Young Farmers
It’s not easy to be an award-winning FFA advisor, but Riley Hintzsche of Streator Township High School in Illinois, makes it look that way. Here’s one of his secrets and how that’s making an impact on the pork industry.
Zack Peppmeier is using image processing algorithms to help evaluate and select market and breeding swine. This could aid in genetic selection, saving the producer on labor and increasing a herd’s genetic potential.
Years ago, our 4-H club started a tradition of honoring its senior members during 4-H Week with a display sign in their hometown. I knew my daughter Olivia’s sign was coming.
Naomi Gretter, Kari Berg and Sky Hahn share a lot in common: teaching, motherhood and pig farming. Here’s why they quit their jobs and opened up a coffee truck in a quest to stop the “crazy life” and “grow slow.”
In a world where more and more young people are glued to electronic devices and missing out on community, FFA offers connection, hands-on learning and adult mentors to invest in their lives.
Although there’s nothing like getting the grand champion slap in front of a huge crowd in the coliseum, youth livestock exhibitors point out that a lot of hard work and tough lessons were learned behind the scenes first.
From lactose alternatives to the effects of varying feed intake levels during early gestation when sows are housed in a free-access housing setting, Rafe Royall is on a mission to improve profitability for pig farmers.
One may argue teenagers have a lot of learning left to do, but I could argue they are wiser than they get credit for. After all, they are in a period of life where they hear a lot of advice from well-meaning people.
Caitlyn Wileman, an Iowa State University Ph.D. student, is studying the changes in the microbiome of the pig and its manure when fed different levels of soybean meal. Here’s why she’s an up-and-coming leader to know.
“Is this a buffalo?” asked a young 20-ish fairgoer as he stood before the Grand Champion Market Steer in the Hall of Champions at the Illinois State Fair. He looked at me – dead serious – awaiting my response.
From consumer preferences to labor, the challenges are stacked for the next generation of swine enthusiasts entering the pork industry. Despite the obstacles, five Ph.D. students share their optimism and viewpoints.
Dalton Obermier works to develop novel phenotypes available for genetic selection in hopes of speeding up genetic progress towards feed efficiency and conversion by utilizing the NUtrack livestock monitoring system.
Missouri youth had the opportunity to show off their swine knowledge and evaluation skills on Aug. 10-11 during the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, Mo.
We try to be good parents by setting boundaries for our kids. We want to raise decent humans who are kind, make good choices and respect others. But let’s be real. During fair week, that all goes out the window.
Just in time for school to start, in the midst of the Illinois State Fair, students across the state will no longer be penalized for participating in a 4-H or FFA event.
If we are being honest, showing livestock is for crazy people. Late nights, early mornings and little time for social lives. But I think most stock show families would agree they live for summer to do just that.
A wheelchair didn’t stop Joel from showing a pig at the state fair. He was one of many kids with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who made a debut in the show ring during the “Breaking Boundaries” Pig Show.
A heat wave that’s smashed records in the Southwest is spreading into the Midwest and Northeast this week. Unfortunately, it’s the peak of county fair season for many and the daunting forecast has exhibitors concerned.
“I want you to know the importance of the people you allow into your life,” Ray Perryman said. “The company you keep has absolutely everything to do with where you end up. Be careful who you allow into your life.”
2023 FFAR Vet Fellow Lauren Nicole Cromwell of the University of Wisconsin-Madison will be studying swine pain management.
The U.S. pork industry has a plan to help keep foreign animal diseases like African swine fever (ASF) out of the country, but it requires everyone in the pork industry to do their part.
Bridging the gap between the youth show ring experience and production ag is crucial for creating a pipeline of skilled and knowledgeable individuals who can contribute to the ag industry, says Rebecca Keel Stack.
An adequate labor force will be the biggest challenge facing ag for the foreseeable future. We need to instill the things into youth we have learned from previous generations, but we can’t be the “grumpy old man.”
Summer Hardin burst into tears when lot number 22 brought in a shocking $111,000 at the Parker County Stock Show Sale of Champions. Although one could say the Champion Berkshire was a great one, it wasn’t about the pig.
Why did those three young people choose the swine industry? I think it starts with people they met, network they developed and opportunity they had to tie a career to an industry they benefited from as a kid.
A pig showman, golfer and FFA officer, Paizlee Hardin was a happy high school sophomore. But on March 15, her life as she knew it changed when she began experiencing “crazy symptoms” and lost her ability to walk.
It’s one thing to tell students about livestock production; it’s another thing to show them. Here’s why one Iowa school is turning heads and opening people’s eyes to the opportunities in livestock production.
When you’re a storyteller, you often get to hang behind the scenes to tell someone else’s story. It’s a safe place because it’s not about you — it’s about them. It’s less risky and more predictable.
As exhibitors prepare for show season, it’s important to develop a plan for how to handle livestock emergencies. Having a plan in place prior to the show ensures quick action and timely care should an emergency happen.
Show season is a busy time for many youth exhibitors and their families. In preparation, exhibitors need to know the importance of a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, more commonly known as a health certificate.