A new year brings a change in leadership for Iowa’s pork producers. And as Fort Dodge pig farmer Gregg Hora passes the torch to Trent Thiele  to lead the state’s pork association, it’s a good time to reflect on the successes and challenges of the past year, and look forward to what lies ahead in 2019.

Both leaders say the two new packing plants, the Triumph/Seaboard plant in Sioux City currently operating and the Prestage Foods plant in Wright County nearing completion, will provide more competition for hogs. That’s good for prices, they say.

“It means there’s going to be a better market for my pigs. For me as ...