A Brute of a Beard: Purser Wins 2021 Beard Contest
A thick, well-groomed, salt-and-pepper, eye-catching brute of a beard is taking home top honors in the 2021 Farm Journal’s PORK’s Best Beards in the Pork Industry Contest.
“This year’s winning beard was both rugged and well groomed, which is a difficult balance,” says judge Jason Menke, director of consumer public relations at the National Pork Board. “He also gets bonus points for embracing the natural grey.”
For Tyne Morgan, host of U.S. Farm Report, it was easy to land on Roddy Purser’s beard entry to claim the champion title. Purser owns White Rock Farm in Peachland, N.C., where he raises hogs, dairy cows and layer hens.
“William Shakespeare once said, ‘He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man.’ Well, it’s pretty clear Shakespeare doesn’t know what he’s talking about because this beard says, ‘I’m all man!’” Morgan says. “It’s burly, bushy and if that beard could talk, I imagine you’d be sitting around listening to stories for weeks. But what I like most is the salt and pepper color to the beard. To me, it shows the beard isn’t just seasoned, it’s experienced. And if I ever get drafted for a log-splitting contest, I’m recruiting this guy to come with me, because this beard is giving me full Paul Bunyan vibes!”
But not to take anything away from Brady Jennings’ beard which came in second in this year’s contest. Jennings is a Spotted hog breeder from Ada, Okla. Judge Chip Flory, host of AgriTalk, says Jennings’ beard can handle plenty of competition.
“These amber waves need a song written about them, and it needs to be played before sporting events. It’s majestic,” adds Menke.
Kane Causemaker of Atkinson, Ill., finished third with his well-designed, solid and robust beard, according to judge Flory. Causemaker is a hog procurement manager for JBS.
"The beard is polished, almost like it's a beard that prefers Woodford Reserve at the precise temperature with a nice cigar,” Morgan says.
In fourth place is Justin Fix of Muscatine, Iowa. Fix is the director of business development and genetic improvement at Acuity Genetics.
“A hair relocation project that has real appeal. It looks like that beard is the source of his personality and most guys are jealous of it,” Flory says.
Finishing fifth in a competitive set of beards is Ben Bobell of Lincoln, Ill. Bobell is a distribution and innovation manager for Sunglo Feeds.
According to Flory, this beard is the kind of beard a lot of guys think they can grow, but can't.
“I'm pretty sure this beard cuts and stacks its own firewood,” Menke adds.
The 6th-10th place winners are as follows:
6th: Nick Shaner, Prophetstown Pork sow farm owner in Prophetstown, Ill.
“Another personality beard - the sparkle in this guy's eyes and the cut of his beard makes me think he's a very young Santa-in-training,” Flory says.
7th: John Csukker, senior environmental services manager for the Great Plains Region for The Maschhoffs
“This beard needs its own Harley,” Menke says.
8th: Ken Norton, 5,000-head sow farm owner in Bronson, Mich.
“I like it - very distinguished, handsome look. It's a great everyday beard, but it's not built for a beard contest,” Flory says.
9th: Jay Archer, 1,200-sow farm manager for Smithfield Foods in Tarboro, N.C.
“A double threat. A beard that's manly enough to fix your car, but sensitive enough to watch The Hallmark Channel with you later. It's unfair,” Menke says.
10th: Nat Stas, technical services manager with PIC in Pittsburgh, Pa.
“He grew this so he wouldn't get ID'd at the grocery store. A good decision. The world needs more of this manliness,” Menke says.
A big thanks to all of our entries in this year's contest.
More from Farm Journal's PORK:
Unsettling and Awe-Inspiring: Kipker Wins 2020 Beard Contest
Who’s Bringing Home the “Bacon” for Best Beard in Pork Industry?
