The Illinois Pork Producers Association has announced Katie Brown as the 2026 IPPA President, marking a new chapter of leadership focused on innovation, workforce solutions, and the future of pig farming in Illinois.
Brown is a fifth-generation hog farmer who grew up on a sow farm and today operates as a wean-to-finish contract grower in Christian County, Illinois. Her leadership reflects the changing landscape of modern pork production—combining hands-on livestock experience with advanced research, technology adoption, and industry advocacy.
In addition to farming, Brown serves as Associate Director of Research and Development at The Maschhoffs, where she works directly with pork producers across the Midwest to identify real-world challenges in swine management. Her work focuses on designing research projects that improve hog health, barn efficiency, labor management, and sustainability in pork production.
Brown earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Animal Science from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and has become a strong voice for the next generation of pork industry leadership.
Over the past five years, pork producers have faced significant challenges including COVID-19 disruptions, labor shortages in hog barns, supply chain bottlenecks, and volatile markets. Brown emphasizes that one constant has remained: the resilience of America’s pig farmers.
Today’s pork producers are adapting by:
• Implementing new labor solutions for hog farms
• Using advanced technology in swine barns
• Improving data collection systems for sow farms
• Adopting automated controllers, sensors, and camera monitoring systems to track pig health and movement in real time
As IPPA president, Brown plans to focus on workforce development, research-driven innovation, and stronger support for pork producers navigating regulatory and economic challenges.
For pork producers searching updates on swine industry leadership, pork production research, labor solutions in hog barns, and the future of pig farming, this leadership appointment signals continued progress for the Illinois pork industry.
I'm Rachel Fishback with Pork Industry News — In Case You Missed It.