Members of the Iowa Pork Producers Association failed to reach agreement on what the future of the pork check-off should be. Pork producers who cast ballots in this fall’s national referendum voted to end the mandatory check-off which forces farmers to pay into the National Pork Producers account for marketing and research. Iowa Pork Producers President Joel Van Gilst of Oskaloosa says those who attended yesterday’s meeting tabled a proposal that called for a voluntary check-off. The “Iowa Pork Congress” endorsed a two-year moratorium on meatpacker mergers. Van Gilst says pork producers, as a group, are optimistic about their industry. The Iowa Pork Congress convened yesterday in Des Moines and continues through Thursday with seminars and trade shows today and tomorrow..
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