The National Pork Board is finalizing its 2009 budget and operating plan. The 55-million dollar spending limit reflects the critical issues facing today’s pork producer. Chief Executive Officer Chris Novak says the economic challenges facing the swine industry top that list. He says they have undertaken an effort called the Profitability Challenge. Novak says it's a reality faced by thousands of pork producers who are looking at higher input costs at at time when markets are lower. He says this effort is designed to give producers practical ideas on ways to lower production costs and better market their product when profitability is being tested by global factors.

The shining spot for prok producers remains exports. Novak says pork exports have been on a record pace, up 70 percent for the year through July - but Novak recognizes the changing global economy may influence that in the future. The value of the U.S. dollar is moving higher - which is a consideration. Also a point of interest is the balace between exports and recent increases in spending domestically for pork. Novak says we do need to increase our domestic consumption of pork. But in this time of financial uncertainty, and the strength in the U-S Dollar, that may be a challenge.

For more information, producers can contact the Pork Checkoff Service Center. Go www.pork.org or call 800-456-PORK.