2025 Goals: Pork Producers Reflect on Growth and Gratitude
As 2024 comes to a close, it’s a natural time to reflect and prepare for what lies ahead. The past year has been a journey filled with highs, lows and valuable lessons. For those of us in the swine industry, the challenges of recent years have underscored the importance of resilience, innovation and community.
Gratitude for Progress and Partnerships
The swine industry has faced its share of hurdles in recent years, but 2024 brought some long-awaited positive shifts with breakevens decreasing by $15 to $20 per head and forward margin opportunities reaching the 95th-plus percentile range.
These improved margins, driven by lower feed costs and higher revenues, signal a turning point for the industry. After navigating a prolonged stretch of financial pressure, it’s refreshing to see conditions aligning for greater profitability.
Are you making the most of these opportunities to strengthen your operation? Now is the time to act strategically and lay the groundwork for sustained success.
Building a Culture of Appreciation
Beyond the numbers, I’m also thankful for the great people I get to work with every day – both clients and colleagues. I am blessed to work with hardworking, smart and highly skilled individuals. People, and the relationships we build over time, are the most rewarding part of the job.
I am especially grateful for farmers and what they do every day. Thank you for working hard to put food on our tables. Long hours, challenging markets, production challenges, wild weather swings – farmers show up every day with consistency and grit to get the job done.
As we wrap up the year, I encourage you to take time to express appreciation to the team members and family members who have helped you along the way. Let them know what their contributions, leadership or successes mean to you and your businesses. Surrounding yourself with great people is one of the keys to success.
Setting Goals for Continuous Improvement
Looking ahead to 2025, the question on my mind is: How can we get better? Excellence in agriculture often comes down to a mindset of continuous improvement. Many of the most successful swine producers have ingrained this principle into their operations.
To move forward effectively:
- Celebrate strengths: Identify what worked well in 2024. How can you double down on those strengths to maximize success?
- Target improvements: Pinpoint areas that need a boost. Create a clear plan for addressing these challenges and set measurable goals to track your progress.
- Keep it simple: Success doesn’t have to be complicated. Do more of what’s working and make incremental changes where needed.
Lessons Learned: Reflect and Recharge
Before the new year begins, carve out some time to reflect. What lessons did 2024 teach you? Whether it was a production breakthrough, overcoming a challenge or a new relationship formed, these moments can guide your next steps.
And while you’re planning for 2025, don’t forget to prioritize the people around you. A thriving operation starts with a strong, motivated team.
Cheers to a Bright Future
As we head into the new year, I wish you and your families a happy holiday season. Thank you for your tireless efforts to provide safe, nutritious and delicious pork products for all of us to enjoy.
Ready to make the most of 2025? Work with our team of swine industry experts to set actionable goals and build on the strengths of your operation today.