing October as Pork Month, in honor of that half of agriculture that launched In further than $100 million from the sale of hogs and pigs final yr.


“Pork performs An important position in our state,” said Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles.

Kentucky Pork Producers Authorities Director Niki Willis and Ag Commissioner Ryan Quarles

“Our farmers play an equally important position Inside the exhausting work they do To Increase healthful lean meat for consumers in our state and past. Whereas we rejoice Kentucky Pork Month, let’s primarytain in thoughts the exhausting work our farmers do Daily To Increase this nutritious commodity.”

Based mostly on the Kentucky Dehalfment of Agriculture, pork Is An important product to the nationwide food regimen with The typical American consuming about 50 kilos of pork per yr. Pork is Full of important dietary vitamins and minerals. Collectively with protein, it furtherly provides thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium.


Kentucky pork gross sales make up 2.5% of complete money receipts for Kentucky agriculture. The sale of market hogs and pigs launched Kentucky farmers $128 million in 2020, up by Greater than $16 million the yr prior.

On The prime of 2020, Kentucky had roughly 460,000 complete head of swine, up from 435,000 the yr earlier than. However that quantity Is merely a portion of the Greater than 1 million hogs and pigs Kentucky farmers purchased at market final yr.


With Greater than 1,600 operations throughout the state, Kentucky ranks Seventeenth Inside the nation for complete swine manufacturing. Although They’re typically found all by way of the state, most of Kentucky’s hogs are raised in western Kentucky, shut to manufacturing of their primary meals supply of corn and soybeans.


”Be a part of my household and others throughout the state as we rejoice Pork month,” said Benji Hudnall, Kentucky Pork Producers Affiliation president. “I encourage Kentuckians to take pleasure in pork at meals this month of October. Everytime you add pork to your plate, you’re supporting farm households like ours.”