Women in Ag

Mental Health in the Pork Industry: Redefining Grit with Maddison Caldwell

Fri, 08 May 2026 18:33:05 GMT

In the stock show world, Maddison Caldwell was the blueprint of a firstborn overachiever: disciplined, organized and a perfectionist. But while she thrived in the black-and-white rules of life, the “gray areas” nearly cost her everything.

In college, she took a mandatory psychology class and realized she related to many of the topics they talked about. Caldwell sought help from her primary care physician, not knowing at the time that specialists existed for what she was feeling.

After months of increasing dosages, she reached a medical ceiling. When her doctor told her it was the maximum dose and ‘sent her on her way,’ she felt she had run out of options. Within five months, she attempted to end her life twice.

Private Pain to Public Hope

When she shared her personal battle in January 2022 , her story stopped being just hers. It became a shared common ground for others fighting silent battles.

“As soon as the article came out, it was like the floodgates opened,” she says. “All of a sudden, complete strangers – even people who weren’t involved with agriculture – of all ages from across the country reached out.”

Although it wasn’t easy to have the most painful moments of her life become table conversation, she doesn’t regret the decision to share it with others.

“This story came out right around the time I was starting my career,” Caldwell says. “I was reporting to an executive at a large company, and one of his coworkers on the executive team asked him, ‘Have you Googled her?’”

(Provided by Maddison Caldwell)

She will never forget when he asked her about it and the conversation that followed.

“He was quite a bit older than I am, and from a generation that didn’t talk about these things,” Caldwell adds. “It was a really uncomfortable and really hard conversation.”

But she believes those conversations are more important than ever.

“Doing things like that bring us one step closer,” Caldwell says. “I hope I never lose the drive to keep being uncomfortable in order to help people.”

Redefining Grit in Agriculture

Agriculture is making progress when it comes to talking about mental health and recognizing the importance of conversation.

“I don’t think we are great at sitting in that uncomfortable state,” she says. “We want to fix it and move on, or minimize it, or work harder and stay busy doing anything that allows us to avoid facing the reality of it.”

She believes it’s time to redefine “grit” in agriculture.

“In my opinion, grit means being honest with ourselves,” Caldwell explains. “I think it means coming to the realization that we need to reach out for help sometimes. It’s about the courage to be vulnerable.”

She also challenges the industry to stop equating grit with silence.

“You cannot pour from an empty cup,” she warns.

In an industry that prizes working until the job is done, Caldwell says the ultimate display of grit is the courage to admit when you’re running on empty.

Warning Signs

With one in five U.S. adults facing mental health conditions and one in five high school students considering suicide, Caldwell isn’t shy about offering advice now.

“One of the things I did was bury myself in work, in being productive, in not taking any time to just stop and ‘smell the roses,’” Caldwell says. “If you notice people withdrawing from activities that they would have once loved, pay attention. If they’re exhausted all the time, if they’re not talking as much, if they use the words ‘I’m fine’ all too often, or if they are pouring so much into other people at their own expense, those could be signs.”

Looking back, she admits it’s hard to recognize herself during those years. Her mindset is much different now. She challenges people to stop shying away from asking hard questions.

“People often think if you say the word suicide, it’s going to put that idea in someone’s mind,” Caldwell says. “Let me be clear that this thought was already in my head when I was struggling. I don’t know what would have happened if someone just blankly asked me if I was thinking about suicide, because that’s not something people talk about.”

Healing Is Not a Straight Line

Today, Caldwell lives by a quote she read early in her recovery process: “When we recover loudly, we keep others from dying quietly.”

“I will shout my story to the rooftops if it means that one person feels less alone in how they’re feeling,” she says.

Healing looks different for everyone, and everyone needs different tools, Caldwell explains. She compares it to going to Starbucks to get a cup of coffee and then realizing you don’t like it.

“Does it mean that you’re going to stop going to Starbucks altogether, or, even worse, stop drinking coffee altogether?” she says. “Absolutely not. Sometimes you just need to go to different places or add in a little sugar here and there based on personal preference. I feel like my healing journey is like that.”

Caldwell says the “gray areas” are still terrifying at times. But she’s learned that true bravery is figuring out how to thrive even when a clear plan isn’t visible. Healing hasn’t removed the stressors in her life, but it has increased her capacity to handle them.

The one thing that has changed in the past six years is her willingness to have uncomfortable conversations and ask hard questions. She is grateful for the family, friends and professionals that support her in doing this.

“Transparency looks different now,” she says. “I can text my mom to just say, ‘It’s not a good day today.’ That’s something I never would have done because I didn’t feel comfortable saying that.”

Stay Beyond the Crisis

Her message to farm families is simple: don’t just show up for the crisis; show up for the recovery.

“Stay to see them thrive,” Caldwell says. “Stay to hear people like my mom say that ‘the light has returned’ in their eyes.”

Maddison’s family members have been a key support to her in the healing journey.

(Provided by Maddison Caldwell)

On the sixth anniversary of being alive after her last suicide attempt, Caldwell lit a candle and blew it out surrounded by her inner circle.

“As I looked around at the simplest of things, I was so grateful,” she says. “I was flooded with all the beautiful moments I have had since that time that I would have missed out on.”

Discover more about Caldwell’s journey – the challenges that would have wrecked her before, the most unexpected people who helped her recover and the joy she finds in her career today – by watching “The PORK Podcast” on YouTube or by listening to it anywhere podcasts are found.

No one has to struggle alone. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available 24/7. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

From Products to Systems: Elizabeth Beeler on the Evolution of Swine Ventilation

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:10:49 GMT

Elizabeth Beeler is not your typical engineer. In fact, her husband jokes that she’s probably the most talkative engineer he’s ever met. With a passion for math, science and solving problems, she’s found the perfect role as vice president of sales for Double L Group based in Dyersville, Iowa.

“When you’re a young kid and people ask you what you want to do someday, it’s a little overwhelming,” Beeler says. “I was really good at science and math, so I chose the engineering route because it was easy. I knew I wanted to stay tied to agriculture because this is an industry that’s really about the people. In my mind, that connection makes our industry unique.”

Growing up on a 200-head farrowing-to-finish operation in eastern Iowa, Beeler obtained her agricultural engineering degree at Iowa State University. She then found a great opportunity to tie her passion for animal agriculture and engineering into a rewarding career at Double L Group, a company that provides ventilation equipment into agricultural facilities across the U.S.

For the past 10 years, she’s served in both engineering and sales roles for the company. She says the best part of her job is working with great people.

“People make the difference,” Beeler says. “I enjoy interacting with farmers and people connected to agriculture in some way. There’s just a level of integrity and passion in our industry that makes it stand out from the rest.”

Read on to learn more about her career with Double L Group – from her business philosophy to her views on the future of the U.S. pork industry.

What is your why?

At Double L, we want to make the product work in the customer’s environment. When you think of ventilation, it’s very directly tied to animal health and the facility’s operating expense. When you manage ventilation well, you can get good results. But when it’s managed or designed poorly, that isn’t the case. We do our best to help farmers, growers and integrators design and have the right product so they can raise animals more efficiently. This allows them to focus on other important things like genetics and feed – they don’t have to worry about respiratory issues or utilizing too much LP.

Describe a typical day on the job for you.

My days are very relationship driven. I am constantly interacting with our sales team, integrators, growers, Extension specialists and anyone who’s moving air through a facility. I am either on the phone or at job sites. Although every day looks very different, it comes down to a lot of problem solving.

How does your company help and work with its customers?

We start by understanding our customers’ needs and challenges. That often begins through an email, a phone call or a meeting, and eventually results in designing and building the ventilation package that will address their need. Double L is uniquely nimble through our manufacturing in Iowa and the ability to provide custom designs as needed. That is very important in ag facilities because they’re not cookie-cutter layouts. A facility in Iowa might be very different than a facility layout in a different state, and the equipment to service it looks different, too. We believe custom solutions are also important. We need to understand what customers need, and then how we fit into that from an equipment and product standpoint.

How has the business changed since you started?

Our company was formed 53 years ago. When I started, we were pretty much an inlet company, focused solely on swine equipment. As a business, we could see our customers getting more vertically integrated. Compound that with a knowledge vacuum as people with decades of experience retire from our industry, Double L knew customers wanted fewer vendors to provide more products. Instead of calling 10 vendors to get equipment to build a farm, they wanted to call half that many. Knowing that need from our customers, we’ve really built out our product line. We’ve had a very strategic focus to develop and launch quality products that include exhaust fans and the full ventilation package. In the past 10 years, we’ve launched and commercialized over 20 products. We’ve gone from selling products to selling systems, which is a better model that provides more value for our customers.

What concerns do you have about the swine industry?

One thing I think about a lot, especially as an equipment company and interacting with builders as frequently as I do, is the cost to replace the existing asset base. It’s a concern. If you talk to integrators or growers, building facilities today is different than building facilities 10 years ago. Every industry is like that over the expanse of time, but it’s increasingly challenging for pig farmers now. So, what’s our industry doing? We are continually taking what we have and remodeling to make it work. There are limitations to that at some point. When I interact with farmers and integrators, they know they need to replace or upgrade existing assets. Servicing that debt load or making that cash flow isn’t as easy as 10 years ago.

What are the greatest opportunities in the swine industry today?

Pork has a very good opportunity to play a bigger role in protein consumption. We have a good product, and there are a lot of opportunities that come with that. If I look at some of the other proteins on the market like beef, it takes a long time to increase the supply. People only desire to eat so much chicken. Pork has a real role to play in future protein demand

Who inspires you?

My parents have modeled what hard work looks like early on and often when I was a kid. I still take inspiration from that daily. I also have professional mentors who are further along in life than I am that I admire, too. From their careers to their marriages to their families, they model what it looks like to operate with integrity. How they approach work and life inspires me.

What is your business philosophy?

Double L’s business philosophy is to make the product work in the customer’s environment. I know that sounds simple to describe, but it can be tough to execute because ventilation is both a science and an art. Approaches on how to design facilities have changed over the years. Our philosophy is we need to put in the work to provide products that fit each environment. We also focus on treating people the way we want to be treated and that you reap what you sow. If you do those three things, good business comes as a byproduct naturally.

What will the business look like 20 years from now?

The swine industry is going to evolve both in terms of technology and adoption of AI to become more efficient. We have some big problems to solve today like labor, production challenges and the high cost of assets. Becoming more efficient will help us in that area. Over the next 20 years, we will be focusing on technologies coming to market that will be smarter in ways that provide the industry with more data and allow us to use that data more to make decisions. We’re still going to be raising pigs and bringing them to market, but the facilities to achieve that result, the labor associated with it, and the production to do it will look different than it does now.

If you could go back and do something different in your career, what would it be and why?

I would take more measured risks earlier on. Sometimes you get paralysis by analysis. You focus on all the information instead of taking action. The rate of growth on learning through doing is exponential. I tell my team all the time to fight fear with facts. If you don’t know why you’re anxious or not making a decision, find the facts, review, decide and move on. If you discover that was the wrong decision five minutes later because you now have different information, guess what? You can pivot and make a better decision. I wish I had told myself that 10 years ago.

What advice do you have for someone who might like to do what you do someday?

Opportunities will present themselves – lean into them. If you’re a little uncomfortable or you get that nervous feeling in the pit of your stomach, that’s when you should lean in, not out. Our industry needs young people to enter it. One of the biggest concerns I have is making sure we’re bringing in good, competent people to help us achieve our goals. Our industry needs more great young people.

This Thanksgiving Be Grateful for The Strength of Our Mothers

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 13:08:35 GMT

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the figures who have profoundly shaped our lives. This year, I find myself thinking about a striking statement from the legendary Coach Mike Krzyzewski, former Duke University and USA Basketball coach. He once advised, “Be as tough as your mothers.” This powerful message resonates deeply, especially with those of us who grew up as farm kids, where our mothers proved to be the unsung heroes of our upbringing.

The Unwavering Spirit of Farm Mothers
Mothers, if they are anything like mine, have faced the demanding realities of farm life with unyielding strength. These are women who fed calves in the sweltering heat of summer, irrigated pastures with children on their hips, and resolved marital differences amidst sorting cows. They managed household finances creatively, making ends meet even when the milk check was sparse, and they ensured that a family of eight was nourished from garden and freezer bounty.

My mother, in particular, embodies this strength. The oldest daughter of a U.S. Admiral, she once lived a life of luxury, familiar with Italian leather gloves, silk blouses, and fur coats. Yet, she embraced a new calling when she married my father, a devoted Oregon dairy farmer, and exchanged her glamorous wardrobe for rubber boots and ragged jeans. Despite this dramatic transformation, she never complained.

My late mother, Michelle getting ready to attend a formal event.

(Karen Bohnert)

Homemaker and More
After coming home from school to head to the barn to do farm chores, my sisters and I would race inside to a home-cooked meal prepared from scratch. Growing up with servants in a high-class setting, my mother learned to cook only after marrying my father, who humorously recalled losing 30 pounds in their first year of marriage. Yet she would remind him that he was doing ‘just fine now.’

Even when burdened by physical exhaustion or illness, my mom remained unwavering. She still managed to assist us with homework, ensuring that we not only comprehended the assignment but excelled at it, even if it meant staying up past midnight to solve complex algebra problems. She did this while nursing a sick newborn calf in the mudroom and baking pies for a 4-H banquet, lending yet another testament to a mother’s multitasking ability. Her ingenuity was a product of from being self-taught, reading the Merck Manual, learning from our veterinarian and her years of working in a hospital. Mom seemed to be able to do anything and everything.

My late mother feeding a flock of sheep in her Italian leather gloves and fur coat.

(Karen Bohnert)

Resilience in Adversity
My mother’s resilience manifested most profoundly when our family faced life’s harshest trials. When a house fire rendered us homeless overnight, she chose gratitude for the neighbors who welcomed us in. When one of her daughters nearly lost her leg in a farming accident, mom didn’t let her praying legs grow lazy, as she was grateful for medical advancements and her daughter’s recovery.

Values of Perseverance and Positivity
Among her most enduring gifts were the values she imparted—values characterized by a strong work ethic, kindness, gratitude and perspective. My mom never permitted self-pity to take root, a trait she exemplified in her own life. She instilled in us a perspective that transformed adversity into opportunity.

My three kids.

(Bohnert Farms)

Reflecting on the qualities I hope to impart to my own children, I wholeheartedly echo Coach K’s sentiment. I hope for my children to grow into individuals possessing the resilience and strength of their late grandmother. Her enduring legacy is one of tenacity, compassion and unwavering positivity—traits that are as essential on the farm as they are in life. This Thanksgiving, as you gather around the table, think of those that fill your heart with love, including your mother.

Leading with Heart: The Story of Hoosierland Pork’s Jennifer Romero

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 19:34:00 GMT

It started off as a minor inconvenience: Who doesn’t have back pain when they work on a farm all day?

Jennifer Romero brushed it off because she didn’t have time for it. As the Hoosierland Pork sow farm manager for Martin Family Farms, she knew her team needed her to be strong. But as spring turned to summer, the pain continued to escalate.

After multiple doctor visits, tests with no answers and excruciating pain, she knew something was wrong. A trip to the emergency room followed by hospital admission finally resulted in a diagnosis: cancer.

Romero immediately went to Indianapolis where she underwent surgery. Unfortunately, the cancer had progressed and spread throughout her body. When she came out of anesthesia, doctors told her they couldn’t get it all.

“I remember when I was little, and we were under a tornado warning,” says her daughter, Alyssa Wyatt, who is also part of the Hoosierland Pork team. “My mom had the front door open — cleaning and listening to music. She had no fear of the storm and told me, ‘When it’s my time to go, it’s my time to go.’”

Fun is one of the many words Jennifer Romero’s family uses to describe her. She loved finding ways to make people laugh and brought out the best in her team. Her desire to see them succeed in their life helped her succeed in hers, says her husband, Azael.

(Hoosierland Pork)

Gone Too Soon

Within three weeks of being admitted, Romero passed away in the hospital Aug. 17.

“It happened so fast,” says Melissa Bradford, a friend and operations coordinator for Martin Family Farms. “One day she was mowing here at the farm. Two days later, she went to the emergency room and was admitted to the hospital. Three weeks later, she was gone. We were all in shock because she was so full of life — a force to be reckoned with.”

Brian Martin, owner of Martin Family Farms, was in the hospital with Romero about a week before Romero passed away.

“While I was there, a young employee named Carlos was also visiting. He came to the farm as a TN visa worker,” Martin says. “Jennifer really took him under her wing. He thought the world of her. Watching her interact with him, and how affected Carlos was by seeing her in the hospital, was pretty humbling to me.”

(Mike Byers)

During that visit, she made it perfectly clear that her job was not up for grabs yet.

“Don’t replace me, because I’ll be going back,” Romero told him matter-of-factly.

For her husband, Azael Romero, operations manager for Martin Family Farms, his wife’s attitude and strength during her hospital battle is something he will never forget.

“She stayed positive the whole entire time,” Azael says. “She was such a strong woman.”

One Day at a Time

Azael joined Martin Family Farms in 2009 when they more than doubled the operation, working his way up to operations manager overseeing all farms. Romero, his “city girl” wife, followed a few years later and had moved up to sow farm manager of Hoosierland Pork where she led a team of 18 people and managed 4,000 sows at two locations that shipped 2,000 pigs a week.

“She always wanted me to succeed, and I wanted her to succeed,” Azael says. “Our professional and personal relationship centered around communication. Work wise, she knew her role and I knew mine. We had great understanding of the jobs we both needed to get done.”

A competitive spirit drove Jennifer Romero to continually improve Hoosierland Pork. She was constantly motivated to improve animal care and productivity.

(Hoosierland Pork)

Even though her team was at a loss on how to move forward without their leader, they had to find a way.

“You felt insensitive going about your work when everyone’s heart was so broken,” Bradford says. “However, we knew we had to keep going. The animals needed us, and she would have wanted us to focus on them first. But it was really hard to come to work that next week.”

A True Barn Hero

In the eyes of all who knew Jennifer, she was the definition of a barn hero. Martin says her passionate and driven nature made her perfect for the role of leading a successful team in the sow barn.

“She would do anything to save a pig,” Azael says. “She tried to pass that on by teaching others everything she knew while constantly soaking in more knowledge along the way. She was a quick learner and started from the bottom delivering supplies, checking sows, scraping feeders, power washing and all those things. She didn’t want to miss a step in the entire process. That’s why she was so good at her job.”

(Mike Byers)

Bradford remembers when a coronavirus struck the farm, Romero was determined to eliminate it immediately.

“The vets told her she may be better off to wait, and she said, ‘We’re going to do this one time, and we’re going to get it out,’” Bradford says. “And she did. Her farm was able to eradicate it, and the vets said they’d never seen a farm get rid of a virus so fast. But that’s how she was; she didn’t just say things. She was out in the barns showing how to do it.”

Romero was also known to wake up in the middle of the night to drive out to the farm and check on an animal.

“Even though she had 4,000 animals under her care, she wanted to make sure she did everything possible to try to save each one,” Bradford says.

Loving-But-Firm Mentor

Not only did she have a huge heart for taking care of animals, but she also had a huge heart for taking care of people.

“Jennifer was a direct communicator; there was not much floweriness about her,” Martin says. “She was a ‘get business done’ person who served as a great mentor, but she also was a mother at heart and shared that with everyone.”

If she believed in something, everybody would soon believe in it, Bradford adds.

“When Jennifer was a farrowing lead, she was fast-paced,” Bradford explains. “If she felt like you weren’t living up to that speed, she would bark orders. But over time, she learned and began to understand that not everybody was made like her, and everybody processes differently. That allowed her to be able to see other people’s perspective better and figure out a solution to get things done as a team.”

With time, Romero learned she had to balance her desire to constantly improve with some time to celebrate the success her team achieved. She firmly believed in team building and investing in people.

(Mike Byers)

“I remember her saying, ‘We spend more time together than you probably do with your family, so we need to learn how to work as a team so we can get through any challenge,’” Bradford says.

The work of a barn hero is never complete, Martin adds. It’s a job that just doesn’t end.

“Things won’t ever be perfect, but Jennifer’s leadership was close,” he says. “She helped 18 folks see the same vision day to day while always having an eye on continued improvement. She also recognized we have to balance taking care of pigs with a life outside of it. You can’t do 18 hours a day in a farm and balance a life next to it, so through time, she helped herself and others achieve that balance.”

A Second Family

One of the ways she went above and beyond for her team was looking out for the TN visa workers as they adjusted to life in the U.S. Romero was known to take her team to the grocery store or help them get to doctor’s appointments.

“She always took time to explain the differences between our culture and where they came from,” Bradford says. “She taught them things about living in the U.S. that we take for granted.”

Jorge Ayala started working for Martin Family Farms in December 2018 and vividly recalls meeting Romero for the first time.

“She was always available to help me learn,” Ayala says. “Animal care was her highest priority. She was strict, but she was very kind. I learned a lot of things from her that have positioned me where I am now.”

A lover of all animals, Jennifer Romero was famous for saying, “We choose to be here. They don’t. We need to make sure we do right by them.” Her example walking the barns and seeing every animal set a great example for her entire team about what it means to be a barn hero.

(Hoosierland Pork)

Life to the Fullest

One of the most valuable lessons Wyatt learned from her mother was that you can’t always control what life throws at you, but you can control how you react to it.

“Hardship made her into the person she was,” Wyatt says. “She understood that life would always be life. She found a way to make the best of it always — no matter how hard it could be.”

She found joy in living it to her fullest. Whether she was riding a horse or driving a four-wheeler around the farm, she always wanted to make you smile, Azael says.

“My mom was a needle in the haystack, a diamond in the rough,” Wyatt says. “She was big-hearted and helped everyone she could, even if she did not get the credit. She didn’t do things to receive things; she did things to bring happiness to others. She always tried to make the impossible possible in this world — she was a hero.”

Certainty in Uncertain Times: How Maria Zieba Fights for U.S. Pork Producers in DC

Fri, 09 May 2025 18:00:13 GMT

Whether she’s fighting for trade access on Capitol Hill or walking through a barn with a pork producer, Maria C. Zieba exudes a quiet confidence and composure that you can’t help but notice.

“Maria is so good at what she does because she communicates clearly and effectively, no matter who she is speaking to,” says her colleague Meghan Cline, who serves as the director of policy communications for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). “She remains calm, maintains her composure and doesn’t get flustered in any situation.”

For someone who serves as vice president of government affairs for NPPC and represents America’s 60,000 pig farms, that’s no small feat, especially with all of the volatility that’s being felt in DC and in farms across the country.

“It’s a difficult time for everybody,” Zieba says. “The calls, emails, text messages I receive from producers are always encouraging, but they also tell me what’s happening in their lives. They are coming to me because they need a steady hand. They need somebody that is going to listen, understand their point of view, and lead a team that advocates on their behalf.”

There’s no room to be flustered when you are leading the international and domestic policy teams at NPPC. But the truth is her job is challenging and there are times when she feels flustered underneath that composed exterior. But her passion for the people she represents is what makes it possible to keep going despite the challenges that come her way.

“There’s nothing quite like representing the farmer and people who wake up very early in the day and go do back-breaking work before the world has even started going ,” Zieba says. “There’s nothing that provides more drive than to know that’s what their livelihoods are. They depend on people like me to understand that, but also to have their best interests at hand and be able to communicate to others that that are different than themselves.”

What’s the Buzz in DC?
As a voice for the pork industry, Zieba finds herself tackling a variety of tough topics each day. Right now, the big topic on everyone’s mind is trade.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty for our producers in key markets, and with the tariffs and pork product not going through, that’s caused a lot of work over the last few months just trying to wrap our heads around all these new tariff announcements and ongoing negotiations,” she says.

NPPC’s No. 1 priority is to help producers have economic sustainability. One of the ways Zieba and her team strive to do that is by urging the Trump Administration to help grow market access for U.S. pork exports.

“Our biggest market access request to the administration right now is on Vietnam,” she says. “We see huge potential for U.S. pork in Vietnam. Unfortunately, we haven’t exported a lot and that has to do with several factors. One, we have to pay tariffs of at least 10% into that market while our competitors are at zero. We don’t have full market access, especially for white offals, and that has hurt us. There aren’t many markets out there that will take those types of products.”

Pork Producers Want Answers
In addition to trade uncertainty, farmers want to see a farm bill passed. Zieba reminds producers of how important it is to keep urging legislators to pass a comprehensive farm bill this year that addresses all the needs of agriculture.

Is that possible in 2025?

“This year, the timing is squishy, there’s uncertainty,” she explains. “That’s definitely the word of the month or of the year. We’ve been having conversations with the committees, the Chairman, and ranking members on all NPPC priorities and what we need to see out of a farm bill. But obviously, it is a negotiation and hopefully we can start seeing some movement here in the next few months.”

Proposition 12 continues to be a major topic on Capitol Hill. She says it’s imperative to get a framework and a regulation that prevents the states from complying with a patchwork of regulations.

“It is impossible for a pork producer, or anyone else in agriculture, to market their product if they have 50 different regulations on the books,” Zieba points out. “That creates uncertainty in the marketplace. It also creates food insecurity, which is something I care deeply about.”

How Parenthood and NPPC Changed Zieba’s Life
Zieba was born in California, but her family is from Argentina and Paraguay. She spent a lot of time on her mother’s family farm in Argentina where they raised cattle, cotton and sorghum.

“I didn’t have a lot growing up and there were definitely struggles throughout the years,” she says.

As a wife and mother to a 6-year-old son, Zieba says motherhood drives what she does in her job every day.

“I don’t want my child to go through the same sort of struggles that that I went through,” she says. “I want to be sure that when he grows up, he is in a world where he can have the freedom to eat whatever he wants to eat, have the freedom to go to a grocery store and have those products available when needed.”

There’s no question parenting has also taught her patience, Zieba adds.

“Not everything happens quickly in parenting, and the same holds true on the policy side,” she says. “Sometimes you’ve got to take a breath and step back from the situation. Then say, ‘Okay, what can I accomplish today? What can I teach him today? How can I show up for him today?’”

In addition to patience and perseverance, Zieba’s experience working for NPPC has taught her another important lesson.

“You’ve got to go in and ask for everything,” she says. “Then, keep going and keep going, knowing where and when you have leverage and when you don’t.”

She’s also learned to give people more grace.

“I think we all take for granted, that, of course, everybody knows this or that,” Zieba says. “But if you’ve not been exposed to it, and it’s not been part of your upbringing, what we do in agriculture and specifically pork production can be very eye-opening.”

When you give people grace for the things they don’t know and the perspectives that may be 100% different than yours, Zieba says you will find more opportunities for understanding.

“Our differences are what make us unique,” she says. “That’s been a very great learning experience for me.”

Listen to her entire conversation, including what’s happening on the labor front with TN visas and how she’s using her proficiency in three languages to make deeper connections around the world, on The PORK Podcast with Jennifer Shike anywhere podcasts are found or watch their conversation on YouTube .

Your Next Read: Don’t Be Afraid to Be You: Lori Stevermer Challenges Pork Industry to Show Up

Odd One in the Room? Embrace It

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 14:24:16 GMT

I have a love-hate relationship with March. I mean, it almost seems like March feels the same about itself. Tornadoes, snow, lightning, sunshine, rain, wind, wind, wind. You never know where you’ll find yourself in March and I’ll admit I’m not sad to say goodbye to it for now.

That felt a little like my travel schedule this month. I started the month off in San Francisco, Calif., at the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) annual meeting . A week later I was in Orlando, Fla., for the National Pork Industry Forum . A week after that, I had the opportunity to speak to students at Black Hawk College East Campus. All three trips reminded me of why I do what I do.

What a March it has been traveling all across the country to serve America’s pig farmers!

(Jennifer Shike)

It’s always been and always will be about the people.

Porkbusiness.com was filled with stories in March highlighting the incredible people who make up our industry – the people who fight for it , sustain it , challenge it and look for ways to make it better every day .

Look Around the Room
It’s my privilege to share those stories with not only the pork industry, but with all of agriculture and hopefully, the world in some small way. But if I can be honest, I often feel like the odd one at these events. I don’t quite blend into the crowd. I’m often seen typing away on my laptop, trying to keep up with the speakers. No one is trying to sell me anything and I’m not looking to buy anything. I may even scare away a person or two because I bear the badge of media.

This feels a little silly to admit, but it’s true.

I think that’s why my recent conversation with the National Pork Producers Council Past President Lori Stevermer resonated with me. She said, “Don’t be afraid to be the only person like yourself in the room.”

As I thought about my career, it struck me how often I’ve felt (and looked) like the only one like myself in the room. I know I’m not the only one who feels this way or has felt this way at some time. Sometimes, I think we need to be reminded of why that is a very good thing.

“We need diversity of thought in agriculture because everybody brings a different perspective,” Stevermer said in the latest episode of The PORK Podcast. “Whether you’re male or female, old or young, you bring a different perspective. I think we have to acknowledge that those differences can make us stronger.”

Say Yes
If everyone in the room looks like we do, I think it’s time for us to take another piece of advice from Stevermer.

“I can’t overstate how important it is for us to think of people that we need to tap on the shoulder and let them know we see potential in them,” she shared.

So, here’s my tap on the shoulder to the pork industry. I want to encourage you to apply for one of these awards sponsored by Top Producer, recognizing and honoring agriculture’s best. I believe the depth of talent in our industry is worthy. And if not you, who can you lift up to apply?

Top Producer of the Year
The Top Producer of the Year Award identifies and honors agricultural producers from whom our readers can learn business concepts, ranging from value-added ventures to succession plans to overcoming adversity. Deadline to enter is Sept. 1.

Women in Agriculture Award
The Women in Agriculture Award will be given to a female producer who is a shining example for her peers. The winner will be an advocate for agriculture and represent an innovative farming or ranching operation. Deadline to enter is Sept. 1.

Next Gen Award
The Next Gen Award will be given to a producer under the age of 40, who demonstrates excellence in the business of farming, including marketing, farm finance, family and employee relations, technology and environmental stewardship. Deadline to enter is Sept. 1.

I’m in awe of the resiliency and character of U.S. pork producers. Your hard work and contributions are worthy of this recognition, so go apply. We need pork producers to engage not only in the pork industry, but beyond. As Stevermer says, “Pork producers need to have a seat at the table.”

Your Next Read: Don’t Be Afraid to Be You: Lori Stevermer Challenges Pork Industry to Show Up

Don’t Be Afraid to Be You: Lori Stevermer Challenges Pork Industry to Show Up

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 21:50:28 GMT

When Lori Stevermer said yes to becoming a salesperson for Wayne Feeds, she was one of a few females in sales within the company. In fact, there were very few in the swine industry. Perhaps that’s why she has taken this advice to heart over the years that she’s since passed down to her kids: “Don’t be afraid to be the only person like yourself in the room.”

Although being one of the only females in the room created some challenges over the years, Stevermer says it’s also created opportunities and opened her eyes to the value of both male and female perspectives working together to find solutions.

“We need diversity of thought in agriculture because everybody brings a different perspective,” she says. “Whether you’re male or female, old or young, you bring a different perspective. I think we have to acknowledge that those differences can make us stronger.”

Hold Each Other Up
Throughout the past year in her role as president of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Stevermer sees how valuable a range of ideas has been in helping the board of directors achieve goals on behalf of America’s pork producers.

“When we took the time to go around the room and make sure everybody articulated their thoughts, we made a better decision as a board because we saw it from more angles,” she explains. “To me, that’s why making sure we have a variety of people at the table is so key. We make better decisions when we understand the complexity of the situation at hand.”

Contrary to when she started down her career path years ago, there are more women than ever in leadership roles within the swine industry and in agriculture now. But as the mother of two sons and a daughter, she believes there is value in encouraging young men to get involved, too.

“Just because you’re holding one person up doesn’t mean you’re pushing another person down,” Stevermer says. “We can do both. I think the key is sharing those small words at the right time that could help someone realize their voice does count.”

A Tap on the Shoulder
Years ago, someone shared a few small words with Stevermer that she still holds dear today – you’d be a good board member. She says that tap on the shoulder and bit of encouragement was life-changing.

“I can’t overstate how important it is for us to think of people that we need to tap on the shoulder and let them know we see potential in them,” she explains. “Even though I had grown up on a farm, was involved with farming, knew the industry and had confidence in myself, somebody else giving me that nudge and believing in me was pivotal.”

Lori Stevermer serves as the customer success manager for the Alltech U.S. Pork team.

(NPPC)

Scott Hays, a Missouri pig farmer, preceded Stevermer as president and has served with her on the NPPC board of directors for several years. He says it’s not hard to identify her strengths as a leader. She’s thoughtful, good at getting input from others, knowledgeable about the industry and considers all the consequences before setting a course of action, he says.

“I believe Lori’s knowledge of nearly every aspect of the swine industry comes from having these qualities,” Hays says. “They give her the ability to think strategically with the knowledge to react quickly when needed. Lori is effective in DC and in foreign markets because she has studied the issue and has a plan, so even a last-minute pivot when something has changed isn’t a problem for her.”

Big Issues, Big Opportunities
As NPPC president, Stevermer had to deal with many big issues throughout the past year. She’ll tell you that’s part of being the president, but NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys will quickly tell you that she dealt with more than her share of issues as president.

Of all the issues NPPC tackled in the past year, she says the farm bill looms in her mind as the one thing she hoped they could have checked off the list.

“We really wanted to get that passed and get that federal solution to prop 12 in the farm bill,” Stevermer reflects on her presidency that concluded at the National Pork Industry Forum in mid March. “As a person who likes to get things done, I feel like I left that one incomplete.”

However, she is grateful that their team, along with grassroots engagement by producers, was able to make a difference in the labor situation.

“We changed the narrative on the TN visas, and that is looking to improve. I feel good about that issue and how we addressed it,” she says. “I am proud of the state ballot measures (Denver slaughterhouse ban, Soma County CAFOs) that were defeated because of NPPC’s involvement and getting others involved.”

Keep Showing Up
When Stevermer took over as president just over a year ago, she challenged pork producers to show up and be engaged.

She knows this is not easy. But as Humphreys always tells her, “If it was easy, it would already be done. We are here to do the hard things.”

Stevermer will be the first to admit that the pork industry is complex. There will always be a variety of opinions from everyone trying to find the best path forward. She says sometimes half the battle is realizing there are no easy decisions.

“Pork producers need to have a seat at the table when decisions are being made,” Stevermer says. “Keep showing up. Be persistent.”

Listen to the entire conversation with Stevermer on The PORK Podcast on YouTube or anywhere podcasts are found. She opens up about her year as president, reflects on her journey in the pork industry, offers tips on how to talk to legislators and shares advice for younger generations making their way in agriculture today.

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Standing on the Shoulders of Angela Baysinger: Swine Veterinarians Pay Tribute to Legend

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 00:41:18 GMT

Pink jackets, pink pants, pink hair ribbons, pink shirts and pink scarves lit up the room at the American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting for the first Angela Baysinger Memorial Lecture: “Advancing Pig Welfare Together: Standing on the Shoulders of Angela,” presented by Anna Johnson, professor of animal behavior and welfare in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University.

“Angela lived life with great enthusiasm, adventure and like someone left the gate open,” Johnson says.

During her lecture, Johnson wove together eight themes that reflected Baysinger’s legacy as a leader in swine health. Baysinger passed away on March 8, 2024.

Jerry Baysinger introduced the first presenter of the Angela Baysinger Memorial Lecture

(Jennifer Shike)

1. She was a connector who saw value in relationships.
“To influence a story, you need to be entrenched in the story,” she says. “Angela was a consummate storyteller, and the stories always had purpose and meaning which in turn evolved into extraordinary impact.”

While delivering Baysinger’s eulogy, Lisa Tokach, DVM, shared one of her friend’s best traits was her desire to pursue and create good connections. Whether those were professional through her career as a veterinarian or as a protective through her role as a champion of animal welfare.

Anna Johnson

(Jennifer Shike)

2. A champion of audits, she helped create the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization.
In 2002, Johnson joined the National Pork Board as the first Director for Swine Welfare and oversaw the Animal Welfare Committee. Baysinger was a member of this committee and one of the first ‘soldiers’ to go out onto farms and converse with producers explaining to them what welfare was, how it could contribute positively to production, and that they were already doing a lot of good welfare practices, Johnson explains.

Baysinger helped develop educational materials and was one of the first to promote integrating animal welfare criteria into the exiting Pork Quality Assurance program. She went on to encourage the use of third-party audits and helped dream up the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO), which has become the authority on animal welfare auditing in North America.

“Angela saw merit and value in auditing. She was a stickler for correct auditor qualifications, training, practice and accountability,” Johnson says.

3. She believed in the value of the Animal Welfare Assessment Contest.
Baysinger became involved in the Animal Welfare Assessment Contest (AWJAC) for undergraduate students in welfare assessment/judging through her role at Merck Animal Health. She started the inclusion of AVMA member veterinarians at the in-person AWJAC event, through Merck Animal Health sponsorship of targeted travel grants. Her example and encouragement facilitated new sponsors, such as PAACO.

Angela Baysinger Memorial Lecture

(Jennifer Shike)

4. She pioneered the Advancing Animal Welfare Together Symposium.
“No one was as good at breaking down silos and bringing people together to talk animal welfare as Angela,” Johnson says.

The Advancing Animal Welfare Together Symposium (AAWT) brought together leaders in the fields of animal welfare and sustainability to broaden perspectives, leverage networks and inspire innovative solutions for issues impacting the future of the industry.

“After Angela’s passing, the members of the AAWT advisory council sought out the Merck team to ensure this symposium continues to encourage a safe forum for open dialogue and collaboration between producers, academicians, veterinarians, packers, grocery and restaurant corporations,” Johnson adds.

5. She didn’t shy away from the hard stuff.
“Livestock welfare can be challenging,” Johnson says. “It takes commitment, grit and determination to shoulder welfare projects in times of peace and hardship. Angela did not shy away from the hard stuff and embraced the idea that what is impossible today can become standard practice in the future.”

For example, specific to depopulation, Baysinger considered, researched, conducted, published and was a defender of ventilation shutdown+ (VSD+). She appreciated how the barnyard came together and supported her VSD+ efforts. However, Johnson noted Baysinger also ‘took the punches on the chin’ from stakeholders outside of the swine industry as well as from fellow swine veterinarians who did not agree with the method.

6. She was an avid learner of new species and processes.
Baysinger was eager to learn new topics, processes and species. Although she was a swine enthusiast at heart, she expanded to include poultry, beef and aquaculture. With her swine welfare knowledge, she contributed “out of the box” thinking to the poultry welfare discussion, Johnson shares.

“Angela was one of the first to work on the Processed Verified Program,” Johnson explains. “During this time, she had the opportunity to work directly with McDonalds, Dominos and others. This allowed her to understand the full value chain. It is remarkable the level of trust that Angela instilled among stakeholders, as well as a willingness to engage in tough conversations when they knew Angela was at the helm and ensuring safe spaces.”

7. She always looked for ways to pay it forward.
At the beginning of Baysinger’s career, she admitted she was not one to ask for help, Johnson says. As she matured, she became a firm believer in the power of networking, generously inviting those she mentored into her circle and extending her network to help her mentees grow.

“As one of the pioneer female swine veterinarians, Angela was a ground-breaker and shattered the glass ceiling for so many. Angela especially enjoyed mentoring younger veterinarians who added diversity into AASV and the swine industry, advocating for equity and inclusion,” Johnson says.

AASV

(Jennifer Shike)

8. She put a human face on mental health.
In 2022, Baysinger delivered the Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture about her own struggles with mental health and suicide.

“She opened up to an audience of her peers and shared that she collected and lined up pills that she would take to induce unconsciousness, restrict respiration and result in cardiac arrest,” Johnson retells. “As she prepared to take the pills the phone rang, and it was her son. He had forgotten his homework and needed her to run it to school noting, ‘Look on the bright side Mom, see I do need you.’”

Thankfully, she picked up the pills, threw them away, grabbed his assignment and took it to school. That every day, Johnson says three members of her friend group called her just to check in and chat, not knowing what had occurred earlier.

“After this she received mental health support, she received counseling and she rocked the world by learning how to fly,” Johnson says. “This message took enormous courage to deliver. It was raw, painful, hard, honest, and emotional. But in those few minutes of sharing, Angela stripped away the taboo of mental health and the incorrect assumptions that are attached to it.”

She went on to rally the U.S. swine industry to have an objective and honest conversation and to continue to keep the conversation going with her own personal perspective and experience. As Angela once said, “The most comforting words I have heard in my life are me too. In that moment you find out that your struggle is also someone else’s struggle. You are not alone. Someone needs you.”

Few dry eyes were left in the room as Johnson shared Baysinger’s desire in life was simply to make a difference.

Angela Baysinger memorial lecture

(Emily Byers-Taylor)

“Dr. Baysinger, Angela, colleague, consummate professional, animal advocate and our darling friend, please rest assured you excelled at this at every level, and we thank you,” Johnson says.

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What Happens When Women in the Pork Industry Rise Up Together

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 22:15:23 GMT

There’s just something about women stepping up to encourage each other to achieve professional success. After the success of NOVUS’ women-supporting-women poultry initiative named The Flock, the company’s swine team in North America is growing its Women in Swine Event (WISE) beyond a one-time activity, NOVUS shared in a release.

“When I first came into the industry, I was the only woman on the sales team as well as the youngest. I didn’t know anyone else who was in my position. To have the support of other women would’ve been huge for me as a young professional,” says Taylor Schminke, NOVUS senior sales specialist, who started her career in the pork industry at NOVUS in 2012.

Schminke helped host the first WISE getaway with her colleagues in 2023 in Wisconsin. The group brought together 25 pork customers again in May 2024 in Illinois. Activities at the events ranged from presentations on professional development and managing stress to less intense activities like candle-making and fitness sessions.

NOVUS says participation in WISE and The Flock is open to NOVUS customers who are women. The groups are kept small (no more than 30 participants for the WISE weekends) to ensure intimate connection.

“The focus of the week is building relationships. It’s about connecting. We create a space where people can be their authentic selves,” Schminke says. “Sure, there are presentations by business experts but there’s also bonfires and yoga and enjoying meals together. The goal is fellowship. As the hosts, we spend time making sure that happens for each of our customers.”

Competitors or Comrades?
According to the latest data from the USDA (2022 Census of Agriculture), only 36.3% of producers in the agriculture industry are women.

“Being able to bring women from different backgrounds and places in their lives together to show how they paved a path and can help pave a path is valuable to anyone but especially to women in an industry where men are still the majority,” Schminke says.

She believes there’s a barrier that exists, and that it is not exclusive to the pork industry.

“We have our guests fill out a survey after the week together,” she adds. “There’s always a handful of people who say, ‘I never would’ve met these women if it weren’t for this event; it’s not like I can walk up to a competitor at a trade show and introduce myself.’”

The events put the women in the same house together. Schminke says living together helps break tension and encourage bonding.

“They walk into that weekend knowing they are competitors but as soon as the conversations start, that doesn’t matter anymore. We learn quickly that we have so much in common and can learn so much from one another,” she says. “What’s really great is these women no longer avoid each other at events. They make a point of going to each other’s booths at trade shows and chatting. They’ve created a connection.”

Barb Determan, president of Heartland Marketing Group, Inc., and past National Pork Producers Council president, says she is grateful companies like Novus are taking steps to provide these experiences for women.

“When I joined the industry many years ago, there were very few women in sales and marketing or as elected leaders of the key organizations. That has changed and we are a stronger industry for that,” Determan says.

She believes the opportunity to connect with other women in the pork industry is very beneficial.

“We can share experiences, ideas and remember we have many hats to wear. Asking questions around the table and building contacts are just two examples of great outcomes from the WISE experience,” Determan says.

Rising Above
The presence of women in the agriculture industry is gradually growing, but there’s still a gap that can be decreased when women support each other, says Mercedes Vazquez-Anon, NOVUS senior director of strategic initiatives and accounts collaboration, and a presenter at WISE. She previously led the R&D team at NOVUS and has worked in the industry since 1996.

“This event provides women a platform to share their ideas, challenges, and opportunities, which builds long-lasting network support. Listening to each other empowers us!” she says. “Every woman at the event acts as a role model for the rest by sharing their stories. This has an extraordinary effect in recognizing and valuing women and encouraging us to do remarkable things.”

Schminke isn’t done fostering engagement within WISE. She hopes to keep engagement up year-round to solidify relationships built through this collaboration.

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Registration Open Now for USDA’s 101st Agricultural Outlook Forum

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 20:12:01 GMT

Registration opened for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s 101^st Agricultural Outlook Forum Oct. 31 announced the agency. The hybrid event titled, “Meeting Tomorrow’s Challenges, Today,” will be held in person at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott on Feb. 27-28, 2025, in Arlington, Va. In addition, all Forum sessions being livestreamed on a virtual platform.

USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer will offer a presentation on the 2025 outlook for the U.S. agricultural economy and trade. The Forum program will also include a panel of distinguished guest speakers, alongside 30 breakout sessions organized by USDA agencies that will explore a wide range of current issues.

More than 100 experts from government, industry, and academia will provide insights on key topics such as commodity and food price forecasts, farm income, U.S. and global agricultural trade, the future of biofuels, climate change strategies, and advancements in biotechnology. The in-person event will also feature exhibit booths by different USDA agencies, providing attendees with information about recent USDA-funded innovations and the Department’s key programs and activities.

The Agricultural Outlook Forum (AOF) is USDA’s largest annual gathering attracting more than 1,800 people in person and upwards of 5,000 virtual participants from the U.S. and around the globe. Producers, processors, policymakers, government officials, and non-governmental organizations attend this annual event.

Future Leaders Program

Applications are available for the Future Leaders in Agriculture Program, which selects 20 undergraduate and graduate students in agriculture-related studies (15 undergraduate students and five graduate students) for a weeklong trip to Washington, D.C. During their visit, students take part in a USDA briefing, discuss career opportunities with agriculture leaders in academia, government, and industry, attend the forum, and tour the nation’s capital. Winners receive free registration, transportation, and lodging. Apply today for the program.

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Elevate Your Expertise: Join Ag Leaders at Top Producer Summit

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 22:16:47 GMT

As technology transforms what’s possible, consumer demands change and the global ag markets are ever more dynamic. The Top Producer Summit leads the way in provides business, technology, leadership content important to the next generation of farm leaders.

For those farmers and ranchers who want to use creative and ingenious ways to elevate their operations, TPS brings together industry and producers in order to help them make informed decisions to execute their vision.

Top 5 Reasons You Should Be in Kansas City February 2025

1. Our agenda is jam-packed with the industry’s best speakers. Hear from all-time favorites and learn from speakers new to the event.

2. Top Producer Summit is a one-of-a-kind networking event, with plenty of chances to talk with peers and make new friends!

3. The 2025 event will be held at the brand new Loew’s hotel in downtown Kansas City.

4. Meet the 2025 Top Producer award honorees.

5. A few days away from the farm or ranch will let you discover business opportunities, gain valuable insights and increase your competitive advantage.

Hear from other farmers and ranchers about why they enjoy attending Top Producer Summit each year.

Register here today.

This Farm Girl Cooks: How a Farm Wife is Changing Lives Through Food

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 13:42:53 GMT

Deanne Frieders has always considered herself an introvert. So, if you would have told her she’d be a familiar face and influence in households across the country someday, she would have laughed at you.

However, in her late 30’s, she married her husband and left her corporate job so they could build their family of six on the farm in Waterman, Ill. Her new role included helping drop off meals, uncovering a passion that’s led her to start up “ This Farm Girl Cooks .”

“Little did I know my role change would help hundreds of thousands answer the question, ‘What’s for dinner?’” she says.

She created a tribe of farm wives to connect with and life has never been the same, she shares on her popular website.

“When I realized I can help others sort through the ins and outs of farm life, it really caused me to step outside of my comfort zone. Bringing people together with food as a common theme is so meaningful and important to me,” Frieders says.

Inviting the World into Her Farmhouse Kitchen
She won’t argue that it’s hard to feed a family every day, especially when you’re juggling a career or managing working at home with your family.

“I started sharing some of my field meals on my personal Facebook. People began asking me for ideas and recipes, which I hadn’t documented. I started to note them and now, here I am today!” Frieders laughs.

One of the first lessons she learned was what a field meal was and a what a field meal was not.

“A field meal is something that can easily be served without a table to eat at and without a knife,” Frieders says. “Many times, they’re handheld foods that can be eaten with one hand.”

Her favorite field meal is a good stir-fry where everything is in one bowl – protein, veggies and grain – and doesn’t have to be served piping hot.

“We work long hours on the farm, especially during our fall harvest. A balanced field meal nurtures us mind, body and soul,” Frieders says. “It’s important that we keep alert and healthy while dealing with all the heavy equipment operating.”

That’s where pork fits in so well as a healthy and nutritious protein.

Why Pork?
“We love eating pork in our family. My grandparents were hog farmers, but I never paid much attention to it as a little girl other than look at the pigs occasionally. While we don’t raise pork on our farm (we have a few beef cattle), I think I bring some outside perspective to pork,” she says. “I ask the questions consumers are thinking because I don’t know it all. And as a family, it helps to make a balanced diet for our busy lifestyles.”

As a cook, she loves how versatile pork is to cook with as it can take on so many flavor profiles from Italian to Tex-Mex to Asian. It’s also really good by itself, without adding other flavor profiles, she points out.

“It cooks quickly, it’s tender and juicy (use the 145°F rule when making pork chops and you’ll thank me!), and there are many different cuts,” Frieders says.

To help us kick off #PORKtober, Frieders is sharing her popular recipe for Pulled Pork Chili below.

“My pulled pork chili is full of flavor without being heavy,” she says. “And if I’m being honest, a sprinkling of cheddar cheese on top makes everything better.”

PULLED PORK CHILI
By This Farm Girl Cooks

“One of my all-time favorite chili recipes is pulled pork chili. The pork is cooked low and slow until it’s fall-apart tender, then it’s shredded into bite-sized pieces and added to the chili. This Instant Pot recipe also works great in a slow cooker (leave out oil) for 7 to 8 hours,” says Deanne Frieders of This Farm Girl Cooks.

Ingredients:
• 2½ – 3 lb. boneless pork loin roast
• Salt and pepper
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• ½ red onion, diced
• 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
• 1 Tbsp. chili powder
• 2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. smoked paprika
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 cup black coffee
• 28 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles (undrained)
• 15 oz. can dark kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
• 5 oz. can Great Northern beans (drained and rinsed)

Prepare the Pork:
Trim excess fat from the pork roast and cut it into four pieces. Season with salt and pepper.

Sauté Spices:
In the Instant Pot, select “sauté” and heat olive oil. Add red onion, cocoa powder, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper. Cook until the onion softens and spices are fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Deglaze:
Add coffee and scrape the bottom of the pot to lift any bits stuck on the surface. (This is called deglazing.) Cancel “sauté” to stop cooking.

Cook:
Add diced tomatoes, beans and pork to the pot. Stir to combine. Secure the lid, set the valve to “seal,” and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes.

Finish:
After cooking, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then do a quick release for any remaining pressure. Shred the pork and stir. Let it cool slightly before serving with your favorite toppings.

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How Two Pig Farmers Are Winning People Over to Pork Now

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 14:48:11 GMT

Surprises can be good or bad, says David Newman, senior vice president of market growth for the National Pork Board .

“The current economic situation of the U.S. pork industry is certainly in the latter category,” he says.

The industry is well off the peaks for 2022 in both market channels, explains Glynn Tonsor, professor in ag economics at Kansas State University .

“A lot of the challenges domestically that pork demand is facing have to do with macroeconomic forces that honestly are beyond the realm of influence for those of us in the pork industry,” Tonsor says. “The net effect of historically high inflation and wages that increase, but didn’t increase at the same rate, means a lot of people are tightening their financial budgets.”

According to Iowa State University’s Model for Profitability, farrow-to-finish operators in Iowa aren’t just losing money, forecasted 2023 margins look to be record-low, says Lee Schulz, an Extension livestock economist at Iowa State University who manages the Model for Profitability.

“This is the worst annual year pork producers will ever have,” Schulz says. “We always talked about 1998 as the worst year ever, but 2023, collectively, will be worse than in 1998.”

In response, the National Pork Board has reallocated funds to support market growth initiatives and further sharpen its focus on market growth — particularly enhancing long-term demand.

It’s Time for Something New

“We have to win more households, more consumers and more eating occasions – we need a penetration strategy that helps us grow the base of consumer,” explains Kiersten Hafer, vice president strategy and domestic market development for the National Pork Board. “We need a buy rate strategy – we need them buying more often and growing the share. We need a consumption strategy that grows their use and reminds them there is more to pork and a particular cut than they realize and have been raised with.”

In short, it’s not just about selling more pork. It’s about creating long-term demand and connection to pork that will sustain the pork industry and create a more stable base of sales, Hafer says.

“If you think about that, there’s really a spectrum. On the left is shopper marketing, and on the right is consumer marketing. Shopper marketing is about influencing and impacting the consumer at the time of purchase. It’s the opportunity to drive immediate sales, it’s the opportunity to go after share and buy rate and drive volume,” she says.

The National Pork Board is working to bring pork into the forefront to talk about easy meals tonight or cross-selling within the portfolio of getting people from processed pork over to the fresh pork case, she adds.

To the far left of the spectrum, brand-driven programs are working to change perceptions of consumers in market through a longer-term proposition and plan. We are thinking about both long-term and short-term and balancing of efforts to ensure they are growing simultaneously, she says.

Perhaps most importantly, all of National Pork Board’s messaging in retail will lead with taste and flavor.

“That’s our opportunity to disrupt everything else out there, to break through in a busy time of year, and help consumers realize pork could bring them something they may have been missing, or might be craving,” she says.

Listen to the Consumer

Some of the ways National Pork Board plans to meet the consumer where they are include:

Tie cuts and recipes to cooking methods (appliances) they are using.
Give them confidence they can cook pork and it will be a great meal and eating experience.
Help them cook with confidence and make their meal.

Gene Noem, Iowa pork producer and past National Pork Board president, says, “A person in the food industry told me one time that the biggest mistake you can make in food is to imagine that people like the same thing that you do. You’ve got to listen to what people are saying. And you’ve got to listen to why they’re making the choices that they are.”

Pulling the Curtain Back on Pig Farming

Phillip Hord, a fifth-generation farmer born and raised on his family’s farm in Bucyrus, Ohio , wasn’t always sure if farming was his true calling. However, it didn’t take too many years being away from the commercial swine operation in north-central Ohio for Hord to determine he wanted to follow in his family’s footsteps.

What brought him back to the farm? Hord credits his time away with giving him the clarity of what tremendous opportunities truly exist in today’s pork industry. Whether it is making incremental improvements in on-farm live production statistics, working on integrating new ways to improve sustainability, or focusing on how to improve consumer pork demand, Hord says this was where he was meant to be.

When he first came back to his family’s operation, he focused heavily on the production side of the business. That is until he carved out his own specialty. One of his specialties became finding ways to serve up more demand for pork. 

“In an industry where few producers are vertically integrated, it’s extremely important we know where our products are going and what that product looks like,” he adds. 

Connecting with Food Service, Retailers and Consumers

Hord says anything he does on the farm has to provide value through the entire pork chain. Over time, he says that has meant going straight to the next link in the chain: retailers and food service. 

“Talking directly to retailers and food service individuals who are out there making decisions about where our product goes is very important because without them and their work, our product may not get on shelves or served in restaurants, which would make our industry unviable. There would be no need for our pig farm or any others,” Hord explains. 

Whether it’s having conversations with retailers or bringing groups out to their farm, Hord is a true believer in pulling back the curtain
on their operation. 

“Our perspective is, ‘why not be connected?’ and, ‘why not be a resource to answer questions while giving opportunities for others to visit the farm?’” Hord says.

Hord’s passion is evident about growing demand for U.S. pork whether that’s through their farm’s efforts in creating connections or sharing the farm’s story.

“The people in retail and food service we talk to are genuinely curious to find that a lot of our farms, we believe, are going to be carbon neutral, if not carbon negative. That is an awesome story to be able to tell,” Hord says. 

Not only can he tell them about their farm’s journey to carbon neutrality, but he can also put numbers behind that story. Success in this area has come through big, long-term commitments, as well as small everyday changes around the farm. 

“When it comes to reducing our carbon footprint, we’re implementing practical changes such as adopting LED lighting on our farms, and in the birthing areas, converting away from heat lamps. “We’re using baby pig heat mats instead of a heat bulb because they use less electricity and actually provide a better environment for small pigs,” Hord adds. 

While progress and innovation are essential for the Hords, they aren’t doing a complete overhaul in everything they have been doing. In some cases, the family isn’t making any changes. However, they are carefully quantifying the farm’s impact by capturing data and communicating what it means to the farm’s overall sustainability picture. 

For many consumers today, Hord says simply going back to the basics of telling them how pig farmers are the original recyclers and re-users of nutrients is a critical step to getting them to view farmers as true champions of sustainability.

“To tell how we’re using manure from the animals in the fields, which then helps grow the grain to feed back to the animals in the same area, is a really cool thing to talk about as a recurring cycle,” he says. “A lot of people aren’t aware of how that process works until you tell them and it’s up to us to do that.”

Hogs, Hope and Trust: How One Pig Farmer is Reaching Consumers

“With hogs and hope” is how first-generation Ohio farmer Jessica Stevens built her pork operation from scratch in 2013.

Carroll Creek Farms , located in Waynesville, Ohio, is not your typical hog farm, she explains. Her niche operation offers 11 acres for her pigs to roam, in addition to a barn they can go into whenever they want. She’s focused on raising primarily Berkshire and Duroc swine.

Although Stevens is passionate about how her operation functions, she’s the first to point out that she doesn’t believe all pigs need to be raised one way or another.

“With our location between Cincinnati and Dayton, I knew if I was going to be an operational farm for more than just my generation, I needed to have it work with the ecosystem here, which is ever urbanizing,” Stevens says.

A Unique Way to Sell Pork

It’s not just how her pigs are raised that some call unique, but also how the meat is sold. Stevens decided to go direct to consumer, while also finding a way to be part of the community. She says she wanted her farm to be viewed as a partner.

“There’s a variety of different ways that people can buy from Carroll Creek,” Stevens says. “The first is the ‘Meat Retreat.’ We have our home farm open to the public every day, seven days a week, where we just trust people. They come down our driveway, and we have the honor system where they can check themselves out and grab whatever meats they need for the day, and then take off.”

Carroll Creek also sells products at a few farmers markets and even online. No matter where the pork products are being sold, she wanted to make sure the products they offered consumers were done so in a convenient way.

As an ag lender and mom of three, Stevens says her time to cook is limited. That’s why she sees ground pork as a huge opportunity for growth.

“I think moving into that space where it’s more ready-to-eat and quick and easy is going to provide a world of opportunity for the future,” she says.

From chorizo to other ground pork specialties, Stevens sees ground pork as a convenient option for shoppers, and one that will help boost demand for pork. Building that confidence among consumers could live on for generations, even on their own farms.

“When we’re out there doing the hard work and building this business from scratch, it’s really not as much about our generation, but setting up the next generation, and ensuring that they have a viable operation to come back to,” Stevens says.

10 Things Women in Agriculture Need to Remember

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 11:37:56 GMT

A hush went over the room of women representing varying stages of life – some just starting out in the workforce, others smack-dab in the middle of motherhood and career balancing, and even empty-nesters facing the final years of their career.

“How do you silence the negative voice of doubt?”

The question wasn’t an overly difficult one at face value. But it’s a question many women in agriculture face wrestle with as they try to succeed at their career while creating a life they want to live.

Doubt can be an overpowering voice in your head, but it’s one you need to silence fast, explained Annie Grinstead, owner of Positive Energy, Inc., during a panel discussion at the Elevate Women in Agriculture event.

She joined Crystal Blin, rural entrepreneur; Kylee Deniz, Oklahoma Pork Council executive director; and Cara Haden, DVM, director of animal welfare for Pipestone Veterinary Services in a thought-provoking and challenging address to women in agriculture. The panel, led by Kacee Bohle of Kacee Bohle Coaching was a highlight at this first-time event hosted by Zinpro in West Des Moines, Iowa, on June 3-4.

The seasoned career advice and personal encouragement inspired women of all ages. Here are some of my favorites.

1. “Don’t overjudge yourself.” – Annie Grinstead

2. “Know when to step away. When you close a chapter, it allows you to start a new one.” – Crystal Blin

3. “Comparison is the thief of joy. Seasons of life may look different. Stop comparing your season to theirs.” – Cara Haden, DVM

4. “Are you showing up to earn a living or are you living and earning an income along the way?” – Kacee Bohle

5. “Don’t pull so many all-nighters and drink fewer Red Bulls. (Take care of your health.” – Annie Grinstead

6. “Your tribe attracts your vibe. Value people. I can’t emphasize how important people are in your journey. The people along the path will make your life great.” – Kylee Deniz

7. “Your mentors don’t need to look like you. A diversity of perspectives is good.” – Cara Haden, DVM

8. “Deadlines drive results.” – Kylee Deniz

9. “Step outside your industry. It will open your eyes and refresh your creativity.” – Crystal Blin

10. “You have value, worth and dignity as a human. Rest in that. That’s enough.” – Cara Haden, DVM

Read more:
Tired of Doing It All? Why You Need to Set Boundaries Now

Stop Judging Women By Their Highlight Reel On Social Media

Stop Judging Women By Their Highlight Reel On Social Media Now

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 20:49:37 GMT

In this era of social media, it’s easy to think we know someone from the highlight reel they share with others. Kaylee Keppy-McDonnell, swine account manager at Zinpro Corporation, says the challenge is we often make assumptions before we really get to know the people behind the reel.

That’s why she wanted to create a space that allowed women in agriculture to meet face to face and have deeper conversations to help people bridge divides. On June 4, Keppy-McDonnell kicked off the first Elevate Women in Agriculture conference at The Rewind Hotel in West Des Moines, Iowa.

“Our swine team decided we needed to do something different, to think outside the box and we landed on a women in ag event,” she says. “I knew just from being a woman in different aspects of this industry – a first-time mom, a stepmom of two teenagers and all the ups and downs life can throw at you – I felt a strong need to connect with other passionate lady leaders.”

Knowing she couldn’t be alone in seeking something like that, Keppy-McDonnell set out to fill that professional and personal development void she was facing. The event featured a space for insightful discussion, shared experiences and a valuable place for networking opportunities to contribute to growth both personally and professionally.

“I truly think that as women in ag, our dedication, expertise and passion play such a vital role in shaping our industry. I believe it is important as we try to be the ‘superheroes’ day to day, in and out of work life, that we have a community or a network of people we can lean on, share our thoughts, and ideas with,” she explains. “I wanted to help women truly find their people and their cheerleaders. By no means am I suggesting it should be girls versus boys, but sometimes in life, women just need their girl gang to cheer them on.”

She organized it to take place right before the largest swine industry gathering – the World Pork Expo. In addition to a session on strategies for showing up as your most authentic self with rural entrepreneur Crystal Blin, participants also took part in a “Working Genius” personality workshop led by Kacee Bohle of Kacee Bohle Coaching.

After a welcome from Keppy-McDonnell on June 4, Bohle led off with a session on “Work/Life Balance, Setting Boundaries and Seasons of Life.”

“Trying to do all the things all the time is exhausting,” Bohle said. “So often we hang onto things, jobs, mindsets and people because we are afraid of hurting feelings. It’s OK to step into the new. What you are not changing, you are choosing.”

She challenged participants to take a hard look at what they are choosing. Then, to take action to pursue what they do want to do and develop the skills and mindset to get there. Read more here.

Bohle then led a panel of women in agriculture discussing a variety of topics from comparison to grieving hard changes. The panel included Blin, Kylee Deniz, Oklahoma Pork Council executive director; Annie Grinstead, owner of Positive Energy, Inc.; and Cara Haden, DVM, director of animal welfare for Pipestone Veterinary Services.

“Comparison is the thief of joy,” Haden said.

She reminded participants that seasons of life look different for everyone. One lesson she has learned over the years is not to waste time comparing her season of life to someone else’s season of life.

“There were so many valuable takeaways from this event,” Keppy-McDonnell says. “I’m sure every woman took away something different. The one common denominator I saw was that there truly was a gap filled through an event like this. Women need a space to have genuine, good conversation around work-life balance.”

At the end of the day, she points out we all need encouragement that we are not alone in our journey or season of life.

“Sometimes we need reminded that women can do all the things,” she says. “It’s just a matter of how intentional we are and what priorities take the lead during that time. Let’s keep doing big things to elevate each other and know that when life gets tough or challenging, we have a community of women who are there to cheer us on.”

Read More:
Never Underestimate What You Can Accomplish

Does Mycoplasma Hyopneumoniae Elimination Impact Reproductive Performance and Retention?

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 14:00:00 GMT

Meet Lindsey Huntress Britton, our latest addition to Farm Journal’s PORK’s Up & Coming Leaders feature. We are showcasing some of the fresh, new voices of the pork industry who combine innovative thought and work ethic with scientific savvy and a passion to make a difference.

Age: 24
Education: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees, North Carolina State University; Pursuing DVM at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Hometown: Edenton, N.C.

Q. How did you become interested in pursuing a career in the swine industry?
A. My first exposure to the swine industry was in my introduction to animal science class taught by Billy Flowers at North Carolina State University (NCSU). I did not grow up around livestock. Through my first animal science class, I decided that I wanted to learn more about the industry. I pursued a swine production internship working on a large sow farm the following summer and then started working as a student employee at NCSU’s Swine Educational Unit. These initial experiences developed my interest in the industry as I fell in love with not only the pigs, but the people, too. I knew after that I wanted to learn more about the industry and to become more involved however possible.

Q. Describe any undergraduate research experiences you’ve had.
A. I did not directly work in a lab during my undergraduate degree, but through the internships I completed I developed an interest in research and pursuing a master’s degree.

Q. Describe any internship experiences you’ve had.
A. I have completed two veterinary internships with Smithfield Hog Production where I had research projects that focused on rotavirus, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (MHP), swine influenza, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSv). These internships formed a deep interest in conducting research to help reduce and eliminate the impact of diseases on the swine industry which led me to pursue my master’s in swine physiology under the direction of Billy Flowers.

Q. Describe any other swine-related experiences you’ve had.
A. I am very grateful for the swine industry and the people in it that are so willing to educate young people and develop our passion for the industry. I have had the opportunity to participate as a Real Pork Scholar through the National Pork Board which has developed my communication skills and built my network within the industry as well as it has provided me with an industry mentor. Programs like this are amazing for students looking to further develop themselves to become better advocates for the industry when they enter the workforce.

Q. Tell us about your current research.
A. My master’s degree research focused on the impact of MHP elimination on reproductive performance and retention within swine herds. MHP is a bacterial pathogen known to cause enzootic pneumonia and leading to reduced growth and feed efficiency. All of the work that has previously been done with MHP has been looking at grow-finish animals and their reduced performance. My master’s degree work looked at the impact of MHP at the breeding herd level to see if there was any impact on reproductive performance and retention of gilts exposed to high and low levels of the pathogen. This research could be very beneficial knowledge to the swine industry to encourage producers to eliminate the pathogen from breeding herds in order to have greater reproductive success with more animals staying in the herd longer with reduced disease loads. I am looking forward to the next step in my education pursuing a DVM where I will be able to impact the swine industry as a veterinarian in the future.

Q. What’s the greatest challenge for your generation?
A. I believe my generation will be facing many challenges within the swine industry which includes the lack of labor on farms, the lack of people turning towards agricultural jobs or returning to the farm, and the transition of the consumer choosing protein sources other than pork for their meals. I’ll focus on the third challenge the industry is facing, which I believe the National Pork Board is making great strides to begin to understand and address this point through their consumer segmentation study. Understanding the consumer and what they are looking for can better help us as an industry market our product.

Read More:
Meet the 2023 Real Pork Scholars

What Makes a Barn Hero?

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:48:52 GMT

What makes a barn hero? AgriTalk’s host Chip Flory visited with Farm Journal’s PORK editor, Jennifer Shike and our first featured barn hero, Summer Doty, who is the farrowing manager at Islercrest Farms in Ohio.

“I think perhaps the most important stories that we need to talk about are the stories of the people that are in the barn working hard every day to make sure that our pigs have the absolute best environment possible to be raised up in and are really working hard to be able to make sure that pork production is efficient, and meets all of the goals that we’re trying to reach every day,” Shike says.

As the farrowing manager, Doty works in one of the sow units, taking care of all the gestating, lactating and farrowing sows.

“Putting sow health and sow happiness above all else in the barn is priority number one,” Doty shares.

It’s very cool to get to know some of the young people that are coming into the industry and that are working hard and making a real contribution to the success on the farms, Flory points out.

“Our barn heroes we’re featuring all have different paths that they’ve taken, but they’re all making a huge impact in the barns that they work in,” Shike says. “Summer may be young, but her experience and her perspective and her attention to detail, make her a hero and she is very special on their farm,” Shike says.

Doty always had a love of animals, showed pigs while growing up and attended college for an animal science degree. That experience made her familiar with raising pigs, but she admits she wasn’t sure what she expected starting to work for a large-scale commercial operation.

“It’s definitely different than what I thought coming in for the first time,” she says. “I didn’t really know what commercial scale agriculture really was, or what I would be doing day-to-day. But I’ve really gotten used to it. And I think most people can’t judge it looking from the outside. You almost have to be inside the barn at least once or twice to really get a feel for what goes on here and what we do.”

Flory was curious how her first day on the job was.

“You’re trailing around learning everything at once,” Doty says. “And if you retain 20% of it, that’s a great second day.”

There’s always so much to learn, but Doty can’t see herself doing anything else but caring for animals.

“I think it’s something that I will always participate in and I can see it being a career for myself,” she says.

It’s important for the industry to reach out to young people who are showing livestock and try to get them excited to come back into production ag.

“She knew she loved pigs and had the opportunity to show them and raise a few,” Shike says. “It’s just how do we tie into more of those young people who really have a knack and a gift for working with animals and bring them into commercial production. We’ve got to help them find themselves and see themselves in those roles.”

The Barn Hero series highlights what is so great about the pork industry. The people.

“I’ve really enjoyed going to the barns and getting to follow our Barn Heroes around and just getting a chance to see them doing what they do every day,” Shike says. “When you go through the barn and follow her around, it’s funny to watch the sows, they just love her. When she walks in, they respond.”

If you know a barn hero who deserves recognition, email us at jshike@farmjournal.com.

Listen to the full episode:

We will be uniting together June 3-8 for PORK Week across all of our Farm Journal platforms to elevate the important role the pork industry plays in feeding the world. Share your stories and post photos on social media using #PORKWeek to help us honor the pork industry. From “AgDay TV” to “AgriTalk” to “U.S. Farm Report” to PorkBusiness.com and everything in between, tune in and join us as we acknowledge the most noble profession there is: feeding people.

Check out our Barn Heroes Series:

Barn Hero Summer Doty: Prioritizing Pig Care

Barn Hero Alma Valdez: ‘Success is Never Just Your Success’

Iowa Farm Wife and Mom Shares Online to Help Other Women

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 02:08:33 GMT

Communication, efficiency and individuality are core values for Dawn Kress, a mom of three who raises pigs with her husband in Iowa. She’s passionate about pork and helping other women who want to live a healthy lifestyle.

“By realizing my core values, I found my place within our operation and the pork industry,” Kress says. “I enjoy sharing my perspective on the quality product we raise as it relates to other busy moms wearing all the hats and doing all the things.”

Finding her voice and being able to share online has been a journey for Kress. She admits she was pretty quiet and didn’t share much of herself. That began to change when she was faced with a scary diagnosis in 2014 after the birth of her second daughter: thyroid cancer.

“That was an awakening for me,” she says. “It was like a second-life situation. I always had these aspirations, but I would keep them inside. I realized some things in my life needed to change. I had to start focusing on my overall health.”

Finding her way

Kress grew up in rural Iowa. She fed scraps to her uncle’s pigs, detasseled corn in high school, and even bred sows on a second date with her now husband, Ryan. While she felt connected to ag, she still wondered how she fit into the industry.

“I literally learned to walk in the dairy parlor while my parents were milking cows,” Kress says. “I always had a connection with agriculture growing up and living in a rural community, but I felt like I was removed from life on the farm after my parents divorced and I moved to town. For many years, I worked a corporate job. Even though I was living on the farm, I felt like an outsider.”

Kress was inspired to open up about her story after she heard a message by Mel Robbins called the 5 Second Rule, which basically means the moment you have an instinct to act on a goal, you count down 5-4-3-2-1 and physically move or your brain will stop you. One thing that will increase your feelings of control over your life is a bias toward action.

“It started to click that I needed to like come out of my shell and share what I was thinking and feeling,” she says. “After I started blogging in 2019, I realized I wasn’t the only one that had these thoughts and feelings as a farm wife or just a wife in rural Iowa. People were interested in hearing about farm life and motherhood.”

Kress also became a certified mentor in integrative nutrition to further help other women find a healthy lifestyle that fits who they were designed to be.

“I really enjoy sharing the message of creating a healthy lifestyle and what that could look like for different women,” she says. “I want women to feel like they aren’t alone and that they are understood for being who they are.”

Part of sharing also includes showing photos and stories of farm life, especially when a new set of baby pigs comes into the farm. The family has a partnership with two other families as a wean to finish operation.

“My favorite times are when we get new pigs in and when we ship the market hogs,” she says. “There’s just something about the beginning and ending of the cycle that are exciting to me.”

Kress also enjoys sharing her passion for cooking with pork and its health benefits. While she admits she doesn’t necessarily share specific pork recipes, she wants to inspire other households to cook with it.

“Pork is such a quality protein source,” she says. “It’s also economical to feed a family without going broke. I want to get that message out a lot more to mothers. Busy moms all have that same struggle; we must get food on the table. No matter if we’re also helping on the farm, working a nine to five, or shuffling kids around, making dinner plans is a common problem we all have to solve.”

By sharing her story, photos and videos of farm and rural life, and being an advocate for how pork can fit into a healthy lifestyle, Kress hopes she can inspire other women.

“For many years, I didn’t know where or how I could fit into our operation working a corporate job, and not doing the day-to-day farm jobs or handling the books,” she says. “The generations before us did life differently than we are raising our families now. I feel blessed to be in this era where we do have voices sharing their stories and trailblazing all the paths.”

Kress shares about raising pigs, and being a farm wife and mother through Instagram and her website at Dawnmarie.co . She started her podcast, Harvesting Her Way , three years ago as a way for her and other guests to empower, inspire and educate women about cultivating a healthy lifestyle.

“I enjoy providing a platform for females to shine and be heard by women in rural and ag communities,” she says.

We will be uniting together June 3-8 for PORK Week across all of our Farm Journal platforms to elevate the important role the pork industry plays in feeding the world. Share your stories and post photos on social media using #PORKWeek to help us honor the pork industry. From “AgDay TV” to “AgriTalk” to “U.S. Farm Report” to PorkBusiness.com and everything in between, tune in and join us as we acknowledge the most noble profession there is: feeding people.

Read More:

What’s On the Horizon for U.S. Pork? Business Leaders Speak Up

5 Ways to Grow Pork Markets in the U.S.

Pork Industry Profitability: How to Set Yourself Up for Success

From Honduras to the U.S.: Bardales Studies Opportunities to Improve Pig Livability

Tue, 21 May 2024 16:18:33 GMT

Meet Aryeri Stephanie Bardales Castellanos, our latest addition to Farm Journal’s PORK’s Up & Coming Leaders feature. We are showcasing some of the fresh, new voices of the pork industry who combine innovative thought and work ethic with scientific savvy and a passion to make a difference.

Age: 26
Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Zamorano, Honduras; Pursuing master’s degree, South Dakota State University.
Hometown: Rio Lindo, Cortés, Honduras

Q. How did you become interested in pursuing a career in the swine industry?
A. I’ve always enjoyed animals, but until I went to college and started using the learning-by-doing method, I was never able to spend time with them as a child. In Zamorano, I’ve worked in a variety of fields, including farm management and marketing, food processing, post-harvest handling, processing animal feeds, processing seeds and grains, and processing dairy and meat. This motivated me to continue studying more about animals and the different topics related to them.

Q. Describe (briefly) any internship experiences you’ve had.
A. My interest in swine nutrition began when I did my internships focused on animal nutrition and management. I did my first internship at the Iluma Alliance company, Premex CO, in Colombia in 2020, this was part of my undergrad program. It gave me a different perspective on production since I worked as a research assistant in the area of the development and innovation of concentrated feed for pigs and broiler chickens, accompanied by work on an experimental farm. In 2021, I was a production intern at Smithfield in the Princeton, Mo., division. I worked in a 20,000-head nursery barn, and got certified in pig farm management and raising pigs from weaning to finishing. After acquiring basic knowledge about management, I took some courses, attended conferences in my country, and joined research groups related to pig science and production. I wanted to continue expanding my knowledge and learn from experienced professionals in the field.

Q. Why did you pursue graduate school in the U.S.?
A. I wanted to challenge myself to get out of my comfort zone and focus my studies in this area, even though that meant overcoming the language barrier in another language. A new country meant constantly facing new challenges, discovering a new academic environment, and understanding different points of view. I learned it is essential to maintain motivation and enthusiasm throughout the entire program and be open to cultural diversity. All of this required a large dose of self-discipline, strength and perseverance.

Q. Describe any undergraduate research experiences you’ve had.
A. As a university student, I was fortunate to work with Dr. Hernán Gil Arenas in the Innovation and Development Department. He gave me the opportunity to develop premixes of concentrates and diets for animal nutrition and perform statistical analysis of physiological parameters, productive performance, increased weight, feed conversion ratio and digestibility.

Q. Describe any other swine-related experiences you’ve had.
A. The University of Zamorano has a solid program, and as part of that program, the swine production module taught me about swine breeding and production through learning by doing. The selection and management of breeding stock, the correct management of facilities and equipment, the care and feeding of pigs, disease prevention, and biosecurity in pig production operations are just some of the many topics covered in this linked module on pork production.

Q. Tell us about your current research.
A. As a National Pork Board Pork Scholar, I have had the opportunity to work on a commercial farm in Jones, Mich. My first thesis work focused on preweaning mortality. I have been working with the Jyga Technologies (Gestal) team and Dr. Hyatt Frobose, Sunswine group with Dr. Casey Bradley, Rolling Meadows sow farm, and South Dakota State University under my advisor Dr. Crystal Levesque. I looked at how daily feed deliveries to the sows during the first week after farrowing influenced sow reproductive performance with a focus on piglet mortality and suckling pig performance. Considering the first 5 days of life are the period of greatest risk of death for a suckling pig, we investigated whether feeding the sow 6 times/day and thus getting the sow on her feedt at least 6 times a day would increase the risk of preweaning mortality compared to feeding only 2 times per day. My second research trial was carried out on the same farm and evaluated the hemoglobin (Hb) status of sows and their piglets in a single lactation and how the postnatal iron supplementation strategy of piglets [one injection vs one injection and an oral iron 7 days prior to weaning or one additional injection just prior to weaning) would alter piglet Hb status at weaning. Data in previous research suggests that some of the poor growth of pigs in the early post-weaning period may be related to a deficient Hb status and that strategies to improve the Hb status before weaning can have benefits in the post-weaning period. My research continues to uncover valuable information that can help producers develop strategies to reduce prewean mortality and improve early weaned growth while improving profitability and enhancing animal welfare within a production system.

Editor’s Note: Bardales is part of the National Pork Board’s Pork Scholars Program, intended to develop highly trained professionals who are dedicated to a career in the U.S. swine industry. The program includes a research component with a cooperating university, a practical on-farm experience with an industry cooperator and cross-training across more than one academic discipline (i.e. genetics and data science).

Read More:

A Quest to Improve Profitability for U.S. Pig Farmers

How One Student is Using Image Analysis to Increase the Genetic Potential of Pigs

PORKtober Feature: Heidi Flory, The Princess and the Pig Farmer

Tue, 21 May 2024 14:42:55 GMT

From scrubs to a ballgown, this wife, mother and boots-on-the-ground co-owner of a swine nursery operation, Heidi Flory, is neither a stranger to the stage nor a stranger in the pig barn.

Flory has championed the name, agricultural ambassador, in a number of suits. From meeting with legislators to speaking at professional events for producers and young ag professionals to being a pork industry social media influencer, Flory shares her story and encourages others in the industry. She also spends time as a biomedical research professional working in cardiac surgery research, and animal welfare officer and advocate.

Her brand, The Princess and the Pig Farmer, grew popular during the pandemic, as a tool to voice her opinions and stance as a producer, as well as educate consumers on modern production practices.

The Princess

Named the 2021 Pennsylvania Elite Ms. United States Agriculture and 2021 PA Miss Agriculture Advocacy Ambassador, Flory has a national platform to share her story for modern agriculture and the pork industry.

The Pig Farmer

Along with her husband, Steve, the Florys strive to do their best in every aspect of their operation and maintain the health and welfare of their animals. She is also focused on making sure the public image of animal agriculture is positive and accurate.

“We want to be an example for other growers and encourage them to take the necessary time with their livestock in order to achieve better outcomes, including lower mortality, higher feed conversion, and greater average daily gain,” she says.

In addition to her daily activities being a wife, mother and pig farmer, she is available to serve as a speaker or panelist on a number of topics, including but not limited to:

• Changes in consumer trends through the pandemic

• Animal care and well-being

• Livestock operations

• Food labeling and safety

• Best management practices

• Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC) compliance

• USDA, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) and FDA regulations

• Pre-clinical trials management

• Animals in biomedical research

• Women in agriculture

• Careers in agriscience

Furthering her passion for educating and connecting producers with their consumers, Flory founded PA Farm to Family Table , which grew to 6,000-plus members in a Facebook group during the pandemic , and will be launching an eCommerce business that facilitates the connection between local producers and consumers in the near future.

Flory’s commitment and leadership in the industry has also led her to be selected to participate in the 2022 Pork Leadership Institute (PLI) program, conducted jointly by the National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board.

This princess and pig farmer strives every day to share her experience and be a transparent, public voice for the industry.

Be sure to check out more from Flory on her The Princess and the Pig Farmer website . Also, follow her Facebook and Instagram pages to stay up to date on the work she is doing across all platforms.

Thank you, Heidi Flory, for your positivity and dedication to the pork industry!

PORKtober Feature: Cara Haden, DVM, Pig Vet

Tue, 21 May 2024 14:40:06 GMT

If you think that your life is boring as a pig farmer and nothing that you do is interesting, Cara Haden, DVM, suggests you think again.

A Pipestone veterinarian out in the field and commonly known as “Pig Vet” on the social media channel of TikTok, Haden not only dedicates her time to pig farmers and their operations, but also serves an audience of millions of viewers who are eager to learn about pig farming and where their food comes from.

Growing up on a pig farm, Haden developed a deep respect for pig farmers as she experienced firsthand the dedication from her father caring for the pigs, the environment, the people who worked for him and the local community.

@cara.haden Come learn where your food comes from!! #food #farm #pigs #veterinarian ♬ original sound - Cara Haden Pig Vet

Meanwhile, in today’s society, Haden became frustrated as farmers are too often villainized in the food and meat production story—sparking Haden’s idea to share her understanding of pig farming on social media.

Beginning with Facebook and Instagram, Haden quickly realized she was not reaching her intended audience and was simply reaching people with farm backgrounds and those that already supported pig farming.

Then, her husband, a high school teacher, suggested TikTok, a large social platform of young viewers, as a way to reach a demographic removed from the farm and without knowledge of how their food is produced.

Only four videos into the TikTok venture and “Cara Haden Pig Vet” went viral.

@cara.haden Newborn piglet doing well!! #farm #pig #pipestonevet #wherefoodcomesfrom #obstetrics ♬ original sound - Cara Haden Pig Vet

With many videos reaching over 1 million views, it is clear TikTok viewers are hungry for Haden’s content.

“I don’t have a fancy camera. I don’t have any special equipment. Every video I post is something I’ve taken for myself. I don’t even use editing software, as I just edit within TikTok. So, you literally don’t need anything fancy or anything special,” Haden notes.

Many of Haden’s videos are filmed around everyday tasks and events and offer simple explanations of what happens on a pig farm. She says, some of the videos that seem to be the simplest end up going viral. Additionally, Haden has included more planned content, like talking about food labels and sow housing.

@cara.haden A different pen design I haven’t shared yet! #design #pen #environment #choice ♬ original sound - Cara Haden Pig Vet

From explaining a large pen electronic sow feeding system to sharing the interactions between pigs and their caregivers, Haden pulls the curtain on pig farming and shares a “behind the scenes” view.

@cara.haden #trust #calm #unafraid #force #caregiver ♬ original sound - Cara Haden Pig Vet

Wanting to reach viewers without an understanding of where their food comes from, her audience consists of around 80% U.S. viewers and 20% out of the country. Of the people who watch her videos, 70% are women and a majority of her followers are between ages 18 and 34.

“I would really encourage people to get on social media,” Haden adds. “We need more voices. While I have a following that’s pretty large, I, in no way, want to be the only pig farmer or person sharing the story.”

Pipestone and its independent farmer shareholders have also been very supportive of Haden. She says, “I have a lot of independent pig farmers say, ‘Thank you so much for sharing what we do. It’s not something that we are good at doing. We just really appreciate that Pipestone cares about our industry and wants to showcase what we are doing.’”

While Haden’s social following continues to grow, she says she has no intention of leaving the veterinary practice. She enjoys her work as a production and health veterinarian, as well as serving as the director of animal welfare for the Pipestone management company.

Haden says, “My goal is to educate people about where their food comes from and showcase what pig farmers do to care for their pigs. I’ll keep making videos, as I just want to keep sharing what my clients are doing.”

All of Haden’s videos can be found on @cara.haden on TikTok .

Thank you, Cara Haden, DVM, for your dedication to swine producers, as well as an audience eager to learn more about pig farming and how their food is raised!

Barn Hero Alma Valdez: 'Success is Never Just Your Success'

Wed, 15 May 2024 18:14:01 GMT

The breathtaking views of Guanajuato, Mexico, weren’t easy to leave behind, but Ma Merced Yebra knew her children deserved better than what she could provide them there. Although her husband went to the U.S. often to find work, he never saved enough to help his family back in Mexico. One day she decided to take a chance on a new life in the U.S., leaving behind her roots and venturing into the unknown with her four young children.

“We didn’t have a lot growing up,” says Alma Valdez, her youngest daughter. “We were very poor. We lived in a house made of cardboard and metal sheets. We struggled a lot. My mother’s decision to leave her home in Guanajuato to come to the U.S. changed my life completely.”

This journey led them to DeKalb, Ill. At the age of 8, Valdez turned all her focus to learning English — fast. Unfortunately, very few teachers knew Spanish at the time, so it made it difficult for her to learn.

“I guess that’s where I started learning to not give up, to always try to see the best in people and to learn from everyone,” she adds.

With time, she picked up English and found herself translating for her family. Her mom took a job at a pig farm. When Valdez turned 18, she started working at the farm with her mother as a part-time power washer a few days each week. Not long after that, she began translating educational materials from English into Spanish to help other employees. Valdez says that’s how she learned how to castrate, how to care for sows, how to heat check and more.

She kept saying yes to new opportunities. She worked her way up the ranks and found herself in a manager role, taking care of the barn and the crew. Valdez moved to Minnesota to gain even more experience. A couple years later, a local veterinarian approached her to apply for a job back in DeKalb at Johnson Farms.

Her inspiring journey moving up from power washing farrowing rooms to managing a sow farm makes Valdez a barn hero in the eyes of everyone who works with her, says Cole Johnson, co-owner of Johnson Farms.

“She has a unique ability to earn credibility with people,” he adds. “When it comes to leading a crew in the barn, she’s been where they are. She will never ask anyone to do something she has not already done or is willing to jump in and try alongside them.”

The Right People in the Right Spots

When Valdez went to work for Johnson Farms a few years ago, she admits it was a little overwhelming at first.

“There was a lot of work to be done,” Valdez explains. “But that’s also what made it exciting.”

She says learning how to use new technologies at the farm such as e-tagging and electronic sow feeding made her job even more interesting. She was also eager to help get the farm more organized and build a more cohesive team.

“I think the frustrating part was not being able to be in all the places that I wanted to be in the short amount of time that I had throughout the day. As soon as I’d fix something in one spot, another area needed my attention,” Valdez adds.

The never-ending to-do list is one of the many reasons Valdez initially worked for three weeks straight before taking a day off.

“People see she doesn’t take many days off, even though I urge her to do so,” Johnson says. “You can’t come in and just be a dictator, especially when you’re asking people to make a lot of changes. Alma’s understanding that you need to have credibility with people before you can lead them is unique.”

Valdez says this was an intentional decision because she believes leadership requires an understanding of the people you are leading.

“It starts by getting to know the crew, making sure you have the right person in the right spot,” she says. “It’s like they say, ‘put your aces in your places.’ That’s exactly what I do.

When you come into a new barn, you have to find out what everybody has to bring to the table and put them where they fit. Then, you can step back and let them succeed.”

Spending time working alongside her team allows her to know what team members need to improve upon, while also helping her learn what she can improve upon by watching them, too.

“They need to know that I’m not just there to boss them around; I’m there to work with them and guide them where needed,” Valdez says. “Earning their trust has been the biggest thing, especially in this industry. Women are not looked upon with high hopes to get stuff done as a man would in this role.”

Caring for pigs should never be just about earning a paycheck, she says. Her goal is to build a team that truly cares about what they do in the barn each day, and that starts with her.

“I am nothing without the crew. Everybody has something to offer the farm,” she says. “And when it’s not the right person, they will step away on their own because they will know that they’re not fitting in. When you have a great team, like the one I have right now, it’s never about any one person. It’s about all of us working together.”

The Proof is in the Sow Pen

After a month of her leadership, Johnson noticed a change in the sows.

“Our veterinarian and I were walking the barns and he pointed out how different the sows were behaving,” Johnson says. “They were so much calmer around people — almost indifferent to us as we walked around. That was not always the case before Alma joined us. I attribute that to them getting more individual attention and being around people more.”

Patience and a love for animals is a critical part of being a caregiver, Valdez says.

“You can’t just walk in here and not care for animals,” she says. “When you spend time with them every day, you get close to them. You see them differently. You realize they depend on you to survive. Caregivers need to be willing to go above and beyond to look after the animal, make sure they see each animal individually, and have the desire to ask for help when needed.”

It’s not just the sows who revere Valdez as a barn hero, it’s the people, too.

“When Alma steps into a room, something changes,” Johnson says. “She brings positive energy wherever she goes. I rarely used to hear laughter in the break room. Now, there’s always laughter when I walk in there. She understands the importance of a positive environment and how that seeps down into the care animals get.”

Valdez says starting at the bottom of the ladder power washing made her even hungrier to learn.

“I learned from the good and bad in people around me. I learned what I did and did not want to do. I’ve molded my way up to where I am today, and I feel very proud of that,” she adds.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that she’s a little competitive, too. She loves finding ways to get tasks done more efficiently and is never afraid to show off her skills in hopes others respond and rise to a higher level.

“No one wants to let the team down,” Johnson says. “Everyone wants to carry their weight. That stems from Alma’s example. She won’t slack off. She never hides behind a desk and does the unpleasant jobs along with her team.”

Understanding that a positive culture starts with her, Valdez chooses to lead by example. She knows that how she acts, how she treats animals, how she treats coworkers, how she responds to challenges, all rub off on her team.

Eusebio Balderrama is one of the team members at Johnson Farms. He appreciates how Valdez always considers everyone’s input when it comes to making decisions on the farm.

“She is not set on doing the same thing because that’s what’s always been done,” Balderrama says. “She always wants to improve the farm. I like to work with her because she is open-minded. Even if we don’t see eye to eye, we always find a way to work together to achieve a better result for the farm.”

Translating Success

Balderrama is one of six employees on Valdez’ team. Most of the employees only speak limited English, so Valdez’ bilingual skills are an asset to the team.

“Playing a translator helps build everyone’s confidence in your role as a leader,” Valdez points out. “Communication is critically important. I always want to make sure that the rest of the team members understand what the other ones are going through. There have been many times I have to sit and translate. We can’t let language be a barrier to doing our job right.”

She really appreciates how her team finds ways to communicate, even when language gets in the way. It’s never an excuse to not get stuff done, she says.

Patience is an important trait to have when leading a team, Valdez says. Being a caretaker is full of challenges that are often out of your control.

“Bad things happen, and it doesn’t help to blame anyone,” she says. “For example, my team watches how I respond to disease breaks. If you act like everything is over and you are overly emotional, they feed off that. I have learned to stay centered, find out what we can do different next time and keep communicating.”

But that’s easier said than done some days, she admits. That’s why she starts by taking care of herself and leaving her problems at home when she comes to work each day.

“Everybody has their issues,” Valdez says. “We try not to bring that stuff to work so we can focus better on our daily tasks. Getting our work done definitely helps us create momentum for the day and find something to be positive about.”

She’s also learned to create space during breaks and at lunch for non-work conversations.

“We all need time to unwind,” she says. “When we come to lunch, I make sure we have a positive experience so we can relieve a little stress. We don’t focus on work — we take a break from it. Just having a moment for each other helps the crew and myself.”

Her leadership style works, Johnson says. She empowers others to do their best and take responsibility.

“Alma knows when to be hands-on and when to take a step back and let the team take ownership of their specific area,” he says. “People appreciate that and feel trusted. It motivates them to take ownership of what they are doing.”

Passing It On

How does it feel to be called a barn hero? Valdez insists she’s just someone who loves what she does every day.

“It’s very rewarding to know that someone outside your barn sees the work you are putting in,” she says. “It’s nice to know that someone else cares about what you’re doing.”

Of all the praise she’s received, one person’s praise has meant the most to her, she admits.

“My son is 15. He didn’t like the idea of me working at a farm because ‘it’s smelly.’ But he started coming to help me on the weekends and noticed the care that I was giving and why I did things the way I did,” she explains.

After training him to do some tasks, her son started to like the job a little, and now he loves it.

“He told me he wants to be a manager like me,” she says. “He says, ‘I want to run a place. I want to be able to have that and know everything about the farm like you do.’ For me to be able to give that hope to my own son, to have that drive and determination to get somewhere, that’s all I could ever ask for,” Valdez says.

That’s her hope, not just for her son, but for everyone she trains and works alongside. She simply wants them to feel proud of what they do, she says.

“One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that your success is never just your success,” Valdez says. “It’s a team effort — I’m just trying to make sure we go in the same direction.”

Read More from the Barn Heroes Series:

Barn Hero Summer Doty: Prioritizing Pig Care

The Front Line Matters

Barn Hero Summer Doty: Prioritizing Pig Care

Thu, 09 May 2024 10:37:00 GMT

Summer Doty hasn’t saved anyone from a burning building or led an army into battle. She hasn’t jumped into the path of an oncoming train or dismantled a bomb. Still, the work she does day in and day out at Islercrest Farms is proof that not all heroes wear capes.

Experts offer different definitions of heroism, but most agree it involves putting others first without the expectation of reward. That’s why Nathan Isler, co-owner of Islercrest Farms in Prospect, Ohio, believes Doty defines what it means to be a barn hero.

“Our No. 1 goal on our farm is always to take the best care possible of our animals. A person who excels at doing this, who can identify and put an animal’s needs above all else, is a barn hero,” Isler says.

It wasn’t a hard decision to hire Doty after she completed her animal science degree at Wilmington College in 2021. After searching the job board at school, she applied for a farrowing manager position at Islercrest.

Growing up on a family farm near Mingo, Ohio, Doty has been around animals her entire life. She began raising her own showpigs in seventh grade. Although, they never had more than six sows on the farm at a time, she says that number suited her family just fine. It allowed them to raise their own pigs to show while gaining valuable experience managing a small herd.

“When you come across a kid with a farm background, you get excited,” Isler says. “We are biased that farm kids come in with a strong work ethic.”

^{Summer Doty’s passion for pigs is evident in how she approaches every task on the farm, says farm co-owner Nathan Isler.}

He says although Doty might not seem to be different than many people who got their start in 4-H and FFA and moved on to other careers, she continues to stand out.

“What makes her special is that she didn’t let go of that interest and passion,” Isler says. “She clung to it and turned it into a career that she is excelling at. It’s pretty unique to find something you truly care about and do it for a living.”

Some Things You Just Can’t Teach

When Isler met Doty, he says it was easy to see she loved animals. In fact, he often teases her that she doesn’t get paid to hold baby pigs and talk to the sows. But one can easily see it’s her connection with the animals that makes her so special on the farm.

“I don’t care if you have experience; I can teach you,” Isler says. “What I want to know first and foremost is that you love animals. I can teach anyone to care for hogs, that’s been my whole life, but truly caring about animals is something you can’t teach.”

Doty is quick to point out the learning curve was steep. She came in thinking she knew what to expect, but learned the sheer quantity of animals she’d be caring for each day was much different than what she had grown up experiencing on the family farm.

“I knew how hogs functioned and behaved on a very small scale, but when you move to a farrowing house with hundreds of sows to take care of all the time — that was quite different,” Doty says. “I knew the basic procedures, but I needed to learn how to manage the scale of everything — to keep it all straight in my head and create a plan and goal for the end of the day every single day.”

On her first day, she started in the gestation barn where Isler taught her how to check heat and breed sows.

“Technically, I had bred sows before, but how they did it was completely new to me. I had never checked heat on a large scale. I had never used a boar bot to bring the boar around in front of them. I also had never bred with intra-uterine rods,” she says.

^{Although Summer Doty spends the majority of her time in farrowing, she knows her way around all the jobs on the sow farm.}

She spent the rest of her first week trailing behind Isler, learning how their operation approaches the daily tasks of pork production.

“Learning how to pace myself every day and create a schedule was probably one of the hardest things to learn at first,” Doty adds.

As farrowing barn manager, her responsibilities include caring for the farrowing house, making sure the sows are settled in and farrowing correctly, and most importantly, attending to the day-zero and day-one litters. She also helps the gestation team as needed. In addition, daily maintenance, cleaning and observing animal health are key parts of her job every day.

The list of jobs is long, Doty admits. That might be what surprised her most about working on a pork operation.

“It’s amazing how many things I do in a day — to keep the barn running, to complete the day’s tasks and to set myself up for next day,” Doty explains. “Most people don’t realize how many things there are to do to make the barn run effectively.”

Leading By Example

Of all the work Doty does in the barn, farrowing is what she loves most.

“The pigs are the highlight of my day, every day,” she says. “If you are ever having a bad day, pick up a newborn pig and walk around with it for a while. They always make your day better, whether they know they’re doing it or not.”

As an animal lover himself, Isler says it’s easy to see how much Doty enjoys what she does in the barn. He says her passion for pigs is one of the qualities that separates her from other employees who have good work ethic but don’t have the drive and passion for animals like she does.

In addition to her passion for animals, Doty is a lead-by-example person, Isler says.

“She is one that will take charge and make things happen. Others around her see that, including myself. A lot of times that is one of the better ways to lead. It’s a ‘see what I’m doing and try to keep up’ mentality,” he explains.

On most days, the sow barn is run by Isler, Doty and Hector Zumaya. At times, other employees will come in to help for a day or part of a day when needed. Doty says she feels privileged to work alongside one of the owners.

“It’s nice to know the owner has been in your shoes and wants to know every facet of what’s going on at the farm. It’s such a comfort having an owner who does the job and knows how to do it nearby,” Doty says. “I know I can call him for anything. Also, I learn every day.”

Quiet Wisdom

There’s no denying working in a barn is stressful. Some days, things don’t go right. Animals get sick. Equipment breaks. Mistakes get made. Doty has learned it’s not good to carry stress from day to day.

No matter the industry, compassion fatigue is a real challenge among caretakers. Doty says animal care is much better when employees can take a break from the struggles of the barn.

“When I first started this job, we were going through a bad disease break,” she adds. “You do get fatigued feeling like you can’t do anything and also like you aren’t doing enough. It’s hard to balance that — going home at the end of day and feeling like you haven’t done enough.”

That’s why she has learned going home and forgetting about the barn is key. It allows her to start over the next day with a clean slate and a clean mind.
It’s this kind of quiet wisdom coming from 25-year-old Doty that continually impresses Isler. Although she might be a more reserved personality, she’s also not afraid to share her opinion when it’s needed.

“Summer likes to do her thing and go. She has no issues working or talking with other co-workers. She is extremely easy to get along with,” Isler says. “I’ve never had anyone say anything negative about her personality, which is rare when it comes to any work environment.”

^{Hector Zumaya says he likes working alongside Summer Doty because she sets a great example for others to follow. Photo by Nathan Isler.}

Zumaya says she is easy to work with in the barn.

“Summer is always very helpful to me when I need guidance,” he adds. “She always works hard and cares so much about the pigs.”

Doty also has great initiative. She knows what needs to be done and makes it happen. Because of this, Isler says he continues to hand her more and more responsibility on the farm.

“Just like any good employee, her role has evolved,” he says. “She has taken over a lot of the data entry. She also helps train new employees as well. We transitioned over to a new data system after she arrived. She may protest, but I think she secretly likes being in charge of our data. She likes having the records easy to access and she believes in why we do it.”

Doty says it’s important to know a sow’s history when she comes into the farrowing barn. Being able to provide sows extra care if they’ve had problems in the past, knowing past treatments or if they’ve chronically had a problem, are just a few of many things she looks at that are relevant to her performing her job to the best of her best ability.

“It would be hard to make informed decisions without the data,” she adds.

What’s Next?

People might not realize how rewarding working in a barn with animals can be, Doty says. She has enjoyed jobs in the past, but she never felt like they had payoff at the end of the day. At Islercrest Farms, she says it’s a constant reassurance that she’s done something that matters for the day.

“The work you put in, you see in a day or two. You see how it benefits litters days later, and then at 20 days when you send them to the nursery. It’s very gratifying seeing them grow up, and then to see what you’ve raised and sent out of the barn,” she says.

Isler hopes Doty never forgets how much she is appreciated. He also hopes people outside of commercial pork production who have an interest in pigs and livestock will consider this rewarding career path.

^{L to R: Nathan Isler, Summer Doty and David Isler. The opportunity to learn the business directly from an owner every day is one of Summer Doty’s favorite things about her job.}

“There are a lot of kids out there who like showing pigs like Summer did, but maybe they aren’t certain of what opportunities are out there. They may also have an incorrect view of production agriculture,” he says. “I hope Summer’s story opens people’s eyes to the very real impact you could make in agriculture in this career.”

While, Doty wouldn’t call herself a barn hero, those who work with her and see her in action know otherwise.

“I’m not sure if I’m terribly unique,” she adds, “other than it’s something I enjoy and want to do every day.”

However, if you want to give her a cape, she’s not afraid to wear it.

Read More:

Encourage the Next Generation to Chase Big Dreams

By Her Own Hand: A Farm Girl’s Miraculous Journey from Death to Hope

We Need Each Other in the Pork Industry

There’s Just Something About Stock Show Friends

Rural Revival: Why 3 Pig Farmers’ Wives Quit Teaching and Bought a Coffee Truck

Why Demand Matters

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 20:42:42 GMT

As a college student, I often think about my future. Should I work in the industry after graduation or return to the family farm? Should I further my formal education or seize an internship opportunity?

Beyond what my future might hold, I can’t help but consider the dynamic market landscape the pork industry is facing. How does one thrive amidst such volatility? At the end of the day, I realize learning goes beyond the confines of academia. Lifelong learning underscores the realization that every experience, whether favorable or adverse, offers invaluable insights.

My time as a sustainability intern with the National Pork Board in 2023 provided a rich learning experience. Delving into the understanding of Pork Checkoff funds and the projects they support, I gained insights into initiatives such as the demand project. How can we stimulate consumption? What strategies can incentivize consumers to enthusiastically embrace pork products?

After attending a panel hosted by the National Pork Board during the Minnesota Pork Congress, I am more excited than ever by the industry’s trajectory. Representing over 60,000 pork producers, the National Pork Board is allocating 51% of its budget toward demand-centric endeavors. This multifaceted approach spans into international, domestic and nutritional spaces.

Integral to this initiative are diverse campaigns and logos such as “Don’t Miss the Flavor,” the U.S. Pork logo and the latest addition, “Surprisingly Pork.” These endeavors strategically and competitively leverage producers’ checkoff contributions.

Multicultural engagement, spearheaded by Jose De Jesus, is also pivotal to elevate demand in those multicultural communities that exhibit a keen interest in pork. Leveraging this interest is critical for future growth, particularly within Hispanic, Asian and African American segments.

Capitalizing on pork’s appeal, particularly its taste and flavor, is central to the National Pork Board’s strategy. Dishes featuring ribs, chops and bacon, for example, consistently bring enthusiasm for their palatability. Tailoring messages and recipes to resonate with multicultural audiences is key, ensuring pork transcends any barriers.

Effective distribution of these initiatives means meeting consumers on their preferred platforms whether it be on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok. Content shared across these channels not only praises the virtues of pork’s taste and nutritional benefits but also fosters an emotional connection with consumers, reinforcing their confidence in our products.

Through these concerted efforts, the National Pork Board is trying to strengthen pork sales both domestically and internationally, underscoring the wise use of producers’ checkoff funds. It is imperative to recognize and appreciate these endeavors, which are designed to sustain and elevate the pork industry’s standing.

The demand for passionate, driven leaders in the swine and pork industry is evident. As individuals committed to continual improvement and collective advancement, we can take pride in our contributions to this dynamic sector. Rest assured, the future of our industry is secure and in capable hands.

Ella Thome is a junior at the University of Minnesota where she is studying agricultural communication and marketing.

Meet 87-Year-Old Joan Kerns, A True Trailblazer Who Helped Carve Out A Niche For Her Family Nearly 60 Years Ago

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 22:06:28 GMT

Cut by cut. Slice by slice. Every detail counts for Edgewood Locker , a northeast Iowa-based business that’s been spliced together for nearly 60 years in 1966.

With no master plan, it started when Tom, a farmer, and Joan, a nurse at the time, were forced to find a new place to live.

(Farm Journal)

“We were on his dad’s farm for five years when his dad announced he was going to sell the farm. He wanted us to buy it, but we could not afford to buy a huge farm back then,” Joan explains.

So, they found a farm to rent three miles outside of Edgewood, until an accidental fire on that farm sparked another change.

“Talk about an act of fate. We knew the lady who owned that farm was going to make us move, because she believed those stories that we started the fire,” Joan remembers. “Tom came home one day and said, ‘The locker in town is for sale.’ So, we bought it.”

It was that decision that changed the course for the Kerns family. Neither Joan nor Tom knew anything about running a meat locker, but they had the tenacity to make it work.

“Tom wanted to do the actual meat cutting and that sort of thing, and I was going to do all the books and the book work,” says Joan.

The business started out with minimal equipment: only a saw and a grinder at the locker. That didn’t stop the Kerns from seeing phenomenal growth.

“And every year we were in business, we grew. Every year we got bigger. And so, finally, we outgrew our plant,” she says.

The growth wasn’t always easy, and it didn’t come without financial hardships. Joan says the couple borrowed money to expand and grow six different times.

“But I remember, maybe the second or third time Tom said, ‘I’m going to go up to the bank tomorrow and borrow some money for the next addition,’ and I went up to do our daily banking that day. And the girl said, ‘Oh, we can give you the money.’ So, I borrowed the money, got back home and I told him. I said, ‘Well, I got the money borrowed for our new addition.’ Tom said, ‘They let a woman do that?’ That’s the way it was back then,” says Joan.

A Force of Nature

Joan’s son Terry will be the first to tell you how much his mom was a driving force behind the scenes, if she didn’t always get the credit she deserved.

“She’s kind of a force of nature, there’s no doubt about it, and probably even more so than anybody realizes,” says Terry, who’s one of two second-generation owners of Edgewood Locker.

What makes Joan’s role so essential to their growth is the fact Joan’s husband, Tom, was dyslexic. So behind the scenes, Joan handled the paperwork and books, all while raising four kids at home.

Bringing in the Second Generation Straight Out of High School

Joan is still a true trailblazer today, as the Kerns’ unconventional ways and business decisions also helped fuel the family operation.

“The boys had come into the locker business as they graduated from high school, which really let us dream bigger,” says Joan.

That was in the early 1980s. Tom and Joan didn’t just see their sons Terry and Jim as employees, they allowed the boys to buy into the business fresh out of high school.

(Farm Journal)

“It wasn’t popular with their peers that they allowed Jim and me to buy in at such a young age, you know. They gave us a huge opportunity,” remembers Terry.

“And I think that’s why we grew as we did, because they were partners. They were going to be in this, and it made a big difference,” Joan says.

The growth has been impressive over the past 60 years, including building a new facility in the late 1990s that has seen even more expansion since.

“We built this business because she paid attention to detail. And she wanted to make sure it was done right. She still keeps us on our toes,” says Terry.

At 87-years-old, Joan is sharp, and attention to detail may still be one of her greatest strengths.

“She is not afraid to tell us when she thinks we’ve done something wrong,” says Terry.

Bringing in the Third Generation

While Joan doesn’t overlook the small things, she’s also the first to celebrate how much the family business has grown. It now includes four grandkids who have become part-owners.

“Oh my gosh, I did not see that coming. And they each bring their own experience, knowledge, their forte to the business,” says Joan.

“All of us in the third generation, all I feel have a very unique skill set, which allows all of us to bring something different to the table,” says Baili Maurer, one of Joan’s grandchildren who bought in as a third-generation owner.

“None of us really overlap much. We all have our own thing that we do, and it just works,” adds Katie, who’s also one of four grandchildren who are partners.

(Farm Journal)

Katie and Bailli, along with Luke Kerns and Payson Kerns, are the third-generation owners of Edgewood Locker.

“They’ve got experience, they’ve got education in meat science in business. So, as fun as it was to grow with Mom and Dad adding Jim and me, this next generation really has the potential to do amazing things,” says Terry.

Third-Generation Growth

“We’re just doing what we can to take the business to a new level,” says Baili.

“We really expanded into wholesale stores and retail stores carrying our products. And we just keep going with what the second generation and first generation have been doing, as well,” adds Katie.

The growth is evident everywhere you turn. Construction in their retail and lobby area is a clear sign of even more progress.

“We had a major expansion of 19,000-square-feet that we’ve been in now a little over a year and a half, and I think it’s running well,” says Terry. “We remodeled our old processing facility and updated that, and it looks like brand new.”

The decision to expand and remodel their retail and lobby area was propelled by the busiest season for Edgewood Locker: deer season.

“I think last year, we did 3,700 whole-carcass deer, and then over 3,500 batches of boned-out deer that came in, so well over 7,000 different batches to jerky,” Terry says.

With that type of volume, Edgewood Locker has also been able to invest in bigger and better equipment.

“I’d like to say we had this great master plan, but we never had a real plan to say, ‘Well, next year, we’re going to get into wholesaling, or next year, we’re going to do this.’ We just kind of took it as it came. Something presented itself, we ran with it, and ran hard with a lot of it,” says Terry.

A Legacy Worth Sharing

With 130 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees, Edgewood Locker also offers other custom processing, and has products for sale, in more than 100 retail stores across Iowa. And it’s that side of the business the third generation has already helped expand.

“I hope we can just continue the legacy,” says Baili.

“I’m hopeful that we can just keep doing like we’re doing, keep growing where we can and keep expanding things and have it all set up for the fourth generation if they would like to join in someday,” Katie says.

Walls of awards are a product of what Joan and Tom started in 1966, but that isn’t what Joan is most proud of today. The greatest gift just may be the fourth generation and the chance to carry on a business that started on hopes and dreams.

Animal Science Student Finds New Passion Working at Swine Center

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 01:43:17 GMT

What started with an eagerness for a hands-on learning experience in the Department of Animal Science in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences ended with a new passion and opportunity for Carlie Rogers ’24, a first-generation college student from Diana, Texas.

In April 2021, Rogers began a student worker position at the department’s swine center unit and now her sights are set on a career as a sow farm manager.

Rogers is no stranger to the livestock industry. She grew up around livestock and companion animals and wanted to become a veterinarian. But after realizing the endless opportunities available in the animal science field, Rogers shifted her perspective on a career path.

This shift led her to the swine center, an animal unit located on the grounds of the O.D. Butler Jr. Animal Science Teaching, Research and Extension Complex, a 580-acre center near the main Texas A&M campus in College Station comprised of five unique facilities supporting various areas in animal agriculture.

Even though she had no prior experience working with swine, her agricultural background made her want to grow in a new area of animal agriculture. As a student worker, Rogers helped with the day-to-day operations of feeding and general care of swine, gaining a wealth of experience to support her in a future career in the swine industry.

“I was interested in this opportunity because I wanted to learn from hands-on experiences and make connections with animal science faculty and industry stakeholders,” Rogers said.

Immersive learning experience
One of the best opportunities for students to directly apply the knowledge and skills learned in their animal science courses is to work at a department animal unit, said Jeffrey Wiegert, Ph.D., instructional assistant professor and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service swine specialist, Bryan-College Station.

“Immersing in the day-to-day aspects of animal care exposes our student workers to thought-provoking challenges and realities of animal husbandry that are difficult to recreate in a classroom setting,” Wiegert said.

Beyond putting their knowledge to practice while working at an animal unit, students are introduced to potential career paths from both the production and research sides of the industry. Wiegert recruits student workers from the swine center for research projects before opening the opportunity to others because the student workers are already familiar with the farm and how the animals are managed.

“Our student workers gain a broader and deeper learning experience because they’re the ones at the farm with the animals really living it,” Wiegert said. “This is perhaps most valuable for the students who did not grow up around production agriculture or showing livestock, but who have a strong interest in science and an intense motivation to do something within the field.”

A typical work shift includes keeping the pens and overall facility clean, feeding the animals, monitoring health and recording any observations on a daily log, Rogers said. If treatments are needed, Rogers helps administer the treatment and records the information. Other tasks involve moving pigs as needed and assisting with heat checking, artificial insemination, ultrasound for pregnancy diagnosis and piglet processing.

“I had to go back to the basics and learn new terminology, as well as remember the techniques that were taught in the introduction classes,” Rogers said. “I also established a routine for my job responsibilities that helped ensure that every animal was well cared for.”

Rogers said Wiegert, other student workers and the swine center manager warmly welcomed her and graciously acclimated her into the role.

“I am thankful for all of the people I have met and everything I learned from them,” she said. “They truly made this job enjoyable. Never in a million years would I have imagined that I would have this experience and connection at a large university.”

Strong work ethic and passion
Wiegert said Rogers showed her intelligence, dependability, strong communication skills and a dedication to doing the right thing on the farm, which quickly earned his trust.

“Carlie’s best attribute is that she genuinely cares for the pigs,” he said. “She always went above and beyond to ensure the animals were healthy and comfortable because she cares.”

Rogers fed and checked the pigs before her 8 a.m. classes and returned later in the day between classes to complete other chores. During the summer, Rogers arrived at the farm at dawn to help breed sows before it became too hot. When the sows gave birth, she routinely checked the sows and piglets into the night hours and over the weekends.

Much of the work was routine and necessary, but Rogers found a sense of accomplishment and purpose she believes will resonate beyond her time at the center.

“I realized that, through my work at the swine center, I was making contributions that directly benefitted the pork industry,” she said.

Outlook for the future
Rogers graduated with a bachelor’s degree in animal science on Dec. 14, and has multiple opportunities to continue down a path in swine production.

Her experience working at the swine center shaped her future career aspirations and provided her with both technical knowledge and leadership skills that will benefit her in any role she decides to pursue. On the technical side, Rogers said she gained resources and knowledge to handle management responsibilities and feels confident that the lessons learned can be applied to other species.

In addition, Rogers said she learned about the importance of working as a team and how to care for people.

“It takes a team of good people to make a system work,” Rogers said. “As a leader, it is important to make sure everyone working with you is heard and cared for. We were one big work family that understood each other, and I will miss everyone.”

Wiegert said it won’t be the same at the swine center without Rogers, but he knows the next students to take advantage of this learning experience will also deeply care for the animals. The experience will open doors for them in more ways than one.

“Students, like Carlie, will learn about the dedication pig producers have for their animals and how we use science to improve pig health and welfare to increase the sustainability and profitability of pork production,” Wiegert said. “This knowledge will help our graduates apply science similarly to their chosen fields, in addition to becoming educated consumers who are lifelong advocates of animal agriculture.”

Green Shavings and High Heels: The High School ‘Lasts’ Aren’t Easy

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 14:58:20 GMT

When I opened the door, my jaw dropped. Clothes covered every square inch of her room, as if 20 suitcases had simultaneously exploded. Scattered amongst the clothes were piles of papers, race bibs and boots – a road map of the crazy journey she’s been on this fall. Despite what every mother in her right mind would be tempted to do in that moment, I paused when I saw her black heels in the middle of the mess.

Inside of those heels were the remnants of green shavings from the final stop they made at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville – a symbol of the last of several “lasts” for our high school senior this fall.

Our daughter has been looking forward to her senior year for some time. But not this mom. I know she has to grow up and move on to the next chapter in her life, but I’m quite content to spend my Saturday mornings cheering her on at the cross-country course, listening to her practice for her FFA contests late at night and watching her work with her livestock out in the pasture.

During the past three weeks, she competed in two contests at the National FFA Convention, hung up her spikes after her last state cross-country race, showed her ewe lamb at NAILE, competed in the National 4-H Quiz Bowl and helped lead her last county 4-H Achievement Celebration.

The pressure has been high around this house, but the lessons have been life changing. Here are a few that stand out.

1. Surround yourself with people who believe in you.

If you want to perform at a high level, make sure you are listening to the right people. Shut out the negative voices. Find people who believe in you and genuinely want to see you succeed. It’s harder than you would think and sometimes means moving out of your comfort zone to find the right voices.

2. It’s the work you do in private that sets you apart.

Discipline is key to success in sports, FFA contests and life. Juggling varied interests has helped our daughter learn the joy that comes from putting in the work that no one sees. Being away from your team the week of the state meet to be at National FFA Convention means you have to do the hard work on your own – sacrificing and prioritizing to get it all done.

3. Be nice to your brother.

It takes a team. This crazy fall has reminded all of our kids of the importance of teamwork. They’ve learned how to juggle responsibilities and share the workload to make things happen. Our daughter and son had the opportunity to compete on two teams together this fall. Having that connection sharpened their abilities because who wants to get beat by their sibling? But most importantly, it grew their friendship. She never has to question her brother is behind her.

4. It’s one thing to say it, it’s another to show up.

I am so grateful for her coaches and our family members who have pushed her to try new things, set insane goals and then checked in on her along the way. It’s one thing to be supportive in what you say, but it’s another to walk beside someone in the day-to-day to help them stay on course to make that vision a reality. Watching this happen in her life has reminded me to be that person for people in my life. Words matter, but our actions also carry great power.

5. Soak it all in – it goes by fast.

As the halfway mark of her senior year approaches, it’s not lost on me that no landscaping or house improvements took place this fall. I haven’t worked on her scrapbooks or printed photos. My internal expectations for myself as the mom of a senior are falling short, but I was there. I showed up, soaked it in, cheered, cried, celebrated, consoled and I was in it with her. I’ve never had a senior before, but I think those are the things I’d regret not doing.

By the way, she cleaned up her room eventually. But her shoes have permanent stains from the green shavings that make me oddly proud. They remind me of the journey she took to chase her dreams and the privilege of cheering her on along the way.

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