5 steps farmers take to keep pork safe and healthy for your dinner table

When you shop for groceries, you can feel confident that the pork you buy for your family is safe, nutritious and delicious thanks to the hard work of farmers.

October is National Pork Month, a great time to enjoy pork deals at your local grocery store and favorite restaurant.

Iowa is the nation's top pork producing state, and Iowa farmers have generations of experience raising high-quality pork.

Healthy pigs mean safe pork. Farmers work closely with veterinarians, animal nutritionists and animal care specialists, to make sure their pigs are safe, healthy and comfortable.

"We eat the pork that we are raising, so I take its safety very seriously since it's coming to my table first. I want to make sure that my family - and yours - is safe," says Sarah Rickelman, a Grundy County Farm Bureau member and pork farmer from Reinbeck.

Rickelman and her husband, John, raise Berkshire sows and piglets. Berkshires are a heritage breed known for high-quality pork.

Their children, William, 7, and Elsie, 4, also try to help with the pigs. "They're not that helpful right now," Rickelman says with a laugh. "But they love it a lot."

Rickelman, who has raised pigs for more than 20 years, explains how farmers ensure pork safety and care for their pigs.

Providing a comfortable environment

Today's livestock barns run like smart homes. They keep pigs safe and comfortable in any Midwest weather.

Pig farmers use smart farm technology to control the temperature in the barns, automatically adjusting fans and ventilation to keep their air fresh.

"Ventilation is so important," Rickelman says. "Just like for people, if it's too muggy or hot, or if the air is too dry, the pigs don't want to get up and walk around. You have to have constant air movement and keep the fans going."

Farmers also get phone alerts if the barn's temperature isn't right, even in the middle of the night.

"It's constant, walking through your barns and making sure that everything looks OK," Rickelman says.

Access to nutritious feed and clean water

Farmers check their barns several times a day to make sure pigs have clean water. They also work with nutritionists to ensure pigs get safe, high-quality feed.

Rickelman says her pigs eat a mix of corn, sourced locally, plus added vitamins and minerals.

The feed changes based on the pig's stage of life. For example, nursing pigs need more calories to produce milk.

"If you have good feed, good nutrition, plenty of water and good ventilation, you will have a healthy pig," Rickelman says.

Keeping pigs healthy

Sometimes farm animals get sick, just like people. When that happens, farmers consult with their veterinarians to determine the best treatment options. They also work with researchers to explore natural alternatives to antibiotics.

"Antibiotics are only used when there's a dire need, if something's bad and you want to protect the herd. It's not an everyday thing," Rickelman says.

If a farm animal gets sick and needs antibiotics, farmers must follow strict U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for antibiotics usage, including dosage, duration and withdrawal time - or the time between treatment and when the animal can go to market.

Rickelman says her sows sometimes receive a pain management medication, like Tylenol for pig, after they give birth to keep them comfortable.

Farmers don't give pigs added hormones. The FDA doesn't allow the use of hormones in raising pigs and poultry.

Farmers are always learning

Like many U.S. pig farmers, the Rickelmans participate in the Pork Quality Assurance Program (PQA), which provides ongoing education on safe farming practices. The program focuses on food safety, animal care, sustainability, worker safety, public health and community outreach.

PQA advisors, usually veterinarians or animal care specialists, also visit the farms to review their records, barns, equipment and animal care practices and make recommendations for improvement.

Farmers work year-round, in all kinds of Midwest weather, because they take pride in caring for their farm animals, Rickelman says.

"As pork producers, our number one goal is to provide safe, nutritious food for not only the consumer but also our families," Rickelman says. "Farmers go above and beyond every day. This is our livelihood, and we have an absolute passion for it. You talk to any farmer, and they will say they love what they do."

To learn more about how Iowa farmers work to ensure meat quality, food safety and animal well-being, visit www.realfarmersrealfoodrealmeat.com.

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