Special Report

NPPC unveils painting to honor “Pig” Paul

The National Pork Producers Council honored one of the pork industry’s early pioneers during World Pork Expo this week.

NPPC president John Weber, a pork producer from Dysart, Iowa unveiled a commemorative painting in recognition of the contributions to the US pork industry of Rolland “Pig” Paul.  “’Pig’ was the first employee of the newly formed National Pork Producers Council,” he says.  “He was Secretary-Treasurer but essentially the CEO from 1966 to 1969.”

Weber says Paul spent more than 50 years working in the purebred swine industry.  “’Pig’ served on the board of directors for the American Yorkshire Club, for the United Duroc Swine Registry – now known as the National Swine Registry,” he says.  “And for eleven years was a field man for the Iowa Swine Breeders Association, now the Iowa Pork Producers Association.”

The painting, named “Pig Paul”, is the first in a series of three paintings commissioned by NPPC from Iowa artist Valerie Miller, owner and operator of Steel Cow, which produces livestock-themed art.

Two more paintings will be released over the next two years and presented to pork industry leaders.

AUDIO: John Weber, NPPC