Kentucky's Pork Industry

  • Kentucky ranks 18th in the nation for total swine production, with more than 1,8000 swine operations across the commonwealth. 

  • The value of swine production in Kentucky was $181 million in 2022. 

  • In 2021, Kentucky had approximately 435,000 total head of swine, with 863,000 marketed annually.   

  • The Kentucky pork industry supports 8,882 jobs.  

  • Most of Kentucky’s hogs are raised in western Kentucky, near the production of their primary food source of corn and soybeans.

  • Learn more about pork in Kentucky

    Source: National Agriculture Statistics Service and Economic Research Commission

Source: National Agriculture Statistics Service and Economic Research Commission

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Brayden Lancaster was the exhibitor of the Grand Champion Market Hog at the 2018 Kentucky State Fair Junior Market Hog Show. Lancaster, 12, is a member of the Meade County 4-H and has been showing pigs for 7 years. His 274 pound crossbred barrow was bred by Logan Farnham. For Lancaster, the best part of showing pigs is learning new things and making friends.

Meet the O’Bryan Family, who raised pork in Daviess County.

Meet the Ragland Family of LaRue County. They are now raising the 10th generation of hog producers.

Farmers pledge to uphold a core set of ethical principles to raise the best pork ever.

Featured
Know Your Cuts of Pork
Know Your Cuts of Pork

There are pork cuts for every occasion. Whether you’re craving decadence like belly or ribs, or something lean like pork tenderloin or chops, pork’s flavor gives life to any cuisine.

Food Safety in Pork Production
Food Safety in Pork Production

Providing safe, wholesome food is our most important responsibility. Ensuring pork food safety is a complex undertaking that requires awareness of the role that everyone plays in the food chain. On the farm, many factors can affect the safety of pork, which is why today’s farming operations employ a wide variety of technology and techniques to minimize food safety threats.

Sustainability in Modern Pig Farming
Sustainability in Modern Pig Farming

Sustainability on the farm is an ongoing commitment by pig farmers today. Farmer’s are committed, through ongoing environmental sustainability efforts, to safeguard natural resources for future generations. Over the last decade, we have played a leading role in advancing animal agriculture’s environmental and conservation efforts.

Caring for Our Pigs
Caring for Our Pigs

Farmers are eager to explain how pigs are raised and cared for. Few people have firsthand knowledge of what modern pig farming looks like. Now more than ever, we have access to many tools and resources to better care for our animals and meet consumer demand.

Take a Virtual Field Trip to Learn about Pigs and Sausage Production in Kentucky

Kentucky Farms Feed Me makes two stops in this virtual field trip. First we visit the North American International Livestock Expo in Louisville to talk with Kentucky high school student Renee about caring for and raising pigs. She also shares her experiences with showing pigs and where different cuts of meat come from.