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Nebraska is a ‘prime target’ for hog expansion

As Iowa has become more saturated with hog production facilities, some major pork producers are looking to expand into Nebraska.

Will Keech is director of livestock development for AFAN, the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska.

“We’re working with the Maschhoffs and Cactus Farms, among others, that have operations in Iowa. But as Iowa gets filled up with producers, they see Nebraska as a prime target,” Keech says. “We’re an ag friendly state, our producers understand the livestock industry, and our local communities understand the importance of the livestock industry.”

Diversifying with hogs will be the focus of the Northeast Nebraska Swine Summit on July 17th in Norfolk.

“Part of the goal here is to highlight opportunities in modern swine production to those that may not be currently engaged in it,” Keech says. “Row crop producers that might be looking to add a new enterprise to their operation, or perhaps some young folks that are looking to return to the family farm.”

For more information on that event, go to Becomeafan.org.