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What happens when a hog farmer, feed industry veteran, and former National Pork Producers Council president looks across the entire pork supply chain?

In this episode of the Patio Pondering Podcast, I sit down with Lori Stevermer to explore the connections between production, nutrition, policy, trade, and consumer confidence.

Drawing from decades in the feed industry with Wayne Feeds, Hubbard Feeds, and Alltech, along with her leadership at NPPC, Lori shares a perspective that spans from the slat level to Washington, D.C.

We discuss:

• Why consumers need confidence in the food system
• The growing role of choice in pork production and marketing
• What COVID revealed about our food supply chain
• Why trade matters far beyond pork chops and bacon
• The importance of Canada, Mexico, and international markets to U.S. pork producers
• Labor challenges facing agriculture over the next decade
• How ASF, global disease pressure, and biosecurity shape industry decisions
• Why agriculture sometimes struggles to slow down and think

Along the way, Lori reflects on leadership, running, balancing industry service with farm life, and the importance of meeting consumers where they are.

Whether you're involved in pork production, agriculture policy, animal nutrition, or simply interested in how complex systems actually work, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at the people and decisions behind modern agriculture.