About the Guests
Dr. David Newman is the Senior Vice President of Market Growth at the National Pork Board. A third-generation pork producer and meat scientist, Dr. Newman leads efforts to understand consumer behavior and drive demand for pork. He focuses on innovative marketing strategies to position pork as a preferred protein.
Rob Brenneman and his wife Char own and operate Brenneman Pork, a fully integrated family farm in Washington, Iowa. Rob has grown their operation substantially while still dedicating time to advocating for the U.S. pork industry as a whole. Rob and Char have four children, who along with their spouses are all involved in the operation. Rob enjoys spending time with their 12 grandchildren.
Rob’s interest in livestock began with hogs as a 4-H project. He and his dad raised pigs at their home just outside of Keota, Iowa. While in high school Rob kept busy with 4-H and FFA. Rob received his American Farmer Degree in 1979. In 1980 Rob and Char married and started their own farm near Kalona, Iowa. In 1983 they built their first inside modern sow housing. Rob also took a job off the farm at UPS. In 1988 Brenneman Pork started to expand to what it is today. Rob received the Master Pork Producer Award in 1991. In 1994 Rob and Char received the Pork All American Award. They remain active with the Washington County Pork Producers.
In addition to serving as President Elect of the National Pork Producers Council, he also serves as the President of the Bear Creek Genetics Board of Directors.
Today Brenneman Pork owns and operates approximately 50,000 sows, markets roughly 1.5 million pigs per year and has its own feed mill and crop enterprise consisting of 3,900 acres of corn and soybeans. In addition to his roles on the farm, Rob is referred to as a visionary, strategic planner, coach, and mentor. Rob is passionate about and enjoys engaging youth and the local community in agriculture.
What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig?
- Why pork’s future depends on understanding younger consumers, and how research is reshaping strategy.
- How digital habits, color on a plate, and Gen Z values are influencing pork promotion.
- Why ground pork is having a moment, and why convenience is key for the next generation of cooks.
- How a united industry and unapologetic messaging could turn a campaign into a movement.
- Why the future of pork depends on making the whole pig appealing, not just loins or bacon.
