From outrunning bears to riding a bucking horse, the 2022 Carthage Swine Conference equipped pork producers with a lot of great perspectives to think about. Here are a few thoughts I keep coming back to that might inspire or encourage you.
“You do not have to be the best producer in the world to excel at pig production. Don’t ever let best be the enemy of better. You just have to outrun the other campers when the bears starts chasing you.” - Clayton Johnson, DVM, partner and veterinarian at Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd., during Pig Survivability
Erica Lain discusses Iowa Select Farm’s sustainability strategy.
“Sustainability is a business plan…Make sure it makes sense for your business.” -Erica Lain, sustainability manager at Iowa Select Farms, during Sustainability
“Nothing describes the current market situation like the rodeo lifestyle. Not many of you maybe have ever rode a bucking horse, but that’s what this market really is that you are in. When you think about riding horses, it’s all about how much rein you have in your hand. If you think that horse is really going to buck, you want to have a tight hold on those reins. If you think everything’s going to go nice and easy, you keep it really loose.” - Clay Edwards, Cargill, during “Grain Advice”
Jose Santiago took home the top prize in the Production Tips and Tricks contest.
“We came to realization a couple years back that when one of us fails, we cause failure across the whole system. We can’t do it without each other.” - Jose Santiago of Tosh Farms during Production Tips and Tricks
“My advice is don’t do it for free. If you don’t own the packing plant, you have to get very close with the packing plant to know where you would fit. We’ve done some economics on this and say it’s somewhere in this $15 or $7.50 a hundredweight that we think that you should be trying to recapture.” - Bill Hollis, DVM, president of Professional Swine Management, during Proposition 12
Jarred Lorenz shares tips that have helped his farm over the years.
“Maintain good relationships with everyone, you never know who will be the one to pull you out of that ditch.” -Jarred Lorenz of H&H Farms during Production Tips and Tricks
“Over the last 72 hours, our team has been involved in discussions on a staggering range of issues from ASF prevention and preparedness, to supply chains and global realignment, and from California Proposition 12 to corporate policy discussions. A lot is happening in the world. The challenges we face globally and domestically are going to continue. Rest assured, NPPC is out there safeguarding our industry.” - Bryan Humphreys, CEO of the National Pork Producers Council during NPPC New Brand and Hot Topics
Dan Gowanlock polls the audience during the Carthage Swine Conference.
“Break it down to the lowest possible number.” - Dan Gowanlock, Swine Service Manager for Heartland Feed Services during Production Tips and Tricks.
“To develop a successful international hiring program, it takes a long-term commitment and investment of financial resources for the additional costs of governmental fees, legal fees, building a recruiting team and acclimation to the U.S. and your culture. It also requires staffing expertise to manage the program and patience to navigate the ever-changing immigration landscape.” -Twyla Stevens, chief human resources officer at Carthage System, during Talent Without Borders
“That immersive experience, just being willing to be exposed and being open to it, you can actually learn a whole bunch even if you’re not trying to learn. But if you’re not in that environment, you’re not going to pick any of that stuff up.” - Joe Dykhuis of Dykhuis Farms Inc., during Production Tips and Tricks
Read More from Farm Journal’s PORK:
Proposition 12 Compliancy: Don’t Do It for Free, Hollis Says
8 Ways to Bring Your Team Together on the Swine Farm Now
Is the Gilt Gap Worth Closing?
