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As pork producers struggle with record-high feed prices caused by the worst U.S. drought since the 1950s, the National Pork Board has approved domestic and international marketing budgets that will help drive pork demand at a critical time.
The Board is committing $27,735,000 in FY2013 for domestic marketing efforts and $7,102,000 for international marketing efforts that will help stem producer losses that are forecast for this next year. The Board added almost $2 million in additional dollars to the marketing effort from its September preliminary budget.
The action came as the board approved a 2013 program budget of $69.8 million, slightly higher than the 2012 budget of $69.3 million. The budget now goes to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for final approval. USDA oversees the National Pork Board's spending of the Pork Checkoff.
The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. Importers of pork products contribute a like amount, based on a formula.
Thursday November 15, 2012/ Pork Checkoff/ United States.
http://www.pork.org
