- link Copy URL
- [     Share on X ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Healthy Pigs Improve Pork Sustainability https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/153401?absolute=1&via=3blnews "Share on X")
- [  Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/153401?absolute=1 "Share on Linkedin")
- [  Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/153401?absolute=1 "Share on Facebook")
- [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Healthy Pigs Improve Pork Sustainability&body=News from Smithfield Foods https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/153401?absolute=1 "Share via email")
 
 

 [Responsible Production & the Circular Economy](/categories/responsible-production-circular-economy)

 # Healthy Pigs Improve Pork Sustainability

 


 

 Jan 29, 2018 2:35 PM ET

  ![](https://3blcdn.com/styles/carousel_2x/s3/2026-08/GHI_Blog_Image_1786879992.jpg)

 

[Originally published by Global Harvest Initiative](http://www.globalharvestinitiative.org/2018/01/healthy-pigs-improve-pork-sustainability/)

In 1989 – just 30 years ago – the U.S. had to import pork in order to meet the growing demand from American consumers. Today, not only are hog farmers producing enough to meet domestic demand, nearly 26 percent of the pork produced in the U.S. is exported to more than 100 countries. \[1\]

Decades of public agricultural research into animal health, herd management practices and feed grain production has translated into high pork productivity in the U.S.

**Today it only takes 5 breeding hogs to produce the same amount of pork from 8 hogs in 1959.** \[2\]

Read the full article [here](http://www.globalharvestinitiative.org/2018/01/healthy-pigs-improve-pork-sustainability/).



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 [![](/sites/default/files/Clients/Smithfield_GFR_VERT_CMYK.png)](/profiles/smithfield-foods)

 

 

### More from Smithfield Foods

###### [Dominion Energy, Smithfield Foods Complete First-of-Its-Kind Renewable Natural Gas Project in Utah](/news/dominion-energy-smithfield-foods-complete-first-its-kind-renewable-natural-gas-project-utah)

 Dec 11, 2020 11:15 AM ET

  



###### [Smithfield Foods Contributes 80,000-Pound Protein Donation for 24th Annual Mayflower Marathon Food and Fund Drive](/news/smithfield-foods-contributes-80000-pound-protein-donation-24th-annual-mayflower-marathon-food)

 Nov 23, 2020 12:30 PM ET

  



###### [Smithfield Foods Announces $500,000 Grant to Support Education Pipeline for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences](/news/smithfield-foods-announces-500000-grant-support-education-pipeline-minorities-agriculture)

 Nov 17, 2020 10:00 AM ET

  



###### [Smithfield Foods' Facilities Receive Sustainability Excellence in Manufacturing Awards](/news/smithfield-foods-facilities-receive-sustainability-excellence-manufacturing-awards)

 Nov 13, 2020 12:45 PM ET

  



###### [Smithfield Foods Launches "Helping Our Heroes" Initiative Supporting U.S. Veterans](/news/smithfield-foods-launches-helping-our-heroes-initiative-supporting-us-veterans)

 Nov 11, 2020 12:30 PM ET

  



###### [Smithfield Foods Donates Nearly 30,000 Pounds of Protein to Louisiana Foodbank in Wake of Hurricane Zeta](/news/smithfield-foods-donates-nearly-30000-pounds-protein-louisiana-foodbank-wake-hurricane-zeta)

 Nov 2, 2020 3:00 PM ET

  



###### [Smithfield Foods' Wilson, N.C. Facility Recognized with Manufacturing Leadership Award for Water Reduction Efforts](/news/smithfield-foods-wilson-nc-facility-recognized-manufacturing-leadership-award-water-reduction)

 Oct 23, 2020 2:15 PM ET

  



###### [Smithfield Foods Receives Best for Vets Employers Award for Second Consecutive Year](/news/smithfield-foods-receives-best-vets-employers-award-second-consecutive-year)

 Sep 30, 2020 11:00 AM ET