Being a swine caregiver is a noble calling driven by a deep appreciation for animals and a dedication to raising and caring for healthy pigs.
Zoetis is celebrating that dedication by telling the stories of pork producers, caregivers and Zoetis pork professionals through its Champions of Care content series.
“Caring for pigs is not an easy job,” says Jesus Garcia, pork production specialist with Zoetis. “Our customer relationships are our top priority. We pride ourselves on being another set of eyes and a helping hand to roll up our sleeves and work hand-in-hand with our customers.”
Garcia, a native of Honduras, moved to the U.S. with the intention of practicing English and learning about U.S. agriculture for a year or two before returning home to run his family’s dairy. Instead, he chose a career focused on pig health.
“I fell in love with the pork production industry. I stayed for the pigs but grew with the people that surrounded me,” Garcia says.
A typical day for Garcia starts at 6 a.m. and ends when the job is done. “Every morning, we’re going to go into the barn to see pigs and help people. That is really what we are most passionate about,” he says.
Rolling up his sleeves alongside Zoetis’ customers helps Garcia better understand the challenges they are facing, which is the first step to solving potential production-limiting challenges.
“We’re going into the trenches, identifying true science-based opportunities and helping provide solutions to any challenges our customers are facing,” he says.
As a trusted advisor, Garcia believes partnering on-farm with pork producers and caregivers results in shared success – for the pork producer and for Zoetis. Our paths might look different, but we are united by purpose – keeping pigs and farming operations healthy and productive.
One of those customers is Eric Meyers who began his career as a caregiver and is now manager for The Maschhoffs’ Holbrook Farrowing Farm near Holbrook, Nebraska.
As a young man, Eric Meyers was planning for a career teaching and coaching. More than two decades later, instead of sharing his teaching skills in the classroom and on the ball field, Meyers is coaching the next generation to raise healthy pigs.
“I went to college to be a teacher and a coach. It wasn’t exactly to teach or coach this, but I love seeing people grow and learn,” Meyers says.
Of utmost importance to Meyers is pig health, which includes providing the pigs a hospitable environment with food, water, proper ventilation and medical treatments when they are sick or injured. To that end, Meyers welcomes Zoetis pork production specialists and veterinarians into the pig barns to offer their insights into pig health, protocols and production efficiency.
“The pork industry goes through a lot of checks and balances to make sure that we’re taking care of these animals. That’s our number one priority,” Meyers says. “These animals are like our own. We take care of them to produce food for the world and we care for these animals very much. They are our livelihood.”
Equally important to Meyers is maintaining solid relationships with his crew on the farm and in the industry.
“Having a good relationship with my crew and with the people that provide products to us is crucial,” Meyers says.
To learn more about how Zoetis is honoring Meyers, Garcia and other pork producers, caregivers and pork professionals dedicated to raising and caring for healthy pigs, visit HeritageFeedsTomorrow.com.
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