By Blake Jackson
The average Missourian consumes 63 pounds of pork annually, highlighting strong local demand. For producers considering supplying pork to Missouri markets, Intel for Ag offers a valuable resource.
“If you’ve thought about supplying pork to Missouri markets but haven’t decided for sure, then Intel for Ag (Intel for Ag) can help,” said Mallory Rahe, University of Missouri Extension state specialist and Intel for Ag contributor.
Intel for Ag is a free website designed to educate Missouri producers about the farm enterprises that best fit their land, management capabilities, and available markets.
This year, MU Extension expanded the site to help producers assess the feasibility of raising animals, including pasture-raised pigs. “For a producer who’s been on the fence about whether to add pasture-raised pigs to a property, now’s a good time to evaluate the option,” Rahe said.
“That’s where Intel for Ag makes a difference. For people interested in starting or scaling up a business, it provides a framework for assessing the feasibility of business ideas based on their resources and goals.”
One of the site’s most helpful features is the Market Intelligence report, which summarizes consumer demand and preferences for specific animal products. Intel for Ag provides estimates of animal product consumption per person and by Missouri county, helping producers understand potential sales and identify what products their target market wants.
“For example, if pork consumption is stronger in urban areas than in the producer’s home county, that producer might explore ways to market products farther from the farm,” Rahe said.
The report also examines consumer priorities for visual and nonvisual product attributes, such as freshness, appearance, and whether meat is grass-fed or locally grown.
For instance, 44% of Midwest pork chop consumers prefer fresh over frozen chops, while 16% consider U.S. origin important.
“By aligning their marketing messages and packaging with what their target customers value most, producers can maximize their sales potential,” Rahe said.
Additional tools on Intel for Ag include the Sustainable Enterprise, Knowledge Center, and Land Suitability resources. When combined with market insights, these features guide producers toward animal production options that best suit their farms.
Expansion of the site to include pork, poultry, beef, dairy, and other products was made possible through grant funding from the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority.
Photo Credit: istock-apichsn
Categories: Missouri, Livestock, Hogs