From Hog Barn to Harvest: Idaho Farmer on Pork's Value, Manure Nutrients, and Closing the Farm Loop

Idaho farmer and former National Pork Producers Council president Dave Roper joins Fill Your Plate Now from his multi-generational family farm in Kimberly, in Idaho's Magic Valley. Roper raises hogs in a farrow-to-finish operation alongside cattle and irrigated crops such as potatoes, sugar beets, wheat, and alfalfa. He also owns MVP LLC Environmental Services, a custom manure-handling and nutrient-application business built around turning livestock manure from a management challenge into a crop resource. Roper traces how the farm has evolved, what pulled him into farming and later into environmental services, and the values he wants the next generation to carry forward. He walks listeners through modern hog care—from farrowing to finish—and explains why manure injection, nutrient recycling, and careful application matter for soil fertility, water quality, odor, and emissions. He also shares lessons from USDA research comparing manure application methods, the newest stewardship tools showing up in irrigated livestock country, and how pork fits on a sustainable, nutritious plate. If you've ever wondered what "closing the loop" looks like on a real farm—or how pork producers balance production, community expectations, and the environment—this conversation connects the barn, the field, and the dinner plate. Additional Resources Tammy Baker LinkedIn | Julie Murphree LinkedIn | AZ Milk Producers Website | Arizona Farm Bureau