Showing Pigs Built My Future in the Swine Industry

By Lexi Ammann, senior supply chain associate, Central Prairie Region, The Maschhoffs

Most parents allow their kids to participate in multiple activities until they find what they truly enjoy doing. I would not be at The Maschhoffs today without the opportunity my parents gave me years ago to show a pig. It sparked a passion and drive within me to pursue a future in the commercial swine industry. It provided the framework to build a career supporting the people and pigs that gave me countless opportunities throughout my collegiate and professional career.

In my role as a senior supply chain associate for The Maschhoffs, I focus on managing and coordinating the planning and logistics of the animal’s life from birth to market. There are many aspects of the industry that play a large part in how we make decisions around logistics of these pigs every day. Biosecurity, health of the animals and current market prices are a few of the reoccurring conversations we have daily to make the best decisions.

I can’t help but be grateful for the opportunity to grow up in the showpig industry. Without that fundamental experience showing pigs, I would not be involved in the swine industry today.

I have been a member of 4-H and FFA since I was old enough to join. As my family and I became more involved in our state showpig circuit and the National Junior Swine Association, I realized how many more opportunities were available outside the showring. From skill-a-thons to judging contests, leadership conferences and junior board leadership positions, there are many ways to expand your knowledge and gain multiple leadership experiences.

Skills for Life

Showing livestock is a unique platform that instills many life skills. Here are just a few of the skills that I gained that help me in my career today.

1. Responsibility

While kids will gain skills through sports and other extracurricular activities, learning the responsibility and hard work involved in raising an animal takes dedication and drive that is not always found in other activities.

2. Respect

You gain a level of respect not only for other people, but also the animals and the environment. When it comes to caring for animals, it teaches you there are no days off and you must put care towards that animal each day.

3. Awareness

You develop perspective and understanding of the bigger purpose within an industry that produces a safe and quality product to help feed the world.

Two Unique Platforms to Share Pork’s Story

I’m very fortunate to have experience in both the showpig and commercial industries and to be an advocate for each. Although the showpig industry makes up a very small percentage of swine production, that small percentage is a large part of the public’s perception on the industry and sometimes the only exposure consumers may have to the industry. The showpig industry has higher visibility because of fairs and shows, bestowing a responsibility on exhibitors to represent the care and compassion for each animal that reflects highly on both sides of our industry.

Through this platform at shows or even through social media, we can take the opportunity to educate those that aren’t familiar with the industry and share not only our story, but the story of modern pork production. Not every person that shows livestock is going to build a professional career in the agricultural industry. Regardless of what they do in their career, they will continue to be an advocate for the swine industry and share our story. Having advocates outside of our own industry is just as important as the ones in it.

As I reflect on the countless hours spent in the barn with my family and the thousands of miles we traveled, I realize now that we weren’t just showing pigs, it was much more than that. I was fueling a passion for an industry that has led me to where I am today.

More from Farm Journal’s PORK:

How a Grocery Store and a Packing Plant Opened Two Pig Farmers’ Perspectives