Pork
Kentucky's Pork Industry
You won’t just find Kentucky-grown pork on your dinner table, Cracker Barrel Restaurants, FiveStar gas stations, and all the Dairy Queen restaurants in Kentucky and the surrounding region use Kentucky-grown pork for their sausage. With more than 860,000 swine produced annually in Kentucky, pork is an important product for the state’s agriculture community.
The conscious choice businesses, such as FiveStar, Dairy Queen and Cracker Barrel, make when they opt for Kentucky-grown pork benefits Kentucky farmers and the state. Kentucky pork sales make up 2.2 percent of total cash receipts for Kentucky agriculture. The sale of market hogs and pigs brought Kentucky farmers $154.51 million in 2023.
Pork is an important product to the national diet with the average American consuming more than 50 pounds of pork per year. Packed with important nutrients and minerals, pork provides protein, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium.
Although the size and structure of the Kentucky pork industry has changed over time, increased levels of production have supported jobs and generated earnings in the state economy. The $154.51 million of gross cash receipts from hog markets in 2023 represent only a portion of the total economic activity supported by the industry. Overall, an estimated $459 million of personal income and $646 million of gross national product are supported by the Kentucky pork industry based on 2023 levels of production.
"The Kentucky Pork Producers Association (KPPA) has a long history of serving Kentucky’s swine farm families. We on the Board of Directors are excited to continue serving Kentucky producers with a renewed energy and focus," said Michael Williford, KPPA board member and pork producer. "It’s no secret that these have been trying years within the pork industry, but our dedication to Kentucky farmers has not wavered. With an increase in agricultural industry partnerships within Kentucky and nationally, KPPA has focused on outward facing promotions to increase consumer education and demand for pork products. We’re also fighting at the State House and Capitol Hill to protect our pork producers’ freedom to operate within the Commonwealth. We encourage all individuals to celebrate Pork Month within the month of October and support an industry that is vital to so many within our state."
With more than 1,500 swine operations across the Commonwealth, Kentucky ranks in the top 20 states in the nation for total swine production. Though they can be found throughout the state, most of Kentucky’s hogs are raised in western Kentucky, near production of their primary food source of corn and soybeans.
At the end of 2023, Kentucky had approximately 475,000 total head of market hogs on feed, representing only a portion of the more than 860,000 hogs and pigs Kentucky farmers sold at market last year.
About Pork Production
Pigs are raised on farms across Kentucky, with most farms being located in the western half of the Commonwealth. Since pigs are not able to sweat to keep cool like humans, many of those pigs are raised in temperature-controlled barns year-round. They also stay toasty warm in the winter. When pigs are raised outdoors, farmers use other means to keep their pigs comfortable such as mud holes and fluffy bedding. Most pigs are given a diet of corn and soybeans, but pigs are omnivores. That means they choose to eat both plant and animal foods. Some farmers feed their pigs leftover food from their farms or from restaurants. This is a good way to use food waste.
Farmers keep sows (female hogs) to give birth to and mother new pigs. A sow can have at least two litters of pigs per year, and each litter has 8-12 piglets. Many piglets are born in farrowing stalls. These keep the mother from accidentally crushing her babies; remember, she weighs hundreds of pounds, and the piglets weigh only a few pounds when they are born. Farrowing stalls also make it easy and safe for the farmer to feed the sow, check to see if the mother is healthy, and give medicine when it is needed. After three weeks, the pigs are weaned and can move to a solid food diet.
Kentucky farm families work to provide the best care for their pigs and ensure we have safe food to eat. Once the pigs weigh between 250 and 280 pounds, the farmer sells the pigs for processing. They will take them to one of Kentucky’s USDA-inspected meat processing plants that make pork available to eat through grocery stores and restaurants.
Pork is packed with important nutrients and minerals. It is an excellent source of protein, as well as thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium. These nutrients are important to our health.
Many cuts of pork are considered lean, which means they are low in fat. Pork is eaten by more people than any other meat in the world!
It is important to cook pork to the correct temperature. To check if your pork is done, try using a digital cooking thermometer. Most pork should be cooked to between 145 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Precooked ham can be reheated to 140 degrees or enjoyed cold. Many American’s favorite foods come from pork, such as ribs, bacon, chops, ham, hot dogs, and shoulder roasts (butt or picnic) often used for barbecue. After taking these popular cuts from the animal, the remaining meat is used for delicious sausage. It is likely you have enjoyed pork items at a barbecue or for breakfast.
Kentucky pork is actually used at Cracker Barrel and Dairy Queen restaurants across the United States thanks to the Kentucky-based sausage processor, Purnell’s “Old Folks” Sausage. This company is located in Simpsonville, Ky.
Pigs are also similar enough to humans that doctors can use their tissues and organs in surgeries. People regularly receive pig heart valves when their valves wear out. Pigs are incredibly valuable for human medicine.
Kentucky farmers work hard to raise healthy lean meat for consumers in our state and beyond. Pork plays an important role in our farming state.
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Kentucky Pork Producers proudly represents the pork producers of Kentucky. Whether you’re looking for pork events, industry facts/news, or just exploring agriculture, the KY Pork Producers can help!
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