Most people are familiar with Iowa’s family farms surrounded by acres and acres of towering cornstalks and fields of soybeans. Yes, Iowa is among the country’s leading producer of both corn and soybeans, a point of pride for farmers and non-farmers across the state. However, there is another “crop” for which Iowa is the leading producer: pork
October is National Pork Month, and Security State Bank wants to take this opportunity to recognize the work of hog farmers across the state, the importance of their work to Iowa’s economy and how we can help them finance and expand their hog operations.
So, what does it take to be the No. 1 pork-producing state in the United States? First, it takes a lot of hard-working people committed to their jobs and millions of hogs. For example, at the end of 2012 there were over 6,200 hog operations in Iowa alone that housed one-third of all the hogs in America; at any time throughout the year there are as many as 20 million hogs being raised in Iowa. That’s a lot of bacon!
Speaking of bacon, hog farming makes up a large amount of “bacon” when it comes to the state’s economy, about $7.5 BILLION in total economic activity for the state. Not only that, but hog farming and all the jobs associated with it means over 40,000 Iowans have jobs.
But perhaps the coolest thing about raising pigs in Iowa is that it depends on the success of local corn growers, and vice versa.
All the corn and soybeans grown in Iowa every year require a good amount of fertilizer, as you can imagine. The millions of hogs throughout Iowa actually help supply fertilizer. Check this out:
- About 10 finishing pigs, from weaning to market, provide the nutrient needs of an acre of croplands on a semi-annual basis.
- Nutrients from one 2,400-head hog barn benefits 240 acres of land (also known as a half-section).
On the flip side of the equation, a pig must eat nine to 10 bushels of corn grain from birth to market to reach its optimal weight, so hog farmers are depending on the success of corn producers to feed their hogs. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship benefitting producers of Iowa’s top agricultural industries.
How Security State Bank Helps
Have you ever tried raising 2,000 hogs? Neither have we, but we know that it is hard work that also requires a lot of equipment. In order to get the best hogs, hog farmers need to have enough space to house the pigs, the right feed, heating lamps, water supply and other equipment. Security State Bank works with local pork producers to help them get the financing they need for all of this equipment. We know that hog farmers have seasonal cash flow needs, so we work with them to structure their financing accordingly. It’s just one way we take care of the people who do so much for our state.
So be sure to thank any local pork producers that you know during National Pork Month. Security State Bank appreciates the hours of work they put in every day and would be glad help any way we can.