03/28/2024
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The pork industry is big business in Bladen County. Roy Lee Lindsey, CEO, with the North Carolina Pork Council, provided BladenOnline with some updates about the industry. Below are the updates from Lindsey.

DEQ Holding Public Hearing This Week on New Biogas Permit

The NC Department of Environmental Quality will hold the first of four scheduled public hearings this week on the development of a general permit for farms that want to generate renewable natural gas. Pubic hearings will be held Tuesday (Kenansville) and Thursday (Clinton). We recently took a deep dive into the benefits of natural gas projects that provides valuable background. The Botton line: digester systems are proven to safely decrease greenhouse gas emissions and reduce odors. Let us know if you’d like to tour a facility in Eastern North Carolina that generates renewable natural gas.

US Supreme Court to hear legal challenge to California Prop 12

The pork industry has been fighting the California initiative (passed in 2018) that would prohibit anyone in the state from selling pork products if sows were not raised with 24 feet of space. The court is expected to hear oral arguments this fall. Dr. Barry Goodwin, an economist at NC State, says to comply with the law hog farmers would be forced to incur the costs of extensive renovations or the construction of new facilities – currently estimated at $3,500 or more per sow. Read more here.

Spring Brings Whole Hog Barbecue Competitions

The search for North Carolina’s best whole hog barbecue cook is underway. Each year, the NC Pork Council sanctions more than two dozen Whole Hog BBQ competitions across the state, culminating with a championship event each fall. Last weekend, Newport held its 44th annual Pig Cookin’ Contest, with more than 60 competitors. This weekend brings events in Greenville and New Bern. These events are about more than great BBQ — they also raise money to support the local community.

New Documentary Takes Look Inside Nuisance Trials

Hog Farmer: The Trials of Joey Carter, a new documentary from Raleigh filmmaker Jason Arthurs, will make its debut this year. The film tells the untold story of Joey Carter, a Duplin County farmer who found himself caught up in the middle of a federal lawsuit involving some of the nation’s most ruthless trial lawyers and one of the world’s largest food companies. Watch the trailer, and we will let you know when the full film is available for screening.

I hope you have a Happy Easter! I recommend enjoying a ham — not only does it provide a beautiful centerpiece that the whole family can enjoy, it makes for delicious leftovers. Here are some of my favorite leftovers:

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