THE FIRM BEHIND THE FOUNDATION FEMALE

The excitement began at a young age. Growing up around his family raising show pigs and running a feed mill, Luke Lindner has been rooted within the industry for numerous years. After discovering his passion for show pigs early on, he has since opened the door to countless opportunities for success.

In 2015, Luke began Lindner Show Pigs in Comfort, Texas, immediately following high school. Originally starting with 30 sows, his operation has now grown into a 150 sow operation mostly consisting of crossbreds, berkshires, and other minor breeds. Luke said his operation farrows yearround with a focus on Texas majors.

For as long as Luke can remember, he has had a passion for breeding and genetics. By keeping a clear mindset and focusing on his preferences, Lindner Show Pigs has had much success at many levels over the last seven years.

Luke said his father, Jason, has been his greatest role model not only in shaping him into who he is today but for crafting his mindset within the livestock industry. Jason began Lindner Show Feeds in 2001. From feeding to raising livestock, Jason has given Luke much advice on how to pursue his dream of running his own operation.

“The best advice I have ever been given is from my dad,” Luke said. ”Dad always said believe in your genetics and don’t be afraid to use your own boars.”

This advice has proven to be more than true for Lindner’s operation. In just seven years, Lindner Show Pigs has generated crossbred and berkshire-crossbred genetics that has had tremendous success across the nation. Whataberk, a boar no stranger to the show pig industry, has had a significant impact on this herd.

“I bred a berkshire sow to Wedding Night to test it out,” Luke said. “I ended up with Whataberk and his brother that was Berkshire marked. I kept Whataberk intact; however, his brother ended up Champion Berkshire barrow at San Angelo. In his first crop, Whataberk sired champions at every Texas major, OYE, and LSU. I now have way more berkshire classing sows than I ever thought I would have.”

On the other hand, the cornerstone sow for Lindner Show Pigs would be a purebred yorkshire sow, Kirby. She alone has raised the fourth overall crossbred gilt at World Pork Expo, the Reserve Grand Champion barrow at Fort Worth, the Champion Yorkshire barrow at the Hill Country District Show, multiple class winners, and numerous keeper gilts.

She is also the grandmother to ‘Disco’, the $60,000 gilt sold at the San Antonio gilt sale in 2020, the Grand Champion barrow at Rodeo Austin in 2019, and the Reserve Champion Other Crossbred barrow at San Antonio in 2022. Luke said she is still in production today and they continue to see banners out of her line each year.

Before these accomplishments, a significant part of Lindner Show Pigs started when two teenagers fell in love. Luke began dating his wife, Fallon, at ages 14 and 16. A few years later, he then began to take raising pigs seriously and started to help her and her sister, Lauren, with their show pigs. From there on, the trio’s dedication set the foundation for Lindner Show Pigs for years to come.

“We were a bunch of young kids with a passion,” Luke said. “Helping Fallon and Lauren was some of the best times of my life. My proudest moment and something I will never forget was raising and watching Lauren win Grand Overall at Rodeo Austin for her last show her senior year.”

Since then, the memories just keep getting better. Luke and Fallon got married in November 2021 and built their home on the farm. The pair continues to focus on making their firm the best that it can be. Luke said Fallon is what keeps him going and is his greatest encourager.

“My wife has been my greatest help around the farm,“ Luke said. “She is the best pig puller I have ever seen and can spot a health issue without batting an eye. I often joke that I probably wouldn’t have a live pig without her.”

In addition, the Lindner Show Pigs family has grown tremendously. The Lindners help multiple families across the state at Texas majors. Luke said the most rewarding part of this industry would be helping these families that have invested in his operation and watching them succeed.

“I have seen firsthand that showing livestock can completely change a kid’s work ethic and attitude,” Luke said. “This industry and showing livestock teach youth responsibility, consistency, and how to be humble winners and gracious losers.”

Luke attributes the success of Lindner Show Pigs to his customers and their belief in his program. With many goals in mind for the next several years, Lindner’s focus will continue to be guiding youth and their families to success.

“The ultimate goal of our operation is to continue helping these families be successful at all levels of competition for years to come,” Luke said. “We consider them our family. I, nor my operation, would not be what we are today without them.”

LindnerShowPigswillbedonatingthe FoundationFemalethisyearatTexas’Elite Showcase.Thisfemalewillsellaslot3in theGiltsofDistinctionsalebeginningat4 pmonSunday,February12.

AllproceedswillbenefittheCTBR scholarship program.

On behalf of the Texas Pork Producers Association,we would like to thank LindnerShowPigsfortheirsignificant contribution to the youth of Texas.