R is
tar S g n i Wyatt Geistweidt
Who has helped you the most in raising and showing hogs? Definitely my dad. He has taught me how to AI my own sows, he built me my hog barns, and trained me how to show in the ring. As well, my dad has taught me how to feed my hogs and explains how each feeding ration will change my hog. He has given me the chance to start my own company and do exactly what I want in life. What has being involved in production agriculture taught you? Life sometimes comes and goes beyond your capabilities to control it.
Wyatt Geistweidt has exactly the type of passion that we all want to see in youth, no matter what their interests are. Here’s a young man with a vision, and he has the drive to work hard to accomplish his goals. Wyatt epitomizes the kind of person that someone can become through 4-H and FFA, and he specifically exhibits what showing and raising pigs can do for young people.
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What is your favorite show? It’s a toss up between San Angelo and the Houston Livestock Show. San Angelo is a wonderful town and I have had many successful and memorable experiences there. Houston is interesting though, because it gives so many people a chance to see and get a feel for agriculture, when they wouldn’t have been exposed to it otherwise.
What has been your most memorable experience? I will never forget when the judge pointed at me at the 2012 CTBR Gilt Show, naming us Reserve Supreme Champion Gilt. We walked and walked, and I showed and showed until he looked right at us, and we won!! Although I’ve loved so many of my pigs How long have you and and each have had their special challenges, that gilt has been my your family been raising favorite. She was so wild and hard to tame, and then we came so far together. hogs? What breeds? I really like crossbreds and Durocs. I personally have What aspects of showing do you enjoy been raising hogs for 4 most? years, but the Geistweidt I get to meet so many good people that family has deep ties to become friends. It’s really fun to watch the pig industry. My dad the pigs you have raised or worked with showed hogs throughout for so many hours perform. Then you his school years and make it to the Champion Drive and the spent day in and day adrenaline rush begins. out at the “hog farm.” My grandfather, Wayne What accomplishment in the livestock Geistweidt, and his business partner, James Rode, started a hog arena are you most proud of? farm in 1974, specializing in Durocs. The love of the industry is I am so proud of AI-ing my own sows, birthing and raising my own pigs, and definitely in my genes. now being successful. In 2014, my goal became clear to me and I reached a point where I could see mine and my family’s hard What do you enjoy most about raising hogs? I get to watch my product go the full cycle from AI to birth to the show work paying off. We won 4 CTBR Breeder caps and 4 CTBR ring. You get to watch your successes and learn from your mistakes. Class Winner caps, all with hogs we raised. This started my desire to have my own company someday raising pigs. There isn’t anything that I dislike about raising or showing hogs.
yatt Geistweidt lives in Fredericksburg, Texas with his parents, Shaun & Mandy Geistweidt and his little sister, Faith. He is a 12 year old who works at their family business, Gillespie Livestock Company, a livestock auction barn, they also manage a cow-calf herd as well as stocker cattle; he has also been showing both lambs and hogs since he was six years old. According to Wyatt, this has given him a broader understanding of production agriculture, the marketing of livestock, and the stages of feeding and processing involved. With all that said though, Wyatt has his own personal dreams for a career path: owning a large sow operation and expanding him and his sister’s herd, WF Genetics.
Tell us about your extra-curricular activities and academic achievements. I play football, and I am active in the Holy Ghost Lutheran Church Youth Group, Fredericksburg FFA and Gillespie County 4-H. I work hard at my studies to make the A or A/B Honor Roll. In elementary school, I received the “Greater San Antonio Area Tim Duncan Character Award,” which is given to a student who has learned and demonstrates core character traits at school. This year in sixth grade, I received the “Sharpen the Saw Award” (derived from the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens). What’s the best advice you’ve been given? Hard work pays off! You have to earn it in the practice pen and barn before you can win it in the arena. That, and never give up. There will always be times when you feel like quitting but never give up.
#WINNING
What has been the biggest challenge for you? One of my favorite sows had problems farrowing last summer and we had to decide if we should trade one life to save the life of others. My dad looked right at me and gave me the hardest decision I have had to make. He said, “Wyatt, the decision is yours.” I decided to save 5 pigs from the litter. There was a little barrow in the five that I had to revive before he would breathe, and he barely made it. This little guy, who we named “Wyatt” because I had saved him, went on to win a York class at the Hill Country District Show in Kerrville. Fun day of Fishing What are your future plans? I plan to continue showing hogs until graduation and then attend Texas Tech University. I dream of owning a large sow operation someday, and I am so excited because I am getting to start that dream this summer. My sister, Faith, and I are so excited to have our own company and hopefully one day we’ll be a large operation.
Welding on the new Farrowing Crates
Wyatt’s mother Mandy says, “It is important for each child to find their own niche in life. Shaun and I feel Wyatt has found his; it is easy to see how his enjoyment in his work fuels his drive.” We couldn’t agree more! Thank you, Wyatt! Good luck as you move forward!
Show Ring Prep
Receiving Champion Trophy from Jason Lindner Hunting adventures with dad!
Showing for the WIN 27