Expert Panel Discusses How Strategic Advocacy Delivers for Pork Producers

DES MOINES, IA, June 3, 2026 — Advocacy experts from the National Pork Producers Council explained how targeted strategies deliver policy wins, beneficial regulatory reforms, and better market access for producers during a live panel discussion at the 2026 World Pork Expo today.

From Washington, D.C., to our states’ capitals, the panel unpacked how policy work gets done in support of the pork industry, with the backdrop of regulatory and legislative issues affecting pork production at the federal and state levels.

“Times are changing, and we are seeing pressure on our industry like we have not seen before. It takes a strong and respected voice to cut through the noise and ensure policymakers and regulators understand how their decisions impact our farms,” said Rob Brenneman, NPPC president and Iowa pork producer. “NPPC stands up for what producers need back home by combatting misinformation, ensuring legislative and regulatory decisions are grounded in science, and sharing transparent, factual information about agriculture.”

Brenneman was joined by Bryan Humphreys, NPPC chief executive officer; Maria C. Zieba, vice president of government affairs; and Pat McGonegle, Iowa Pork Producers Association CEO, to share insights about effective, strategic advocacy at every level of government.

Zieba offered a behind-the-scenes look at advocacy, underscoring how NPPC has successfully secured a seat at the table where key issues are being discussed to ensure producers’ voices are heard.

“Timely engagement is important if we want to succeed. We are engaged—in many cases—well before legislation and regulations are formally proposed, ensuring producer perspectives are considered early—and often,” Zieba said.

Zieba singled out the One Big Beautiful Bill as an example of how NPPC utilizes its position to proactively remain ahead of ever-evolving issues.

“Congress made a lot of cuts in the reconciliation bill, but when it came to animal health, they preserved the necessary funding NPPC requested,” she said. “This funding is an investment for the health and safety of animals and rural America, and Congress saw the value in this.”

Additional topics included the 2026 Farm Bill, California Proposition 12, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, animal health preparedness, and more.

As the pork industry’s largest annual event, World Pork Expo brings together more than 10,000 U.S. producers, global visitors, and industry professionals, making it an ideal forum for discussing pressing policy challenges and opportunities.

Left to right: Iowa Pork Producers Association CEO Pat McGonegle, NPPC Vice President of Government Affairs Maria C. Zieba, NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys, NPPC President and Iowa pork producer Rob Brenneman, and moderator Sarah Muirhead with Informa Markets/Farm Progress/National Hog Farmer, and Feedstuffs.