Texas Pork Producers Connection

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Stephenville

Your CONTRIBUTION can keep our LEGACY ALIVE! Honoring Our History

The Texas pork industry has a rich history filled with hardworking, passionate individuals whose dedication to the swine industry is still present today. For 27 years, these individuals’ commitment to the Texas swine industry has been recognized in the Texas Pork Hall of Honor, located in the Kleberg Animal Science building at Texas A&M University, in College Station.

Within recent years, Texas A&M University dedicated the atrium of the Animal Science building to Dr. Hesby, for his dedication to the thousands of students he instructed in his lifetime. Hanging in the most visible part of the atrium, there are currently 26 inductees in the Hall of Honor, all of which have helped guide and improve the Texas pork industry. Additionally the atrium has been remodeled, providing relaxing study areas for students. All areas of the atrium have been renovated, except the Hall of Honor. Over the years, several plaques have fallen a part and become damaged. To continue this time honored tradition of showing appreciation to our association’s past and present leaders, the Texas Pork Hall of Honor needs your assistance to maintain its location and prominence.

TPPA requests your help to raise the necessary funds in order to restore this prestigious part of our history. Your contribution will be greatly appreciated, and recognized on a plaque at the location of the Texas Pork Hall of Honor, as well as multiple TPPA media outlets. Use the form below, or go to the TPPA website, at texaspork.org and join me in the effort to save a great part of our history.

We sincerely thank those that have contributed, but we still need help!

Hall of Honor Plaque Restoration Donation Form Name: Company: Address: City: Bronze $100+

Zip:

State: Silver $250+

Gold $500+

Platinum $750+

A few words from your Executive...

ds,

TPPA Members & Frien

for ason, and boy it was onessed se ow sh ck sto g rin sp 15 closed the book on the 20the next level, not only by the great hogs that cro Well we have officially to d se rai s bar wa association, we can take an the d jor an ma try us ery ev ind an At s!

As ok rs. the bo the awesome exhibito ders carry themselves and offer a helping hand to by so re mo en ev t bu g, d lea of my the rin shows is a favorite part e producers, members an pride in the way our futur Working with the youth and being a part of the in this environment and that I their fellow competitors. inds me of how blessed I am to have grown up job because it always rem everyday. t still get to experience it my belief is confirmed thad , try us ind g ho the r fo an ssion ds into all aspects of life the ople who have such a pa e As I watch the young pe help them in all their endeavors. Agriculture exten hil W s. fer of e n agricultur it is our responsibility to m to all of the possibilities that working withi ch and educate our youth on the rea se to it is our duty to expo is a great start, we are looking at new ways Pork Leadership Camp n process. r the entire pork productio we can all get back to ou t, lis do tor ou f of on as nts se me successful and fun show the million other engage Now that we can mark ang our farm operations, 9-to-5 jobs, school and still experiencing here at the “normal” lives of juggli testify to the craziness we have been and are ngs, magazine preparation and each of us have. I can ows, the legislature, pork forum, countless meeti zy. office. Between stock sh ents, I tend to feel like we’re running around cra ough planning our summer ev think in order to get thrwork I al. tur na ely let mp co is r best and things tend to overwhelmed, and that At times everyone feels es we have to remember that we can only do ouste time worrying about petty our crazy and chaotic liv to. Life is too short and too amazing to wa next point, thanking everyone out like they’re supposedlittle or no control over. This brings me to my an association, we would not things that we often havecouple of months. Without working together as mbers who participate in the u we for their help these past that we do. I also want to thank all the TPPA me because without all of yo , all ers h ch lis tea mp co Ag d ac an to ts le en ab be , their mentors, county ag CTBR program, our youthsociation. wouldn’t even have an as of the rtunate I am to have one hts, fo w ho e liz rea I t, ec refl ys, the long nig As I step back and cause through the long da s association. I’m Be s. es sin bu the in s job thi of best l privileged to be a part and the long drives, I fee rtunities to work with our producers, members thing humbled to have the oppo ch of you, I too learn some ea t sis as to is job my our h and youth. Althoug our efforts we increase let’s ine mb co we en wh er, our future. So everyday. Rememb and the possibilities for ies nit rtu po op , ity tiv uc prod TPPA’s future brighter! band together and make Best Regards, Brandon Gunn

Voice for the Te Representing a Unified P.O. Box 10168

♦

Austin, TX 78766

♦

xas Pork Industry Since

512.453.0615

♦

1889

512.451.5536 Fax

April / May 2015

UPCOMING EVENTS

In this Issue:

APRIL

• CTBR Results • Spring Buyers Guide of Texas Show Pigs • Youth & Producer Spotlights • Pork Production Industry - The Story Everyone Should Know • Industry News

10th - 12th ~ NJSA National Youth Leadership Conference, Fort

Collins, Colo.

15th ~ CTBR Foundation Gilt Scholarship & Production Grant

Applications Due 22nd ~ NSR Weanling Pig Extravaganza, Richmond, Ind.

MAY TPPA Mission Statement “The mission of the Texas Pork Producers Association is to help our members produce and market pork for a profit.”

Producer Connection is the official publication of the Texas Pork Producers Association and is published by the Texas Pork Producers Association. All inquiries should be directed to the TPPA office.

Advertising Information To place an ad or for advertising rates and guidelines, please contact Texas Pork Producers Association at (512) 453-0615 or communications@texaspork.org

1st ~ Texas Heritage Pig Production Award Application Due 1st ~ Jim McManigal / Chuck Real Outstanding Swine Volunteer

Award Application Due

JUNE 1st - 6th ~ World Pork Expo, Des Moines, IA 8th - 11th ~ Texas 4-H Round-up, College Station, TX 21st - 26th ~ Texas Pork Leadership Camp

Texas Pork Producers Association P.O. Box 10168 Austin, Texas 78766 512-453-0615 - Local Phone 512-451-5536 - Fax tppa@texaspork.org www.texaspork.org Texas Pork Producers Association 8500 Shoal Creek Blvd.

Bldg. 4, Suite 120 Austin, Texas 78757

23rd - 26th ~ National Junior Show, Springfield, IL 29th - July 4th ~ NSR Summer Type Conference, Louisville, KY

Follow TPPA: facebook & twitter

Programs are made available to pork producers without regard to race, color, sex, religion or national origin. TPPA is an equal opportunity employer.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS STAFF

President - Kyle Stephens, Amarillo

Lorenzo Devora, Pipe Creek Rory Duelm, New Braunfels Mike Gruber, Dalhart Kurt Kelso, Seguin David Kempen, San Angelo Melton Harms, Springtown Barret Klein, Boerne Cody McCleery, Weatherford Robert Peffley, Miami Chuck Real, Marion Ewrin Schwartz, Jr., San Angelo

President Elect - Jimmy Hayes, Port Lavaca Vice President - Corby Barrett, Perryton Immediate Past President - Kenneth Kensing, Fredericksburg Executive Member - Stanley Young, Lubbock Executive Member - Denny Belew, Tahoka Executive Member - Jay Winter, Lubbock

Executive Vice President Brandon R. Gunn bgunn@texaspork.org Director of Communications Cassidy Smith csmith@texaspork.org

Join us for the 2015 Texas Pork Industry Conference & Youth symposium!

Texas Pork Industry Conference

Y. O. Ra nc h

July 2015

10-11

Creati n g

Ho C o nfteerlen& Ce nter ce

A

Vision fo r th e

Futu re

* Friday Family Cookout

* Key industry speakers

* Youth Symposium

* PQA Plus training

* Trade show exhibits

* Door Prizes

* Fun Auction

* Awards banquet

More information to come! www.texaspork.org

Market News Wiechman Pig Company

March 24, 2015 (Daily Buying Station)

Spring into a

New Career Production Agriculture Needs You! This honorable Career needs bright minds like yours so that we can continue to lead the world in food production.

Texas Farm, LLC, a growing Pork Production Company, is expanding its Animal Production and Production Leadership Team.

Join us!

Bring your Bright Mind and start Helping Feed the World!

Contact us at 4200 South Main Perryton, Texas or contact Isabel (806) 435-5935 ext. 3100; idominguez@texasfarmpork.com or Shannon (806) 202-6457; sseay@texasfarmpork.com to start pursuing your future today.

Top Butchers (200-300 lbs.) - $35.66/cwt.

Sows (< 450 lbs.) - $0.25/lb.

Sows (450 - 500 lbs.) - $0.28/lb.

Sows (500 - 550 lbs.) - $0.31/lb.

Sows (550 - 600 lbs.) - $0.32/lb.

Sows (600+ lbs.) - $0.33/lb.

Big Boars - 9.00 /cwt.

Gainesville Livestock Auction March 17, 2015

#1 Butchers (230-270 lbs.) - $0.50 - $0.70/lb. #2 Butchers (220-280 lbs.) - $0.47 - $0.60/lb.

Sows (<400 lbs.) - $0.25 - $0.40/lb.

Sows (400-500 lbs.) - $0.25 - $0.35/lb.

Sows (500-700 lbs.) - $0.25 - $0.30/lb.

Feeder Pigs (25-90 lbs.) - $0.45 - $1.10/lb.

Feeder Pigs (100-175 lbs.) - $0.85 - $1.25/lb.

Boars (<200 lbs.) - $0.45 - $0.60/lb.

Boars (200-300 lbs.) - $0.25 - $0.45/lb.

Boars (300+ lbs.) - $0.15 - $0.30/lb.

Brenham Livestock Auction March 27, 2015

Butchers 1-2 Grade (230-260 lbs.) - $0.31 - $0.37/lb.

Butchers 2-3 Grade (225-275 lbs.) - $0.28 - $0.32/lb.

Butchers 3-4 Grade (225-275 lbs.) - $0.25 - $0.30/lb.

Packer Sows 1-2 Grade (550-700 lbs.) - $0.25 - $0.28/lb.

Packer Sows 2-3 Grade (350-500 lbs.) - $0.22 - $0.25/lb.

Packer Sows 3-4 Grade (250-500 lbs.) - $0.20 - $0.22/lb.

Lightweight Boars - $0.25 - $0.30/lb.

Feeder Pigs 1-2 Grade (40-80 lbs.) - $0.90 - $1.10/lb.

Feeder Pigs 2-3 Grade (40-80 lbs.) - $0.70 - $0.80/lb.

Seguin Cattle Company March 25, 2015

#1 Butchers - $0.34 - $0.45/lb. #2 Butchers - $0.36 - $0.38/lb.

Sows - $0.30 - $0.45/lb.

Feeder Pigs - $1.00 - $1.20/lb.

Feeder Shoats - $0.50 - $1.00/lb.

CHECK YOUR E-MAIL FOR WEEKLY MARKET REPORTS

2015 Class Schedule May 19-21

Texas A&M University,

October 19-21

Iowa State University, Ames, IA

What is Pork 101?

Program Topics • Lean Value Pricing • Quality Management at Slaughter • Slaughter Floor HACCP • Measuring Carcass Quality and

Daily Schedule

Day 1: 10:00 am–6:00 pm Day 2: 7:30 am–8:00 pm Day 3: 7:30 am–noon PORK 101 is a unique hands-on laboratory designed for industry professionals who want to learn the latest in pork quality and safety.

carcasses, developing processed and value-added products, food safety issues and HACCP.

Unique Feature Through PORK 101, you will have the chance to evaluate eight live hogs.

• Consistency Improvement

Hands-On Experience • Bacon and Ham Curing

about grading, food safety and product processing. Finally, the class will make and sample processed product from the hogs including pumped loins, bacon, hams and sausage.

Past attendees of the AMSA PORK 101 Course can attest to the importance of attending.

The course gave excellent exposure to raw material market info.

Hands-on experience my team would not have received any other way.

PORK 101 is co-sponsored by the American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP), ,American Society of Animal Science (ASAS), North American Meat Institute Foundation (NAMIF) and the Southwest Meat Association (SMA).

Who will benefit from attending Pork 101? course, including: • pork producers • veterinarians • researchers • educators • pork packers • meat processors • retail merchandisers • food service • exporters • allied industry • media • breeding companies • investors

Registration Registration for AMSA, AAMP, ASAS, NAMI and SMA members is $800.

Non-member registration is $950. AMSA student registration is $300. For AAMP, ASAS, NAMI and SMA members please complete the registration form and fax the completed form to 1-888-205-5834 to receive the member discount.

Hotel information The cost of the hotel is not

Cancellations

For more information

Jen Persons, American Meat Science Association 800-517-2672 or point your browser to www.meatscience.org.

A special thank you goes out to Elanco Animal Health, a company

Here’s what others have said about PORK 101: people working in the pork industry. tool where I grew more familiar with each of the cuts of pork.

Space is li mited, register e arly!

Images courtesy of

Hope Coffey Joins Team Purebred Hope Coffey is joining Team Purebred as the new Director of Junior Activities and Director of Development. Hope has been involved in the swine industry her entire life with her dad having partnership in a Hampshire operation when she was born; spending many days as a toddler in a farrowing house.

Throughout her childhood her family raised anywhere from 3 show pigs to 1,000 sows and currently her dad has about 25 purebred and crossbred sows, raising 4-H and FFA projects for youth.

Coffey lives in Elizabethtown, Kentucky with her two children Ryder (5) and Reagan (4), who have started showing. Hope and the family enjoy attending livestock shows together as well as playing at the park. She is a 2008 graduate of Western Kentucky University with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics.

Hope’s new positions with Team Purebred are quite different yet mesh together quite well. She will be working with the Junior Board of Directors in the development and planning of Team Purebred events. At the events she will oversee the execution of the plan and interact with members and parents. “I have an amazing support system through the Adult Advisory Board, Certified Pedigreed Swine (CPS) and the American Berkshire Association (ABA) staff members.” Hope tells us. “Behind the scenes, as the Director of Development, I will work with sponsors as well as recruit new supporters, to ensure that we can continue to grow and reward our membership. Both are very exciting positions.”

What drove you to want to apply for the positions at Team Purebred?

I remember the atmosphere of my first Team Purebred event…it was all about family fun! It was easy to want to be involved. I was a member of the Team Purebred Junior Board of Directors from 2003-2005, serving as President the second year. I made life-long friends that are truly passionate about the purebred swine industry, and I began dreaming about returning to the organization someday in a leadership role. I wanted to be part of an organization that is truly making a difference.

“My main goal is to ensure we maintain that same family fun environment that I fell in love with so many years ago.

If showing livestock isn’t fun, then why do it? I also hope to grow the organization to reach more swine exhibitors in more areas. I hope to improve on the events we already have on our annual schedule, as well as brainstorm for future additions.” Hope says about her goals. “However for now, I want to focus on making the transition as seamless as possible. Stepping into this position in the middle of the year is most easily compared to drinking from a fire hose!

There is a lot of information to comprehend, and the learning curve is sharp. I want to get to know as many of our members and their parents as possible, and learn from their experiences to make this organization better. As for the long term, my focus is on growing the organization and broadening our horizons. Team Purebred has made great strides in the last 10 years, and I am excited to see what we can do in the next decade.”

Hope can be contacted at teampurebred@teampurebred.com

Our Responsibility. Our Promise. Get Certified.

A voluntary, industry-driven program, PQA Plus® combines food safety and animal well-being principles into a widely-respected and used certification program. By becoming PQA Plus certified, pork producers demonstrate commitment to provide high quality, responsibly produced products. The program includes: • Individual certification through producer education • Site status through an on-farm site assessment • Opportunity for third-party verification to give the system credibility

Learn more about PQA Plus by visiting www.pork.org/certification or by calling the Pork Service Center at 800-456-7675.

©2013 National Pork Board. Des Moines, IA USA. This message funded by America’s Pork Producers and the Pork Checkoff.

Cargill-Owned Farms Finished Group Housing Conversion Goal Early Cargill Pork, LLC, one of the largest pork producers in the U.S., is 11 months ahead of its own schedule for completing the conversion to group housing for sows at company-owned farms. In June 2014, Cargill Pork announced a commitment to group housing of sows at company-owned farms, with the original completion date set for Dec. 31, 2015.

“We are pleased to achieve 100% group housing at Cargill Pork farms nearly one year ahead of schedule,” said Mike Luker, president of Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation’s pork business. “This is a significant investment in the future of our pork business, and one we made as the result of listening to the marketplace in recent years.”

For a number of years, Cargill’s U.S. pork operation had maintained 50 percent group housing for companyowned sows at farms owned by Cargill Pork. Its 2011 acquisition of an idled hog farm complex in the Texas Panhandle helped the company achieve 100 percent group housing for its gestating sows at company-owned farms. Leading the team in Texas is Mike Gruber, the general manager of Cargill Pork in Dalhart. He is responsible for all operation, personnel and business functions including pig production, cattle and crops.

Cargill Pork - Dalhart markets 1.625 million hogs annually.

Gruber currently serves on the Texas Pork Producers Association Board of Directors. He also serves on the TPPA swine health and public policy committees. Cargill is at the forefront of meeting the challenges the pork industry faces. Mike Explains, “I believe there are a few major issues impacting the pork industry and our livelihoods. These issues go hand in hand and are the long-term sustainability of producers, production systems and customers, and maintaining our freedom to operate. There is a current disconnect between our industry and the general public, and this lack of knowledge and understanding by consumers has created issues in how they trust our industry. Positively promoting our principles and telling our story is of great importance and vital in preserving our operating freedom and long-term sustainability.”

Since the Texas site was acquired, Cargill Pork has invested more than $60 million in the purchase and improvement of the 22,000-acre property near Dalhart, including the conversion of sow barns to contain group housing. Cargill Pork’s Dalhart facility employs more than 300 people, including a team trained to care for the animals at the site.

“In recent years, many of our customers have made commitments related to the pork they will buy in the future, and we intend to meet those needs,” stated Luker. “We’ve been a pioneer in the use of group housing for gestating sows dating back more than a decade, and recently there has been growing public interest in the welfare related to animals raised for food. Group housing and individual housing for gestating sows both have benefits and challenges. Although a large-scale change to group housing takes time and is costly, we believe it is the right thing to do for the long term future of our pork production in the U.S., and our customers agree with us and support our decision. However, we are always mindful about the many family farms raising hogs that have livelihoods invested in their operations and it will require patience and resources, should they choose to move to group housing.”

The target for conversion to group housing at contract farms containing Cargill Pork sows remains Dec. 31, 2017. Hogs produced by Cargill Pork-owned sows represent approximately 30 percent of the total animals harvested each year at Cargill’s two pork processing facilities.

Pork Production Industry...

The Story Everyone Should Know This is a story about change and the choices farmers are making to do things better for their animals, the environment and their business.

Pork has changed...

In the past, pig farmers raised some of everything. Today, farmers generally specialize. In the past, pigs were raised outside. Today, pigs are generally raised in modern barns.

And pigs have changed from fat to lean. Compared with pigs from the 1950s, pigs today are much leaner with 75 percent less fat. Around World War II, pigs averaged almost three inches of back fat compared with less than one inch today.

Above: Pigs of the past raised outdoors and subject to harsh

Today’s modern hog farms combine the best of traditional weather elements. farming practices with the benefits of modern technology Below: Today’s pigs are raised within barns; in a climate and agriculture science to provide a pork supply that is controlled environment. safer, leaner and more nutritious than at any time in our nation’s history. And because the quality is so good, we’re now the world’s largest pork exporter – a fact that ends up hitting close to home as dollars from those international sales flow back into our local economy.

How did farmers do all that? By listening to consumers and working hard every day to get even better at what they do. In the late 1970s, American consumers started focusing more on the link between fat in their diet and health. As a society we began to change our diet. Between 1979 and 1985, demand for pork fell four percent per year, while demand for chicken surged. (Source: Dr. Steve Meyer, Paragon Economics) The pork industry responded by pushing forward with new science, new technologies and new farming practices to focus on the health of the animal to produce lean and nutritious pork. The most powerful tools in changing pork have been: - Selective Breeding: using traditional breeding techniques that focus on selecting the best genes or traits for raising healthier, leaner pigs.

- Nutrition: feeding pigs a prescribed diet that provides just the right nutrients at just the right time throughout each pig’s growth cycle.

- Animal Health: keeping pigs healthy by preventing and controlling sickness.

How pig farmers operate…

It’s also helpful to look back at what’s happened to pig farming. Fifty years ago, most pigs were raised outdoors in small shelters with straw bedding. Weather extremes, disease and predators took a toll on pigs’ well-being and health. While there are several different types of modern housing systems in use, farmers today have largely moved their pigs into barns to better protect them from extreme weather and disease, and to provide a clean, comfortable growing environment. These barns, along with new management practices, have resulted in healthier and leaner pigs. Because pigs overall are healthier, mother pigs (known as sows) are giving birth to more piglets per liter. And because more piglets are getting a stronger start, they grow bigger and healthier, and provide more and better meat than ever before. That’s why, since the 1960s, the amount of meat a sow can produce per year has more than doubled. (Source: USDA/NASS - Ron Plain, University of Missouri, 2009)

And while farmers are raising more pork, they are using 41 percent less water and 78 percent less land, and have reduced their carbon footprint by 35 percent since 1959. (Source: Garth Boyd, Ph.D./National Pork Board 2012). An Iowa State study also shows that farmers use 80 percent less energy for each pig raised today than they did in the 1970s. (Source: Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 2010: Optimizing Energy Use in Pig Production.). Once again, the combination of modern housing systems, along with better nutrition, breeding practices and disease prevention have driven this dramatic evolution in raising pigs.

As noted previously, most farmers today have moved their pigs into barns to protect their health and safety. These modern barns allow farmers to provide for each pig’s individual needs, ensuring a more constant level of care and nutrition. For example, feed and water can be carefully monitored to meet each pig’s growth and development. The barns are also designed to serve the unique needs of the pigs through each phase of their growth cycle. They include breeding and birthing units, nurseries, and finishing barns where pigs grow to market weight before they are sold. And each barn’s climate is constantly monitored to keep the pigs comfortable with plenty of fresh air.

In the breeding and birthing barns, the mother pigs or sows are pregnant 114 days and are fed and cared for on an individual basis. These barns are generally maintained at a temperature of 65 degrees year-round. A sow will have 10 to 13 piglets per litter. The piglets are weaned 21 days after birth. The piglets are then moved to a nursery barn where they are sorted by gender so feed can be carefully formulated. They’re fed a complex diet consisting of grain, proteins and milk products. In fact, 8 to 10 different feed formulations are used throughout a pig’s lifetime, and are generally based on a blend of corn and soybeans. The piglets will stay in the nursery 8 weeks and will reach an average weight of 40 to 60 pounds. The finishing barn is where the pigs are taken to grow to their market weight – generally 260 pounds in 90 to 120 days. These barns provide more space, ventilation and larger feeders, and can feature a variety of environments for the pigs such as lighted and shaded areas, and warm and cool spots.

Piglets are given a warm & safe area to sleep away from the sow.

Pigs leave the nursery and head to the finishing barn. They will stay here until they go to market at about 260 pounds.

All of these modern barns are designed to help pigs live healthier than ever before. These modern housing systems also allow breeders to specialize in ways that work best for their business. In years past, most farmers raised pigs all the way from start to finish. Today, they can choose from a number of options based on their existing barns, experience or financial means. Some farmers still raise pigs from start to finish. Others may breed sows and send weaned pigs to another farm for finishing. Others may only take pigs to feed and finish them to their market weight. Some may choose to develop special breeds for other farmers.

Animal health…

Pig farmers know that raising healthy pigs helps ensure healthy and safe food, and that’s way they also follow strict rules to prevent pigs from getting sick or suffering. Farmers will post “stop” signs to control access to barns in order to keep people from exposing pigs to disease. And some farmers even ask people who work with their pigs to shower and put on clean coveralls and boots. Additional disease prevention measures include disinfecting any tools that are brought into the barns from outside. Furthermore, the barns are thoroughly cleaned with high-pressure washing after each herd of pigs is moved out and before a new herd can move in to prevent sickness from spreading among the pigs. As you can see, preventing pigs from getting sick is a high priority. But when pigs get sick, farmers are very careful about the way they use medicines. And, their animals are treated based on what veterinarians tell them to do and they follow strict FDA rules.

Environmental Stewardship…

Pig farmers know their livelihoods are also tied to the land and fully understand their responsibility to conserve natural resources and protect the land. And in fact, a number of their farming practices focus on a continuous cycle of recycling: Producers grow crops, feed those grains to livestock and use the natural fertilizer from their animals to feed the next season’s row crop, which in turn will provide a new supply of feed for the animals. The pork industry has also been working to develop new systems that protect the environment, and has made dramatic improvements that include: - Modern waste management systems that allow for the complete containment of animal waste.

- Air management programs that focus on emissions from housing, manure storage and land application.

- Reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.

The pork industry is working with scientists to develop tools that will help farmers continue to reduce their environmental footprint in the areas of land and water use as well as air and carbon emissions. In fact, the EPA estimates that the pork industry contributes approximately one third of one percent of the total U.S. emissions.

(Source: Data from EPA GHG Draft Inventory 2011). Farmers are determined to reduce that figure even more by using the latest technology and modern farming practices.

Continuous quality improvement…

Farmers know that they must always keep learning and working to push the pork industry forward to do more.

And, they have a number of programs in place designed to do just that through education, training, and certification which include: - Pork Quality Assurance Plus: this program helps farmers measure, track and provide training for things like food safety, animal care and disease prevention. More than 61,000 farmers have been trained and certified through the program. (NPB, February 2014) - Transport Quality Assurance: this program focuses on teaching the proper handling and transport of pigs to ensure their well-being at every stage of life. Almost 30,000 farm workers have been trained and certified through the program. (NPB, November 2013) Today’s pork…

All of this science and commitment to do things better paid off with a key industry milestone in 2006 when a USDA study* showed that: - Pork tenderloin is just as lean as a skinless chicken breast - The 7 most common pork cuts are, on average, 16 percent leaner than 25 Moving piglets from one production phase to another using Transport years ago, and Quality Assurance protocal.

- Saturated fat has dropped 27 percent

Today’s pork is also a nutrient-dense food with many of the proteins, minerals and vitamins required for a healthy, balanced diet. (*Source: Study conducted by: USDA in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Maryland). In January 2012, pork received more high marks when the American Heart Association certified pork tenderloin as a heart-healthy food and gave it the trusted Heart-Check mark, designating it an extra lean meat. This certification means pork tenderloin has been screened and verified by the AHA, and the Heart-Check mark can be used on pork tenderloin package labels to help consumers make heart-healthy food choices in their grocery store.

And leaner pork means less cooking. Years ago pork was often overcooked due to our fear of trichinosis; which is now virtually nonexistent because of today’s modern farming practices. In May 2011, USDA guidelines were updated for safely cooking whole cuts of pork such as chops, roasts and tenderloins to a medium rare internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit with a resting time of three minutes before carving or eating. Those cuts will slightly pink on the inside. To achieve medium doneness, cook whole pork cuts to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Ground pork, like all ground meats, should be cooked to 160 degrees.

Economic impact…

Because the quality of U.S. pork has become so good, demand for it from foreign consumers has increased significantly during the last 25 years. They are buying more U.S. pork because it is lean and safe, and the quality is remarkably consistent.

According to the U.S. Meat Export Federation, in 1986 approximately $2 from every hog sold came from international customers – today that figure has risen to almost $54 for every hog sold. And, the U.S. pork industry’s number one export customer is the world’s most demanding consumer – Japan. Sales to Japan during 2013 totaled $1.9 billion – accounting for 30 percent of total U.S. pork export value. Overall, pork exports (pork plus variety meats) remained strong in 2013 exceeding $6 billion for the third consecutive year, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

Here at home, the pork industry generates more than half a million jobs. And produces more than $21 billion in personal income each year. (Source: Pork Checkoff / USDA Economic Research Service, 2009). From around the world and coast-to-coast, those dollars come back to the local community every time a pig farmer opens his or her wallet to buy cars, groceries, clothing and a host of local services. Farmers also support the community by generating tax revenue and creating good-paying jobs.

Since 1995, salaries for pork industry employees have risen nearly 80 percent compared to a 60 percent increase in the average civilian wage. (Source: National Hog Farmer Magazine June 15, 2005.). Pig farming generates revenue for other farm-related businesses as well through the purchase of farm supplies, machinery and livestock feed. Pig farmers buy about 10 percent of the total U.S. corn crop and 10 percent of the total U.S. soybean crop each year to feed their animals. (Source: Pork Quick Facts 2012, www.pork.org) Moving pork forward…

Most importantly farmers want to impact their local communities by building trust with you and the rest of their neighbors. Pig farmers want you to know why they are making the choices they do to change how they raise pigs for the better. By using science and technology to learn how to do things better, we they have been able to make important changes that today allow them to raise healthier animals, provide better food and protect the environment. Technology has helped pig farmers just like it helps many every day with things like cell phones and computers. Pig farmers’ number one goal is to make sure safe and healthy food gets to your dinner table today and in the future.

SOMETIMES THE GRASS IS GREENER

WANT A PROMISING CAREER IN THE PORK INDUSTRY? GET A BOOST WITH UNIVERSITY-LEVEL SPECIFIC COURSES!

REGISTER NOW! Swine Science Online is the first undergraduate program that offers online education and training for current and future pork professionals. Learn scientific principles and management skills involved in pork production through online courses taught by INDUSTRY LEADERS AT THESE MAJOR UNIVERSITIES: Iowa State University North Carolina State University South Dakota State University University of Missouri

For more information, visit swinescienceonline.org or contact cbranderhorst@usporkcenter.org with any questions.

PEDV Brings Its WORST. Pork Checkoff Brings Its BEST. PEDV RESOURCES

PEDV Brings Its Worst.

Pork Checkoff Brings Its Best.

For the latest Checkoff-funded PEDV information and resources, go to:

pork.org/pedv

©2014 National Pork Board. Des Moines, IA USA This message funded by America’s Pork Producers and the Pork Checkoff.

Fast Action Within a month after Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus was first identified in the United States in 2013, the National Pork Board began funding scientific research about how to stop this costly disease.

Major Funding By mid-2014, the Pork Checkoff had funded nearly $3 million in PEDV and related research for more than 35 separate projects.

Resources Delivered Thanks to Checkoff-funded research already conducted, some practical on-farm solutions to PEDV have been delivered to U.S. pork producers.

For the latest Checkoff-funded PEDV information and resources, go to pork.org/pedv.

©2015 National Pork Board. Des Moines, IA USA This message funded by America’s Pork Producers and the Pork Checkoff.

W E F A Y L ON !

T F E L S T SPO

CALL US ASAP!

Texas Pork Leadership Camp June 21 - 26, 2015 Texas Pork Leadership Camp is an intense, progressive and thought provoking week, full of activities, tours and presentations featuring all aspects of the pork production industry from Farm to Fork! Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have the opportunity to visit with world leading commercial hog operations, top Universities & industry professionals and tour large scale harvesting and pork processing plants.

Who can attend?

- Ages 16-18, not in college yet - Have an interest in the swine industry - Willing to learn, grow and be an advocate for the swine industry

Topics Covered:

- Key Industry Issues - Live Animal Evaluation - Taste & Sensory Panels - Promotion & Media - Leadership & Team Building - College Prep, Careers & Internships - Harvesting & Processing - Breeding, Reproduction & Genetics on a Commercial Level - Retail Marketing

Call the TPPA Office ASAP to Apply!!

Application available at www.texaspork.org 512.453.0615

Connect with a Mentor

www.PorkSquare.com at aBlog glance...

Connect PorkSquare is on Facebook and Twitter, helping connect and promote young professionals and the pork industry.

Discover Surprising Careers in the Pork Industry

“Scholarships and Internships are posted!!!for students Applying PorkSquare.com is available ages 15for to Scholarships 25 interested in a http://t.co future inGo thetopork industry. PorkSquare is an interactive, social media-driven /Tk6B0cchRS to find November 7, 2013 website more for career information in the pork industry.

It serves as the industry’s opportunities!”

one-stop shop for internships, scholarships and college information.

It’s not what you think Occupational Profiles

Internships, Scholarships, & Companies

From production managers to human resources professionals, there are ample opportunities in the pork industry.

Unlock the Opportunities of the Pork Industry Welcome to PorkSquare SM – your town square for information about internships, scholarships, college and career information in the swine industry. It’s easy to sign up for an account and link up with companies looking for quality young professionals like yourself.

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Occupational Profiles Find the perfect pork career

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Get involved Connect with a Mentor

“Scholarships and Internships are posted!!!

Go to http://t.co /Tk6B0cchRS to find more opportunities!”

Blog

PorkSquare links you with 4-H, the FFA and other organizations to help build upon your ag experience.

Videos

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Videos show interested youth that careers in the pork industry encompass more than they might expect as they hear directly from industry professionals and experts.

Applying for Scholarships

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Internships, Scholarships, Contributing bloggers from all aspects the & of Companies pork industry post blogs that benefit young professionals interested in a career revolving Search around pork.

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Classes & Programs From college courses to continued education and training, PorkSquare gives young people the opportunity to further their swine education.

Interview Resources Shared tips and tricks help students improve their Occupational Profiles interview skills and help prepare them for different situations when applying for internships and jobs.

Find the perfect pork career

Get Involved

Sponsors In addition to the Pork Checkoff, PorkSquare was developed with the support of AgStar Financial Services, Indiana Pork, the Iowa Pork Producers Association and the North Carolina Pork Council.

Interview Resources

Classes & Programs

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Law - Advote for the pork industry and handle all legal matters. Represent companies & the industry within the government. * Legislator * Lawyer * Political Representative

Administrative - The core foundation of any business, association, school, or farm; planning, leading, organizing and controlling many of the daily functions to keep the business and employees working. * Executive * Office Manager & Staff * Accounting Controller * Payroll Manager * Technology Specialist

Marketing & Communica industry, work closely wit tions - Serve as an advocate for the h a wide range of people in other fields of work and ind various story of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pork pro ustries while communicating the * Communications Direct ducers. * Web Developer & Graphor * Association Managementic Designer * Producer - Outreach Ser vices & Public Relations * Marketing Manager * Retail & Consumer Promo * Market Research Analy tions st

Animal Health - Play a major role in the safety and wellbeing of swine through careers in animal health. From pharmaceutical sales to a veterinarian, there is a wide variety of jobs offered. * Veterinarian * Animal Well-Being Manager * Pharmaceutical Sales * Veterinarian Technician * Quality Assurance Manager

Human Reso urces - Coord and assist & ad inate imple company poli vise company managers mentation of services, po ci areas of resp es, procedures, and proabout employee issues. Mlicies and programs, development onsibility include: recru grams for employees o anage and maintain * Human Resof employees, employeeiting/hiring/firing of empf a company. Some lo compensatio * Recruitmen ource Manager n, organizatioyees, training and t n developmen & T ra in in * Employee g Officers t. * Safety CooBenefits Manager rdinator

Meat Science - Work with pork & pork products in assuring that a quality and wholesome product is distributed to consumers; work with consumers in educating them how to select pork from the meat case or help develop new products. * Livestock Procurement Manager * Research & Developer/Food Scientist * Processing Manager * Butcher * Meat Quality Assurance * Food Safety Analyst * Human Nutritionist

Animal Nu stages of a ptrition - Work to form consumers. Uigs life, to provide a sa ulate swine diets for al companies an niversities, scientific refe wholesome product fo l employers fo d animal production comsearch firms, swine feedr panies are am * Swine Fee r this field. ong the top * Nutritionald Specialists * Animal Nu Mill Technician * Feed Sales tritionist * Feed Mill Representative Manager

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Reach for the Stars with the Professional Swine Managers Program The Professional Swine Manager program covers all aspects of swine production and managementlevel responsibilities. Community college students and current pig production employees can gain the skills, knowledge and experience needed to excel as a farm manager through education and technical training delivered by community college instructors who are experience in the pork industry.

The courses include: • Facility Maintenance (Spring 2015) • Employer/Employee Issues (Summer 2015) • Breeding Stock Management (Fall 2015)

• Swine Record Systems (Spring 2015) • Agribusiness Internship (Summer 2015) • Nursery and Finishing Management (Fall 2015)

For additional information visit USPorkCenter.org

Texas Teams Dominate this spring!

Champion Livestock Judging Junior College Team at San Antonio & Houston!

Congratulations Blinn!

Champion Livestock Judging Senior College Team at San Antonio & Houston!

Congratulations Texas Tech!

Swine Skillathon Results San Antonio Swine Skillathon was held on Wednesday, February 12th during the San Antonio Livestock Show. Texas FFA and 4-H exhibitors participated in a knowledge based competition; challenged with a written exam, skills stations and public speaking encompassing various facets of swine and the pork industry.

Junior Division

Intermediate Division

1st - Zachary Gray, Cameron Co. 4-H 2nd - Kyla Beck, Marion FFA 3rd - Kinsey Gardner, Coryell Co. 4-H 4th - Amanda Hoffman, Guadalupe Co. 4-H 5th - Kase Kelso, Guadalupe Co. 4-H

1st - Karson Kelso, Guadalupe Co. 4-H 2nd - Shelby Berckenhoff, Hallettsville FFA 3rd - Breanne Havins, Florence FFA 4th - Kyle Real, Denton Co. 4-H 5th - Tayler Mills, Marion FFA

Senior Division

1st - Charlie Hoppe, Cedar Park FFA 2nd - Sara McManus, Lexington FFA 3rd - Alexandra Ely, Comfort FFA 4th - Jason Winkler, Lexington FFA 5th - Tayler Hoelscher, Fort Bend Co. 4-H

Youth t h g i l t Spo

Kaitlyn Brooke Robinson

Going out with a

BANG!

T

hirteen years ago, a five-year-old girl was nervously waiting to show her first hog at the Baird local show.

Her father gave his only daughter words of wisdom and encouragement; knowing that once she got in the show ring she would relax and have fun. He was certainly right because today that young lady is not only a seasoned veteran to the ring, but also a passionate show pig producer; raising many of her own show projects.

Kaitlyn Robinson and her parents, Burke and Cami, live on their farm in Baird, Texas where they raise commercial cattle and club pigs. Originally showing hogs was a hobby that Kaitlyn enjoyed, but quickly evolved into a family business that the Robinson’s work hard to grow. Kaitlyn began her show career exhibiting hogs that she purchased at sales, but after a few years the family decided to test their luck in raising show pigs.

“We found it to be way more interesting and competitive when you have one of your own pigs out there in the ring,” said Kaitlyn. “It also helped us learn how pigs grow from start to finish, which in turn helped us become more successful with our showing and feeding programs.”

The foundation of their operation consisted of a small rundown shed, two gilts and one sow. Over the course of the past five years, Kaitlyn and her family have expanded their facilities adding a farrowing house and a nursery; and developed their sow herd, now consisting of 10 Hampshire, Yorkshire and Crossbred sows.

If you look at Kaitlyn’s track record in the ring, it is apparent she has a knack for raising good hogs. Since her debut at the Baird local show, Kaitlyn has won Grand Champion barrow eight years in a row, taking home a new belt buckle each time. Additionally, Kaitlyn has racked up banners at the Callahan County show, winning both Grand and Reserve Grand Champion twice, as well as winning Grand Champion barrow four out of past six years.

Kaitlyn continued her success into her senior year, ending her junior show career on a high note. She drove the Reserve Crossbred barrow and the Reserve Grand Champion gilt at the Dinosaur Valley Jackpot, beating 210 gilts. Kaitlyn once again showed the Grand Champion market hog at the Baird local show, as well as the Grand and Reserve Grand Champion hog at the 2015 Callahan County livestock show. Kaitlyn kicked off the majors at Fort Worth, where she exhibited the second place heavyweight Hampshire barrow; who was also the class champion for the CTBR program. At the Stars of Texas Gilt Show, she exhibited a class-winning Crossbred, along with a fifth place female. During the barrow show at San Angelo, she drove a ninth place middleweight Crossbred barrow.

When asked what her favorite stock show is, Kaitlyn is quick to state that the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) is her top pick, for a few reasons. The first reason being it is where she achieved her proudest accomplishment; exhibiting a class winning barrow. Kaitlyn vividly remembers winning her middleweight Hampshire class at the 2011 HLSR and what a once in a lifetime experience it was to walk across the stage at the sale. She also enjoys the Houston stock show because of the activities that take place and the number of hogs that compete there. Another accomplishment that Kaitlyn holds dear to her heart is earning the title of Reserve Division Champion barrow at the 2012 San Antonio barrow show.

Kaitlyn takes great pride in the progress she has made as a showman and as a producer, but knows she did not get where she is today without the guidance of some very important people. “We have been given numerous opinions and helpful hints along the way,” explained Kaitlyn. “The Windham family, Randy and Craig Bessent, David Arnold, Marty Smith and Danny Vestal have helped steer me and our operation in the right direction.”

Get to know Kaitlyn

Age: 18 years old School: Senior, Baird High School 4-H/FFA Chapter: Baird FFA Accomplishment: Showing a class-winning barrow at Houston.

Favorite hog: Rock Star Likes: Hunting, traveling, competitive cheerleading, painting and crafting Nicknames: Kait, Kaitebug and Hollywood Future plans: Tarleton State University, occupational therapy

With her support system behind her, Kaitlyn has grown into a very knowledgeable, dedicated and passionate swine enthusiast. In fact, she is so immersed in the show pig industry that picking her favorite part of raising hogs is tough because Kaitlyn loves being a part of the whole process. After contemplating the question, Kaitlyn decided that for her the most exciting part of raising hogs is spending all night in the barn waiting for her sows to farrow. “I really enjoy waiting for the first signs of the babies coming,” said Kaitlyn. “I also like helping the babies learn how to nurse and stay safe while the rest of the litter is being born.”

From production to the show ring, Kaitlyn is there to witness and learn from it all. She loves to raise and show hogs because it gives her opportunities to travel to new places and meet new people, that otherwise she would never get to. Additionally, Kaitlyn’s competitive nature only adds to her drive to succeed in the show ring, stating that she loves to do well with hogs that she raised. “I love my pigs and I enjoy seeing and experiencing the different personalities that each hog has.”

Kaitlyn is also a force to be reckoned with outside of the show ring. She has been named to the Honor Roll all four years of her high school education and is ranked in the top 10 percent of her graduating class. Kaitlyn has also mastered the balancing act of juggling school, showing and extra curricular activities. During her four years at Baird High School Kaitlyn was a member of Student Council, BETA Club, FCA and the FFA Quiz Bowl team, as well as an athlete on the varsity basketball, track, and cheer teams. Most kids view summer as a time to relax and take a breather from school and responsibilities. While Kaitlyn spends her summers working at Camp Rehab which focuses on helping special needs kids, and also volunteers with a Down Syndrome Buddy Walk program.

The 2015 Texas stock show season has now come to an end, but Kaitlyn has no intention of letting her passion for the hog industry end just because she stepped off Houston’s green shavings for the last time. This young and hardworking pig farmer is going to continue raising show hogs to sell to local 4-H and FFA exhibitors, and potentially exhibit boars at various open shows and sales. This fall Kaitlyn will begin her freshmen year at Tarleton State University where she will major in Biology/Pre-Physical Therapy, with the goal of ultimately becoming an Occupational Therapist. Upon finishing her college education, Kaitlyn wants to work close to home and eventually take over the hog operation. Kaitlyn’s dream is to blend her two passions; working with special needs children and showing hogs, and incorporate pigs in the therapy she provides.

From talking with Kaitlyn it is clear to see that above raising and showing hogs, is her devout faith in God and her love and appreciation for her parents. “My mom and dad play a huge part in the success of my hog operation,” explained Kaitlyn. “They have always led me down the right path and taught me the value of hard work, dedication and responsibility. But more than anything, I am grateful that they raised me in a loving Christian home where God comes first. Without them I would not be the person I am today.”

What is your funniest or most embarrassing show ring moment?

I have two embarrassing and funny moments. One was this year in San Angelo; I was showing my first place blue-butt gilt for breed champion and saw some dirt on her, I bent down to brush her off and she peed on my jeans and all in my boot before I could move out of her way. The other embarrassing moment happened when I was in San Antonio walking my pig to the ring for the show. My pig and I were taking our sweet time when another pig came running from behind me and went in between my legs and threw me in the air.

Do you have any show day superstitions?

Some superstitions I have are wearing my basketball necklace and other jewelry every time I show. I also like to wear the same purple t-shirt on show day before I put on my show clothes.

What has being involved in production agriculture taught you?

Being involved in production agriculture has taught me many things, but the main thing is responsibility.

Responsibility is a major key in your life and it is good to learn responsibility at a young age.

What event or activity have you enjoyed the most or learned the most through participating?

The most enjoyable part of my showing career has been learning how to show. I am always getting helpful tips and doing better each time. I have gone from one of those kids who didn’t have any idea what was going on, to one who is alert at all times. I have really enjoyed learning this aspect of showing.

What advice would you give to younger showmen?

Some advice I would give to younger showman is to not take anything for granted. You will blink and your show career will be over. Always make eye contact with the judge, smile, and always make sure to shake their hand no matter what. Most importantly, just stay with it. We started out being happy just to make weight and finished our showing career with a lot of success at all levels.

What’s your favorite quote?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5-6

Is there a funny or interesting story involving you and pigs?

The funniest moment that I can remember was at San Antonio. They had just called my class and we were walking my pig to the ring and all of a sudden a group of tourists that had never seen pigs before crowded in and gathered around my pig and wanted to touch it and ask a bunch of questions. We finally had to run them off and take the pig on to the ring. We ended up being Reserve Light-weight Champion. So now every time we head to the ring we look for a group of tourists to rub on my pig.

Story and Layout by: Whitley Gammill

Showing them the way West Texas A&M University faculty aids in the learning process by implementing real-world application for students at every level

The Little International, often

referred to as Little I, takes its name from the nation’s oldest and most recognized livestock show, the International Livestock Exposition.

The International was founded in Chicago in 1902, and has been held annually in all but two years since that time. The two years this event was not held were in the early 1900s and were due to a fire at the show grounds in Chicago. Today the International is known as the North American International Livestock Exposition and is located in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville has served as the host city since the 1970s.

Block and Bridle Club chapters at universities around the U.S have been conducting a student version of The International since 1922. West Texas A&M University is honored to have continue this tradition for the past 63 years. Past participants in Little Internationals include former U.S. presidents, congressmen, industry leaders, and of course, history-making livestock producers. Indeed, the participants

the majority of students have never in Little I have become the leaders had the opportunity to touch a that shape the U.S. and world lamb, pig, horse, or even cattle. livestock industry.

Students participating in Little The WTAMU version of the I are led by senior agricultural Little International provides a education students that are enrolled unique opportunity not found in AGRI 4305. These students are at any other university. Through within a year of student teaching collaboration between the ANSC 1319, a introductory animal science and are given the responsibilities of an agriscience course, and “Little I is a unique advisor or 4-H AGRI 4305, experience for everyone agent. West a senior level agricultural involved. It is another great Texas A&M Little education example of how livestock University’s I is developed course, can be used as an avenue for to resemble FFA students in and 4-H livestock both courses learning” programs to give experience our students real world knowledge more opportunity to learn about and skills in the area of livestock livestock, develop leadership and production. enjoy teamwork in this unique “Little I is a unique experience team format. for everyone involved. It is another Underclassmen students great example of how livestock can enrolled in ANSC 1319 have the opportunity to care for, groom, and be used as an avenue for learning,” exhibit livestock. Students in ANSC said senior agricultural education 1319 have a wide range of livestock student, Andrew Sprague from Darrouzett, TX. experience. Many have had the Three weeks prior to the Little opportunity to exhibit livestock International, students from ANSC nationwide for many years, while

1319 are formed into 12 different teams, each one having their own student advisor from AGRI 4305.

The student advisor is given the responsibly to educate their team on proper animal care such as grooming techniques and use of proper tools, proper feeding and nutrition, as well as how to exhibit an animal in the show ring.

Little International students are allowed to exhibit three of the four categories of livestock of their choice: sheep, swine, beef cattle, and equine. Students are competing in a showmanship contest. When students enter the show ring they are being evaluated on their ability to exhibit the animal with ease, comfort, and ability to maneuver the animal as needed. Students must be able to think on their feet as judges will ask students questions about the species they are exhibiting. These questions can range from basic identification procedures to industry knowledge.

The showmanship competition expands over two days. Winners from each species go head-to-head

in the round-robin championships.

Students who make it to the championship round are required to exhibit all of the livestock species. They are judged on their ability to exhibit the four different species. Out of the championship round, a grand champion and reserve grand champion winner is chosen.

“I was totally out of my element when it came to Little International, I have never been around animals before, but Dr. Lust told me to just try and I will be ok. That’s what I did and with the help on my student advisor and my team I was able to place 2nd with my sheep,” said Davon Hareware, a junior international business student from Brooklyn, NY by way of Barbados.

Students also are able to showcase the knowledge they have gained in the classroom as well as the hands-on experience of exhibiting the animals, in what is known as the Quiz Bowl.

Teams compete against one another on general industry and animal knowledge. This is a single

2014 Entries By the Numbers:

128 Cattle 91 Sheep 78 Swine 109 Equine 60+ Quiz Bowl elimination bracketed competition.

In 2014, WTAMU saw the highest level of participation to date. This event would not be possible without the help of graduate assistants, student and community volunteers, as well as the support of the Department of Agricultural Sciences faculty and staff.

®

SM

#REALPIGFARMING What’s it all about?

You’ve likely heard people talking about it, or maybe you’ve ® seen it used online. But what’s it really all about?

At a time when the world is demanding protein in record amounts, pig farmers are proud of the role they play in providing safe, nutritious pork for everyone to enjoy. #RealPigFarming gives them a way to show the world how SM they do it. To talk about how they care for their animals 365 days a year.

To take consumers inside America’s 67,000 pig farms, spread out across all 50 states. Where 98 percent of pig farms are family owned and 113 million pigs are being raised.

To share the practices they use to ensure the day-to-day health of their pigs and meet the highest standards in food safety.

And to show the facilities and technology that enable them to use less land, less water and less energy than ever before. #RealPigFarming unites pig farmers, academics, youth, veterinarians and allied industry members to tell the story of how modern pork production really works.

With less than two percent of people in the U.S. engaged in the agriculture, there’s a knowledge gap between consumers and the farm.

And, pig farmers know that when consumers learn the facts about pork production in the U.S., they become more confident that pig farmers have always been committed to doing the right thing.

Pig farmers are proud of the role they play in providing safe, nutritious pork for everyone to enjoy and they are eager to share their #realpigfarming stories with you.

So if you’re curious how modern pork production really works, follow along or join in the conversation. In addition to this blog, you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Visit us on Facebook.

Follow us @RealPigFarming on Twitter.

32,706,570 OVERALL IMPRESSIONS Social media posts from

ALL 50 STATES AND 93 COUNTRIES

27,689 1,136

TWITTER POSTS

INSTAGRAM POSTS

535 FOLLOWERS

#RealPigFarming FACEBOOK PAGE 3,609 LIKES 156 USERS ENGAGED DAILY 2,546 PEOPLE REACHED DAILY

(AVERAGE) (AVERAGE)

Clicks to PorkCares.org 3,920 CLICKS FROM SOCIAL Share your story: facebook.com/RealPigFarming Results from July 1 2014 to Feb. 28 2015

Train like a Champion BLINN COLLEGE LIVESTOCK JUDGING CAMP 2015 Camp Dates

July 19-21

FOR CAMPERS EXPERIENCED IN JUDGING

July 22-24 FOR CAMPERS NOVICE TO JUDGING

Cost to attend: $250 • Deadline: July 8 Space may be limited

Return entry form to: Blinn Livestock 902 College Ave. • Brenham,TX 77833 For more information, contact Blinn Judging Staff Joe Rathmann: 512-988-0084, joseph.rathmann@blinn.edu Brice Mund: 979-224-4423, brice.mund@blinn.edu Prizes and Awards will be presented to top judges.

www.blinn.edu

Become A Texas Animal Health Commission Insider The TAHC Communications Department issues frequent news releases, educational brochures, announcements, etc. to inform the public of current news and/or changes pertaining to animal agriculture health issues and/or regulatory policies. To be in the know and receive pertinent information, become a TAHC Insider.

Sign up today to start receiving emails!

http://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/

To order a shirt please contact TPPA Office at 512.453.0615.

Over 300 Bacon Lovers from around central Texas attended the Whiskey Bourbon and Bacon Fest in Austin, Texas on February 26th.

The event hosted samples from the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best restaurants; tasting sweet savory bacon from local and regional producers paired with premium whiskies. Food & bourbon enthusiasts tasted their way through a dizzying array of specialty bourbons and unique whiskeys from distilleries both large and artisanal, while munching on a bevy of smoky, porky treats. Indulging in the variety of pork flavors, attendees quickly saw why bacon is not just for breakfast anymore!

Pork Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe Ingredients: 20 to 24 large fresh mushrooms 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion 1 tablespoon butter 2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 pound bulk pork sausage, cooked, crumbled and drained 3 tablespoons seasoned bread crumbs 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes 1 egg white Directions: Remove mushroom stems from caps. Set caps aside (discard stems or save for another use). In a small skillet, saute onion in butter until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer.

In a large bowl, combine the sausage, bread crumbs, cheese, parsley and egg white. Stir in onion mixture. Fill the mushroom caps; place in a lightly greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan.

Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until mushrooms are tender and tops are browned.

Parmesan-Crusted New York Pork Chops PorkBeInspired.com

SERVES 4

4 boneless New York (top loin) pork chops, about 1-in. thick 1 tbsp. olive oil 1 1/2 tsp. coarse salt 1 tsp. black pepper, freshly ground 1/3 c. panko (Japanese-style bread crumbs) 1/3 c. Parmesan cheese, freshly grated Brush pork with oil and season with salt and pepper.

Let stand 15-30 minutes. Mix panko and Parmesan in small bowl.

Prepare grill to medium-high heat. Place chops on grill and close lid. Grill over direct heat for 4 minutes. Turn chops and sprinkle panko mixture on top. Close lid and continue grilling for 4-5 minutes or until topping is lightly browned and internal temperature of pork on a meat thermometer reads between 145°F (medium rare) and 160°F (medium). Remove from grill and let rest 3 minutes.

Serving Suggestion: Serve with bow-tie pasta tossed with green peas and butter. Add chopped fresh basil, TEXAS parsley or chives to spice it up.

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©2014 National Pork Board, Des Moines, IA USA. This message funded by America’s Pork Producers and the Pork Checkoff.

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Little Caesars has devised a brand new way to feed the public’s obsession with bacon: wrapped around the pizza crust.

More specifically, 3 1/2 feet of bacon wrapped around the pizza crust.

The innovative budget pizza chain unveiled plans to nationally roll out on Feb. 23 the Bacon Wrapped Crust Deep! Deep! Dish Pizza. At $12, the limited-time offer will be one of Little Caesars’ priciest pizzas.

“Every time you take a bite out of the crust, you’ll get bacon,” says David Scrivano, CEO at Little Caesars. The pizza also comes with pepperoni and has bacon sprinkled on top. The promotion replaces the chain’s Soft Pretzel Crust Pizza. “Like many food makers and food sellers, Little Caesars is looking for a new way to cash in on the nation’s continued infatuation with all things bacon. Domestic bacon sales have climbed for five consecutive years, recently hitting the $4 billion mark, reports research specialist Information Resources.

Bacon has shown up in recent years in everything from sundaes at Burger King to milkshakes at Red Robin.” – USA Today NPB is engaged with the Menu Development/Innovation Team at Little Caesars to monitor and expand on their usage of pork on the menu.

News from the

National Pork Board EXPORT STATISTICS

Data released for the end of 2014 showed that US pork export value beat a record at $6.674 billion, which was up 10% over 2013. Volume was up 2% from 2013, at 4.803 billion pounds. However, the last quarter of the year was very challenging for exporters, due to west coast port congestion, high currency value and intense competition. Top volume markets were: Mexico, Japan, Hong Kong/China, Canada, South Korea, Central/South America, ASEAN and Oceania. Top value markets were: Japan, Mexico, Canada, Hong Kong/ China, South Korea, Central/South America, Oceania and ASEAN. Data released for January exhibited the significant export challenges, with volume down 16% and value down 15%.

Feb. 20th, shipments are not likely to return to a normal rhythm until April. Roughly half of US pork exports traditionally transited West Coast ports. We estimate that pork shipments will average 91 million pounds per month lower during the 1st quarter of 2015. So that adds to the current abundant supplies, but what about production? Through February US pork production was up 5% from a year ago, averaging 103 million pounds a month higher. So, the current weak pork market is a function of roughly 194 million extra pounds per month on the US market (91 million from smaller exports and 103 million from the increased production). Until abundant supplies are absorbed through the market channels expect no price relief.

CEO REPORT FROM FORUM PORK EXPORTS AND CURRENT At last week’s National Pork Industry Forum, there were many PRICES US pork prices continue to be pressed lower, driven by current abundant supplies. This is the economics of supply and demand.

But simple supply-and-demand economics don’t always provide an explanation. 2014 saw annual production 1.5% lower with an average cutout 18% higher. That has economists scratching their heads and suggests that price has a very inelastic relationship with supply.

Now we know that 2014 was a rare anomaly with enormous uncertainty around future PEDv issues and heavy outside interest in lean hog futures.

But, it raises real concerns to see that price relationship when we are expecting 2015 production to be up 3-5%. Last year 26.5% of US pork and pork variety meat production was exported. While muscle meat production declined 347 million pounds, exports declined 133 million pounds. As the calendar turned into 2015, exports faced serious challenges due to port slowdowns on the west coast. These slowdowns did not result in a strike or lockout, but the impact was similar as shipments slowed to a crawl and pork was backlogged in refrigerated storage across the country. Even though the negotiations were completed

conversations about the current state of the pork industry. In his CEO report, Chris Hodges shared his perspective on the marketplace.

With U.S. breeding herds having rebounded, the USDA is predicting an increase in hog production in 2015.

That will move production from a state of being down 2 percent this past year due to PEDV, to up 6 percent.

Adding to the increased production are record-high meat prices and lower cost feed. So more farmers are producing more hogs, and the hogs going to market are much heavier than normal. This expansion can only mean one thing - lower wholesale pork prices. Pork prices are already down 40 percent since last July. While this is good news for consumers as it means lower prices, it will pose a challenge to producers that are currently investing in and expanding production while prices continue to drop. Heavier hog weights combined with more production means 2015 could potentially offer the largest supply of pork ever.

“CLASSIC BOOM-AND-BUST PRICE PATTERN” LOOMS FOR HOG FARMERS

After hitting record highs last year, hog prices hit a five-year low in recent weeks, writes Purdue economist Chris

Hurt at farmdoc daily . An expansion in hog numbers has “helped create what may be the greatest collapse of hog prices ever. A classic boom-andbust price pattern.” Hurt says hog prices are likely to average $55 per 100 pounds, compared to last year’s record $76. The downturn in corn and soybean prices will mean lower feed costs this year, which will somewhat offset the lower market price for hogs, says Hurt. Pork production could rise by 6-7 percent this year.

“Pork producers need to be cautious about further expansion until more information can be gathered” writes Hurt. The quarterly Hogs and Pigs report on March 27 “will give clues” to how rapidly herds are growing. “If the industry has already expanded sufficiently to drive prices down near costs of production, further expansion could push the industry into losses,” he said. Feed prices are projected to be the lowest since 2010, but if farmers plant fewer acres of corn, as expected, those prices could be much higher if yields do not meet expectations for this year’s crop.

DISINFECTANT EXPANDS OPTIONS TO FIGHT PEDV

Pork producers have another tool in their battle against Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) accelerated hydrogen peroxide® (AHP®) disinfectant, sold under the brand name Accel®. This comes from a recent study funded by Pork Checkoff and conducted at Iowa State University that found the disinfectant inactivates PEDV even in the presence of feces found in swine trailers.

According to Lisa Becton, DVM, Pork Checkoff’s director of swine health information and research, a real key to the study was the fact that it mimicked harsh, real-life conditions. The take-home message from the study is that when washing, disinfecting and drying a trailer is not possible, there is an alternative.

An AHP disinfectant at a minimum 1:32 concentration, in a 10 percent propylene glycol solution, with 40 minutes of contact time is an effective option to reduce the risk of PEDV transmission between pig groups.

“The gold standard to defend against PEDV is still to thoroughly wash,

disinfect and dry livestock transport vehicles,” Becton said, “but the more we know, the wider range of options producers have for effective control.”

AVIAN INFLUENZA COULD ROCK PORK MARKET

What happens in other species can impact pork prices. A case in point may be avian influenza.

Pork producers have more important things to think about than avian influenza, but they should probably keep on eye on the situation in the United States. Although pork prices are not being affected now, if the price of poultry goes down significantly because of the disease, the demand for chicken will go up, reducing the demand for pork.

A serious strain of avian influenza was found in Minnesota in early March, threatening the No. 1 turkey producing state in the United States.

Some countries will ban the import of turkeys from this country as a result, some will restrict the ban just to Minnesota. Although, no further cases have been reported in Minnesota (as of publication), avian influenza has been found more recently in Kansas, which is not a serious player in the poultry business. Another case was reported in a California turkey flock.

However, avian influenza in a turkey flock was confirmed in Arkansas, the No. 3 broiler state in the country. “You could get into a situation if the disease starts popping in several places in Arkansas where our import customers ban all products from Arkansas,” says Steve Meyer, president of Paragon Economics and a consultant to the National Pork Producers Council.

“Mexico, the European Union and some others have done that already.”

If that happens, then you could have a significant impact on chicken exports, according to Meyer. “And that product would back up and drive chicken prices down, which would have a negative impact on pork demand. That’s where the impact on pork comes from – through lower prices for turkey or chicken.”

Meyer says it is a bit encouraging that we have heard no more reports out of Arkansas.

So, avian influenza is a potential negative for pork prices, but it is not affecting the market too much at this point, says Meyer. “The west coast port situation, the stronger dollar, the fact that we have been running a lot more hogs than what we anticipated

in the December Hogs and Pigs report; those things are far more important than avian influenza,” Meyer points out.

Given where hogs prices are now, if producers are still contemplating any kind of expansion this year, they need to think about that a little bit, suggests Meyer. “We had a pretty sizeable expansion of the breeding herd in the December report. That, plus not very many pigs lost this winter to PEDv means that supplies are going to be large this year.”

LIMP EXPORTS, SUPPLY SURGE FUEL RECORD PORK, BEEF STOCKS

U.S. pork and beef inventories in February hit record highs for the month, showing ongoing export challenges compounded by ramped up hog production, analysts said following the Department of Agriculture’s latest monthly cold storage report.

The additional pork comes as processors moved hams into cold storage facilities for the Easter holiday season, while stockpiling pork chops and bacon ahead of outdoor cookouts and the summer’s popular baconlettuce and tomato sandwich season.

Excess meat supply means grocers will have to significantly cut product prices to consumers for the coming spring grilling season, said Chicagobased Allendale Inc chief strategist Rich Nelson.

Monday’s USDA monthly cold storage report showed February pork inventories totaled 686.1 million pounds, which surpassed the February 2014 record of 654.7 million pounds.

Last month’s beef stocks totaled 492.1 million pounds, topping January 2015’s 491.9-million-pound record as well as the previous February 2013 high of 489.978 million pounds.

Beef stocks posted a record in February, but it was a marginal increase compared to the 90-millionpound addition of pork into storage, which was twice as much as the previous record inflow for February, said Nelson.

For pork, he said that vaccines and increased biosecurity measures offset the impact of the deadly Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv), which brought roughly 6 percent more heavyweight hogs to market in February than anticipated and produced 6.6 percent more pork.

Even though the U.S. West Coast dock workers’ dispute was settled last month, shipments of pork - the most exported U.S. meat - are still backed up there and competing with domestic product.

Furthermore, analysts have noted the strengthening dollar has so far this year made U.S. goods, including pork and beef, less attractive to foreign buyers.

USDA’s latest data showed pork exports for January at 347.7 million pounds, down 21.4 percent from a year ago. Beef shipments totaled 162.7 million pounds, a 19.3 percent drop from the year before.

“We expected January to be a difficult month, so these results are not especially surprising,” U.S. Meat Export Federation CEO Phil Seng said recently regarding the slowdown in exports.

U.S. PORK EXPORTS UP 10 PERCENT TO $6.67 BILLION IN 2014

For the fourth year in a row, U.S. pork exports eclipsed the $6 billion mark. In 2014, 4.803 billion bounds of pork and pork variety meats valued at $6.674 billion were exported, up 2 percent and 10 percent, respectively from 2013.

“We saw a dynamic environment for U.S. pork exports last year,” said Brian Zimmerman, chair of the Pork Checkoff’s Trade Committee and a Beatrice, Neb., producer. “Our strong global partnerships and rising demand across the globe for our product meant that despite record prices, we continued to see growing revenue from exports. However, our exporters dealt with many trials, as it was a highly competitive market.”

In 2014, 26.5 percent of U.S. pork and pork variety meat were exported, adding $62.45 per hog marketed. Strong pork variety meat demand around the world continues to increase exports and positively impact producer profitability. For every $1 million of pork variety meats exported, the live value of hogs is increased by $0.20 per cwt, according to a regression analysis conducted by Iowa State University.

NATIONAL PORK BOARD REPORTS SOLID CONSUMER DEMAND FOR PORK IN 2014

Five years after setting an aggressive goal of 10 percent growth in real per capita consumer

expenditures for pork, the National Pork Board announced it met that goal with total consumer expenditures growing 15.7 percent since 2009.

Pork expenditures - the product of total pork volume available in the U.S. multiplied by the average U.S. Department of Agriculture retail pork price - grew by 7.6 percent in 2014 from just the previous year.

“2014 was a fantastic year of growth for the pork industry. Overall, there was less pork to sell due to the impact of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED), a production virus. So growth in the second half of the year came largely from higher pork prices,” said Dale Norton, a Bronson, Mich., pig farmer and president of the National Pork Board. “Pork expenditures directly correlate to consumer demand. Despite record high prices, demand grew and was even higher than expected.” The inventory of both breeding herds and the stock of pigs bound for market increased.

As of year-end 2014, total U.S. pig inventory increased 2 percent to 66.1 million head over 2013, marking a solid rebound.

HOG PRICES EXPECTED TO BE LOWER FOR THIS YEAR

Consumers can expect to pay less for their bacon this year with pork prices forecast to be down 23 cents per pound, Purdue University agricultural economist Chris Hurt says.

As a result, however, pork producers are expected to see less profit per head.

Hurt noted that hog prices last year reached record highs, with the national live prices reaching $100 per live hundredweight - $4.22 per pound - because consumers feared that great shortages would result from the deadly porcine epidemic virus, or PEDv. The actual drop in production, however, was only 2 percent.

“The market adage ‘buy the rumor and sell the fact’ has played out once again,” Hurt said. “The inability to refute the rumors of massive death losses a year ago contributed to prices overshooting to the upside.”

The amount of pork produced in February was expected to be up by 3 percent, but ended up at 7 percent.

Hurt said the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s inventory count in its December estimate appears to have undercounted young pig numbers.

As of January, pork was at $3.99 per

pound. By the end of this year, it is estimated that pork supplies will be up an average of 6 percent to 7 percent.

The increase in pork supply mirrors other meats such as beef and chicken.

Hurt said prices might be down in meat industries this quarter because of the weak world economy and the slowdowns in the West Coast ports, which account for nearly half of all pork exports. Exports are expected to stabilize in coming weeks.

Hurt also said the costs of pork production are expected to be down this year, especially in soybeans.

Despite that, modest profit losses are anticipated in the first and fourth quarters of the year, resulting in an average year profit of about $8 per head, compared with last year’s average profit of $53.

Hurt advises pork producers to wait on expanding their farms until more information can be gathered this year.

FRESH PORK INFORMATION

The final data for 2014 showed retail prices of fresh pork as reported

by Freshlook Marketing were up 15% for December 2013 vs. December 2014. In December 2013 the weighted average price of all retail fresh pork was $2.37 per pound. Fresh pork prices topped out in October 2014 at $3.27 and closed out the year at $2.72 for December 2014.

As expected, beef showed the greatest price increase of all proteins up 20.8% for December 2014 compared to December 2013, while chicken prices only increased 3.7% over the same period. Given the expected increase in supply of both pork and chicken and the still limited availability of beef, 2015 prices are expected to decline for both pork and chicken and beef prices are set to increase.

PREPARING FOR THE “NEXT BIG THING”

The U.S. pork industry learned a hard lesson with Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus: Better preparation and protocols are needed to address a national disease outbreak expeditiously and effectively. While information between government officials, industry representatives, producers and veterinarians was shared openly, the lack of a cohesive preparedness strategy contributed to the rapid spread of the disease.

To help ensure a similar scenario doesn’t take place in the future, a working group on emerging diseases has been formed. The group is charged with identifying and ranking potential disease threats to the U.S. pork industry and will work on determining the tools necessary to: • Recognize an emerging clinical disease as early as possible • Use diagnostic detection • Determine virulence and viability • Understand effective disinfectants • Identify appropriate response to an emerging disease • Understand vaccine availability, whether or not a vaccine exists and if not, what research is needed to develop a vaccine • Understand virus transmission • Determine possible route of introduction into the country Using the Virus Matrix Exercise “The virus matrix exercise allows us to acknowledge and understand those viruses that are known to infect swine globally,” says Mark Engle, DVM, MS, who is involved in the working group and provided an overview of the group’s mission at the 2014 Leman Conference last fall. It’s a collaboration between the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV), the National Pork Board (NPB), the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The goal is to identify ways in which the various group can work together effectively during the next major disease outbreak.

Ranking the Threats Several factors are considered in determining which diseases present the most critical threats to the U.S. pork industry. According to Engle, primary consideration is given to a disease’s economic impact to the domestic market, its economic impact to exports; its risk of introduction or re-emergence in the United States, and its zoonotic capabilities.

While the order of the 43 diseases on the list could change overnight, the top eight viral infections, as ranked by the AASV swine health committee are Foot and Mouth Disease, African Swine Fever, Influenza A, Classical

Swine Fever, Pseudorabies, Swine Vesicular Disease, Vesicular Stomatitis Virus, and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Virus. Resource categories for those diseases will include diagnostics, epidemiology, viability, immunity, pathogenesis, traceability, biosecurity, detection and response and global distribution.

The list was developed before PEDv and the Ebola virus outbreaks. Engle feels both would be on the list if it were to be ordered today. “The gaps are in determining virulence and viability and understanding effective disinfectants,” he says, “and if there isn’t a vaccine, this is where the coordination comes in.”

Strengthening the Borders Dr. Liz Wagstrum, DVM, chief veterinarian for the National Pork Producers Council explains that USDA has been working on a pathways analysis as well as an investigation related to PEDv. “In listening to a presentation from USDA, there are mitigations being done in other countries,” she says. “They are looking for the outliers. The other effort with USDA involves going back to some of the first [PEDv-positive] farms that were identified in April or May of 2013 and look for commonalities that would help us understand where PED came from.”

Step One Completed Formation of the committee and identification of priorities are the first phase of the project, but much more work is yet to be completed.

“Solutions” to curtailing an emerging disease don’t exist at this point, but the key players are involved and they are highly motivated to keep the momentum.

“If we identify the diagnostic needs and we get the funding, there’s no doubt in my mind that we can get it done because we have the best diagnostic facilities in the world,” says Engle.

A “working group” meeting took place in Chicago last summer, and the outcomes were positive: Strengthen international surveillance, monitor published literature, support funding of collaborative international projects, investigate possible routes of Asian pathogens to North America, determine roles for dealing with emerging disease, increase involvement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, involve

producers and practitioners in the APHIS/VS partnership.

What’s Next The working group plans to produce a short white paper on each virus to identify gaps in our knowledge base, and establish a surveillance plan for emerging and international diseases. It will define the response roles of government and industry and identify diagnostic needs. It also will explore interactions with vaccine manufacturing partners to ensure the industry’s readiness is as advanced as possible.

Dr. Paul Sundberg, Vice President, Science and Technology at the National Pork Board, says, “We can’t expect USDA alone to respond quickly and efficiently to the ‘next PED’ in time to stop it. The pathway of disease introduction is difficult at best, and we need to be prepared for the next one to come because it is coming.”

Sundberg says preparedness involves detection, risk evaluation and subsequent interventions.

That preparedness is necessary for all industry segments, including producers, veterinarians, government officials and agri-business because ultimately, the industry needs to be responsible for managing production diseases.

PORK SAFETY REMAINS INDUSTRY’S TOP GOAL

When surveyed, U.S. consumers consistently rank food safety as the top concern when it comes to keeping their families healthy. What they may not realize, however, is that pork is very safe when making a protein choice for daily meals, according to a new report issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“According to the CDC report, pork is the safest meat choice a consumer can make,” said Dr. Steve Larsen, Pork Checkoff’s director of pork safety. “Our industry has an ongoing commitment to improving food safety from farm to fork. The procedures in place at the farm level, such as Pork Quality Assurance® Plus production practices, help to ensure farmers are working with their veterinarians to keep pigs healthy as they enter the food chain.”

In the new report, issued jointly with the CDC, USDA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, four main

food pathogens were reviewed and modeled for their impact on food safety. These included Salmonella, E. Coli (O157), Campylobacter and Listeria monocytogenes. Of these, Salmonella had the highest number of related foodborne illnesses in the past five years at 45 percent. Pork had the lowest incidence of Salmonellarelated illness among all meat or vegetable choices at only 8 percent.

“This report is based on the best and most recent data available,” Larsen said. “It clearly shows the strong overall safety profile pork has among all other food choices consumers have today, including vegetable-based meals. However, we’re committed to reducing foodborne pathogens even further through our dedication to continuous improvement.”

PRODUCER-ORIENTED PORK.ORG GOES MOBILE

Pork.org remains the go-to source for producers and others looking for everything from certification information to the latest research results on PEDV. But now with its new responsive design, visitors can easily view the site on all mobile and tablet devices.

“Pork.org has a clean, simple look and feel that is mobile and tablet friendly,” said Stephanie Holmes, web projects manager at the National Pork Board. “We’ve also focused on enhancing the search capabilities to make the site even more useful. Look for more improvements in 2015.”

The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through the Pork Checkoff, U.S. pork producers and importers pay $0.40 per $100 of value when pigs are sold and when pigs or pork products are brought into the United States. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and food service marketing, production improvement, technology, swine health, pork safety and environmental management.

For more information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Services at (800) 456-7675 or check the website at www.pork.org.

News from the

National Pork Producers Council

NPPC ON COOL LAW: U.S. MUST NEW GRASSROOTS DIRECTOR AVOID RETALIATION HIRED BY NPPC In congressional testimony March 25, the National Pork Producers Council said the United States must address its mandatory Country-ofOrigin Labeling (COOL) law to avoid trade retaliation from Canada and Mexico. The World Trade Organization (WTO) last fall ruled that the U.S. meat labeling law violates U.S. international trade obligations by discriminating against Canadian cattle and pigs and Mexican cattle. COOL requires meat to be labeled with the country where the animal from which it was derived was born, raised and slaughtered.

The United States appealed that decision, and the WTO is expected to rule on it by May 18. Should the international trade body reject the appeal, Canada and Mexico would be allowed to place retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports, including pork and beef.

“We cannot afford to have pork exports disrupted nor can workers in allied sectors,” NPPC President-elect John Weber, a pork producer from Dysart, Iowa, told the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture. “The loss of the Mexican and Canadian markets, valued at $2.4 billion, could cost over 16,000 non-farm jobs.”

While pork and beef almost certainly will be on the Canadian and Mexican retaliation lists, non-agricultural products also likely will be included.

Canada’s preliminary retaliation list included not only fresh pork and beef but bakery goods, rice, apples, wine, maple syrup and furniture.

“Because the damage to U.S. exports will be multiplied across our economy,” said Weber, “the economic effect will greatly exceed whatever retaliation is ultimately authorized by the WTO and will hurt many Americans who had nothing to do with implementing the COOL law. Not only will innocent bystanders be harmed, the economy as a whole will suffer. Congress must be prepared to repeal the offending parts of the statue to bring the U.S. into compliance with WTO rules,” said Weber. “Congress should not allow retaliation against pork producers and other sectors of the U.S. economy.”

Jeremy Davis has joined NPPC as director of grassroots, responsible for strengthening the organization’s network of pork producers willing to weigh in on important federal legislative and regulatory issues and for directing NPPC’s leadership programs: the Legislative Education Action Development Resource (LEADR) and the Pork Leadership Institute (PLI). Prior to joining NPPC, Davis spent two years as a district representative for Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, where he worked with constituent and outreach services.

Before that, he served as the federal legislative liaison for the Iowa College Student Aid Commission. In addition to his professional experience, Davis served as a member of the Ames, Iowa, City Council. He grew up on a family farm in eastern Iowa, where he was involved in 4-H and FFA activities.

Davis earned bachelors and masters degrees in Agricultural Education from Iowa State University.

NPPC AND 39 STATE PORK PRODUCER GROUPS URGE CONGRESS TO PASS TPA

NPPC and 39 state pork producer groups sent a letter early March to every member of Congress urging them to introduce and quickly pass Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).

Legislation for TPA was expected early in 2015, but Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., have not been able to come to an agreement on the language of the bill.

TPA, also known as “fast track,” is the law that authorizes the president to negotiate trade agreements, laying out specific objectives for the deals. TPA is important because it tells negotiating partners that Congress is monitoring the negotiations on the basis of those goals and that an agreement that fails to achieve the goals may not receive congressional approval. The passage of TPA will signal to U.S. trading partners that the United States is serious about completing trade negotiations, and having TPA in place will make countries involved in trade talks more

willing to bring their best offers to the table. As a result of trade agreements, U.S. pork exports have increased 1,550 percent in value and 1,268 percent in volume since 1989, the year the United States implemented the free trade agreement with Canada and started opening international markets for value-added agricultural products.

Pork producers and U.S. agriculture are dependent on export markets, and NPPC is putting its full weight behind getting TPA passed.

DAMAGE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM NEEDED TO ADDRESS FERAL SWINE

NPPC this week submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture on its proposal to deal with feral swine, pointing out that the wide distribution and increasing density of the feral swine population make them a threat for disease transmission in virtually every porkproducing state. They also could serve as a reservoir for trans-boundary diseases that may be introduced into the United States, said NPPC. The organization said an integrated Feral Swine Damage Management program provides the most logical approach to maximize resources through a cooperative program and addresses the feral swine problem nationwide.

COMMENT PERIOD ON DIETARY GUIDELINES REPORT EXTENDED

NPPC and other meat groups this week secured an extension of the comment period on recommendations for the new “Dietary Guidelines for Americans.” The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) in mid-February issued a 571-page report, recommending that people consume less red and processed meat. The Obama administrationappointed panel of health and nutrition professionals also omitted lean meat from its recommended

dietary pattern and concluded that a diet higher in plant-based and lower in animal-based foods would be more environmentally sustainable.

NPPC criticized the report and urged the secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services to reject the advisory committee’s recommendations related to meat when developing the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The original 45-day comment period was extended 30 days to May 8. NPPC will be submitting written comments on the DGAC report.

GROUPS REQUEST FUNDING FOR ANIMAL HEALTH, DISEASE, FOOD SAFETY PROGRAMS

NPPC recently joined dozens of other agricultural organizations in requesting $10 million for Section 1433 of the 2014 Farm Bill, “Continuing Animal Health and Disease, Food Security, and Stewardship Research, Education and Extension Programs.”

The Farm Bill expanded the programs to establish a new competitive research grants mechanism to address critical priorities in food security, one health and stewardship. In a March 17 letter to the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate and House Appropriations committees, the organizations pointed out that current funding by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to support the animal sciences is not proportionate with the economic contributions of animal agriculture. In requesting that $10 million for Section 1433 be included in the fiscal 2016 Agriculture Appropriations bill, the groups said it would be a “first step toward the goal of meeting the programs’ authorized level of $25 million.”

NPPC MEETS WITH KEY WEST COAST INFLUENCERS REGARDING THEIR PORTS

Representatives from some West Coast ports recently met with NPPC and other trade associations whose members were affected by the recent work slowdown at ports from San Diego to Seattle to assure them that steps are being taken to avoid a repeat of the situation, including improving efficiency, logistics and mechanization at the shipping

facilities. The work slowdown, which lasted from November 2014 until late February, was the result of a labor dispute between the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents companies that own West Coast ports, and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which represents dock workers. The contract between the groups expired last July; a new contact will be presented to the ILWU Caucus March 30 and to union workers in April for ratification. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Eugene Seroka, Port of Long Beach Executive Director Jon Slangerup and Rich Dines, vice president of the Board of Harbor Commissioners at the Port of Long Beach traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with representatives of various sectors affected by the ports slowdown. NPPC and other agricultural associations stressed the negative impact the slowdown had on their producers over the past several months and that a similar situations must be avoided to prevent damage to the U.S. economy and to maintain the U.S. positon with its trading partners.

The cost of the ports slowdown to the U.S. meat and poultry sectors was very conservatively estimated to be in excess of $40 million a week. The U.S. pork industry, which currently exports 27 percent of total production annually – with exports expected to continue to increase – is increasingly dependent on an efficiently functioning infrastructure, including the ports system.

FSIS EXPORT LIBRARY NOW UPDATED TO REFLECT NEW MARKET ACCESS IN CHILE

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and inspection Service (FSIS) Export library now has been updated to reflect new market access for chilled U.S. pork being exported to Chile. That nation has agreed to eliminate trichinae testing requirements on chilled U.S. pork based on a USDA certification that the pork originates from PQA Plus farms. (PQA Plus is an education and training program run by the National Pork Board that certifies that hog operations are meeting their commitments related to animal wellbeing, food safety, worker safety and

environmental protection.) NPPC worked closely with U.S. and Chilean officials for many years to eliminate the testing, which artificially raises the cost of selling chilled pork. The risk of getting trichinae from consuming U.S. pork is less than 1 in 300 million. Chile is one of the fastest growing markets in the world for U.S. pork exports since implementation of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 2004.

U.S. pork sales to Chile have surged from 41 metric tons in 2003, the year before the FTA went into effect, to more than 19,000 metric tons valued at more than $49 million in 2014, making it the second largest South American market after Colombia.

Based on analysis conducted by Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes, NPPC expects pork exports to Chile to grow even more now that the trichinae testing requirement has been eliminated.

BILL INTRODUCED TO PROTECT INTERSTATE COMMERCE

Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, introduced legislation that would prohibit a state from excluding lawfully produced agricultural products from other states from being sold within its borders.

The “Protect Interstate Commerce Act,” H.R. 687, is similar to a bill King offered last year as an amendment to the Farm Bill. It would prohibit states and local jurisdictions from interfering with the production and distribution of agricultural products in interstate or foreign commerce as was done by California on eggs from laying hens housed in so-called battery cages.

That state’s voters in 2008 approved Proposition 2 requiring California egg producers to house their hens in “enriched” cages. The California Legislature then adopted a law that applied Prop. 2 to eggs produced in other states but sold in the Golden State. The statute went into effect Jan. 1 and since then egg prices in the state have soared. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates the average price for a dozen jumbo eggs at $3.16 in California, up from $1.18 a year ago.

Nationally, the average price is about $2.11. NPPC, which opposed Prop. 2, which also outlawed gestation stalls for sows, supports King’s legislation.

SENATORS PUSH FOR PORK ACCESS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Senator Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, at a press briefing mid-March, raised the issue of South African agriculture protectionism in connection with the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which is set to expire this September. AGOA is a U.S. preferential trade program that provides beneficiary countries in SubSaharan Africa with duty-free access for certain products in the U.S. market.

“The largest beneficiary of AGOA is South Africa, with over $3.6 billion in exports to the U.S. Unfortunately, South Africa has blocked agriculture products like poultry and pork over the last several years for non-scientific reasons,” said Grassley. “To me that is unacceptable, considering AGOA is a non-reciprocal trade preference program.” In addition to Grassley, Sens.

Michael Bennett, D-Colo., Richard Burr, R-N.C., Al Franken, D-Minn., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Mark Warner, D-Va., have expressed concern about South Africa’s de facto ban on U.S. pork exports. South Africa blocks U.S. pork exports based on unscientific and unjustified food safety and animal health concerns. The United States is the world’s leading pork exporter, shipping pork to more than 100 nations each year, but South Africa is not one of them. This is particularly frustrating given that South Africa has opened its market to pork from competitors in Brazil, Canada and the European Union.

TPP NEGOTIATIONS HELD IN HAWAII

The latest round of negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership took place in Hawaii recently. The TPP is a regional trade negotiation among 12 Pacific Rim countries, including Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam and the United States, which account for nearly 40 percent of global GDP. With the exception of Japan, Vietnam offers the most potential for U.S. pork exports among the TPP nations. Pork consumption in Vietnam is 2 million metric tons per year, bigger than Mexico, the No. 1 volume market for U.S. pork. Pork already is the largest

U.S. agricultural export to Australia, but the United States currently is restricted to sending either processed pork or frozen, boneless pork for further processing to the country because of non-science-based barriers. Pork producers’ support for a final TPP Agreement is conditioned on the elimination in every TPP country of all tariff and non-tariff barriers to U.S. pork exports.

important and growing market, the United States remains on the outside looking in. The U.S. government and the U.S. pork industry have in recent years provided a wealth of information to the South African government demonstrating that U.S. pork is safe and wholesome. NPPC will continue to work closely with U.S. and South African officials.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with President Obama this month in D.C. The EU and US are negotiating the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), a free trade agreement that was kicked off in July 2013. Chancellor Merkel said in a joint news conference at the White House with President Obama that the conclusion of a US-EU free trade agreement ‘would go a long way toward boosting growth’ in Europe and promised that Germany would work hard to achieve that goal. Both leaders agreed that significant progress must be made this year. While the EU is willing to eliminate tariffs on nearly all goods, it announced publicly it was unwilling to eliminate them on beef, poultry and pork. It is also refusing to reconsider its stance on beef hormones and ractopamine.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported in its quarterly Hog and Pigs Report that the number of all hogs and pigs in the United States on Dec. 1, 2014, was 66.1 million head. That was up 2 percent from Dec. 1, 2013, and up 1 percent from Sept. 1, 2014. The breeding inventory was 5.97 million head, up 4 percent from last year and up 1 percent from the previous quarter.

TRANSATLANTIC TRADE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP

NPPC WORKING ON MARKET ACCESS IN SOUTH AFRICA

NPPC representatives last week met with South African officials visiting Washington, D.C., to press them on obtaining market access for U.S. pork. South Africa, a huge beneficiary of trade preferences under both the African Growth and Opportunity Act and the Generalized System of Preferences, protects its domestic pork industry through a web of non-science-based restrictions that operate as a de facto ban on U.S. pork. According to Dermot Hayes, an economist at Iowa State University, the United States has the potential to export $40 million of pork to South Africa each year. But currently, despite continued U.S. government efforts, the market remains closed. While key U.S. competitors such as Canada and the European Union have access to this

HOGS AND PIGS INVENTORY UP FOR LAST QUARTER OF 2014

NPPC WORKS FOR MARKET ACCESS IN INDIA

NPPC Vice President and Counsel for International Affairs Nick Giordano recently traveled to India to work with Indian and U.S. officials to obtain market access for U.S. pork. Currently, India imposes a large number of nontariff barriers that collectively operate as a de facto ban on U.S. pork. While India traditionally is not a significant meat-consuming nation, things there are changing rapidly. The economy is growing and the middle class is exploding. The opportunities for U.S. pork sales, particularly to the hotel, restaurant and institutional sector, are fantastic.

NPPC, SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS PRESS AUSTRALIA ON PORK ACCESS

NPPC Vice President and Counsel for International Affairs Nick Giordano traveled to Australia with scientific experts to press that country to drop its non-science-based restrictions on U.S. pork. While pork is the largest U.S. agricultural export to Australia, the United States currently is restricted to sending either processed pork or frozen, boneless pork for further processing. The United States is barred from selling pork at retail because

of non-tariff barriers based on two diseases: Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) and Postweaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS). The presence of these diseases in the United States does not constitute a valid scientific basis to restrict U.S. pork exports.

Australia and the United States are members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) – a regional trade agreement among 12 Asia-Pacific nations. Pork producers’ support for a final TPP agreement is conditioned on the elimination in every TPP country, including Australia, of all tariff and non-tariff barriers to U.S. pork exports.

EXTENDING ANIMAL WELFARE LAW TO RESEARCH ANIMALS PROBLEMATIC

Legislation backed by the Humane Society of the United States could prohibit valuable research related to raising and caring for livestock.

The “Animal Welfare in Agricultural Research Endeavors (AWARE) Act,” S. 388, sponsored by Sen. Corey Booker, D-N.J., and H.R. 746, sponsored

by Rep. Earl Blumenauer, R-Ore., would bring farm animals at federal research facilities under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) of 1966. That law requires animal dealers and research facilities to follow strict handling, care, treatment and transportation standards promulgated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Animals used in agricultural, production and research were exempted from the law. The “AWARE Act,” which was prompted by a New York Times article that detailed alleged animal abuse and neglect at a federal animal research center in Nebraska, would eliminate that exemption. NPPC is concerned that bringing research animals under the AWA would limit researchers ability to conduct research in a way that mirrors the conditions in which livestock are actually raised.

Strict controls on factors such as temperature, housing and handling that likely would be likely if agricultural research were brought under the AWA cannot replicate the real-world environment of farms and ranches.

USDA Agricultural Research Service programs already have safeguards in place to protect animal welfare.

NPPC also is urging lawmakers to put off action on research facilities until USDA completes a 60-day review of animal treatment at federal facilities in completed.

NPPC’S GIORDANO IN PANAMA AND COSTA RICA

NPPC Vice President and Counsel for International Affairs Nick Giordano traveled to Panama and Costa Rica where he met with pork importers, U.S. embassy officials and other privatesector leaders to increase cooperation between the U.S. pork industry and the two Central American economies.

Recent free trade agreements (FTAs) with Panama and Costa Rica have greatly increased the flow of U.S. pork into those markets. The bilateral U.S.Panama FTA entered into force in October 2011, and U.S. pork exports to Panama have increased 58 percent as a result. Costa Rica is part of a regional trade agreement called the CAFTA-DR, including the United States and five Central American countries.

The agreement entered into force in January 2009, and U.S. pork exports to Costa Rica have increased by 695 percent since that time. Central America is a rapidly growing market for U.S. pork exports, and NPPC will continue to collaborate with industry and government in the region to realize the full potential for U.S. pork exports to Central America.

NPPC’S HILL TESTIFIES AT HOUSE AG COMMITTEE HEARING ON IMPORTANCE OF TRADE

Dr. Howard Hill, a pork producer and veterinarian from Cambridge, Iowa, who is chairman of NPPC’s Trade Policy Committee, March 18 testified on behalf of NPPC before the House Agriculture Committee on the benefits of trade to agriculture. Hill stressed the importance of trade to U.S. pork producers and urged lawmakers to expeditiously approve Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). He noted that the United States ran a deficit in pork trade until it started negotiating Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

Because of trade agreements, the United States is now the top exporter of pork in the world, sending more pork to the 18 U.S. FTA partners than to the

rest of the world combined. NPPC also pointed out in its written statement that the 18 FTA nations collectively have a positive impact on the U.S. balance of trade. TPA legislation was expected to be introduced early in 2015, but Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., so far have not been able to come to an agreement on the language of the bill.

TPA defines U.S. negotiating objectives and priorities for trade agreements and establishes consultation and notification requirements for the president to follow throughout the negotiation process. Once trade negotiators finalize a deal, Congress gets to review it and vote yes or no – without amendments – on it. Congress has granted TPA to every president since 1974, with the most recent law being approved in August 2002 and expiring June 30, 2007. The key reason TPA is needed, Hill pointed out in his testimony, is for concluding the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations among the United States and 11 Pacific Rim countries. U.S. TPP partners will not get to their best and bottom line offer until Congress passes TPA. Hill cited Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes in saying that the potential TPP deal represented the most significant commercial opportunity ever for U.S. pork producers, generating more than 10,000 pork industry jobs.

The National Pork Producers Council conducts public-policy outreach on behalf of its 43 affiliated state associations, enhancing opportunities for the success of U.S. pork producers and other industry stakeholders by establishing the U.S. pork industry as a consistent and responsible supplier of high-quality pork to the domestic and world markets.

The Strategic Investment Program, is the primary source of funds for the National Pork Producers Council. By enrolling in SIP, you are assured a seat at the table when decisions are made regarding the future of the U.S. pork industry.

For more information or to join NPPC, visit WWW.NPPC.ORG

National Pork Industry Forum At the 2015 Pork Industry Forum, delegates from the National Pork Producers Council and Pork Act were tasked with providing direction on significant issues facing today’s pork producers and the industry. Held March 5-7 in San Antonio, Texas, the issues addressed by delegates ranged from export opportunities through the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to working with Congress on mandatory country-of-origin labeling, from utilizing social media to reach the next generation of producers and consumers to learning from PEDv to face the next emerging disease threat.

Special appearances were made by U.S. Trade Representative Chief Agricultural Negotiator Darci Vetter and reality star Chris Soules of “The Bachelor.” Soules was on hand to announce the National Pork Board’s newest award program, America’s Pig Farmer of the Year, for which he will be a celebrity judge. Soules also presented an iconic rose – a bacon rose – to each female member of the National Pork Board’s leadership. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack provided a tele-update from his office in Washington, where a significant snow storm prevented him from traveling to Texas for the event.

Pork Act Delegates Elect Candidate Slate, Approve Advisements At the meeting, Pork Act Delegates ranked nine candidates for the National Pork Board and submitted the list to the U.S. secretary of agriculture. The candidates are: David Newman, North Dakota; Patrick FitzSimmons, Minnesota; Carl Link, Ohio (second term incumbent); Bill Tentinger, Iowa; Gary Asay, Illinois; Kristine Scheller-Stewart, Missouri; Thomas Goodwin, Idaho; Michael Gruber, Texas and Ed Keller, New York.

The U.S. secretary of agriculture will select six members from the slate elected by the delegates to fill the roles of outgoing board members effective July 2015. Five of the nominees will serve a three-year term, and the sixth will complete a two-year term due to a recent departure. There are 15 pork producers on the board, each limited in serving no more than two terms.

Delegates also elected three members to the Nominating Committee, which recruits and screens candidates for the National Pork Board. Members of the Nominating Committee are not approved by the secretary. In other business, delegates approved two non-binding directives for the National Pork Board. The approved motions read: • Premises ID: The National Pork Board encourages all producers and veterinarians to work with their veterinary diagnostic laboratory service providers to adapt and use methods that electronically incorporate premises identification numbers into all of their diagnostic lab records to enhance the systems of traceability and animal health information management infrastructure necessary to support the 21st century U.S. pork industry.

• Transportation and Biosecurity: The Minnesota Pork Producers Association recommends that the National Pork Producers Council, National Pork Board and North American Meat Association cooperatively address issues around transportation and bio-security. Items to be addressed are as follows, but not limited to: • Trucking schedules and wait times • Truck unloading/animal handling • Biosecurity

NPPC ELECTS NEW OFFICERS, BOARD MEMBERS AT ANNUAL MEETING / TAKES ACTION NPPC Friday elected new officers and members to its board of directors at its annual business meeting at the National Pork Industry Forum. Elected as president of the organization was Dr. Ron Prestage, Camden, S.C.; Elected as president-elect was John Weber, Dysart, Iowa. Ken Maschhoff, a pork producer from Carlyle, Ill., was picked as vice president. New members elected to the board for three-year terms were Kraig Westerbeek, of Warsaw, N.C., and Dale Reicks, of New Hampton, Iowa. They join current directors Kent Bang, of Omaha, Neb. – the allied industry representative – Phil Borgic, of Nokomis, Ill., Jim Compart, of Nicollet, Minn.; Jim Heimerl, of Johnstown, Ohio, David Herring, of Lillington, N.C.; Bill Kessler, of Mexico, Mo., AV Roth, of Wauzeka, Wis.; and Terry Wolters, of Pipestone, Minn. (Heimerl and Kessler were re-elected to the board for another three-year term.) Elected for a two-year term as the Packer Processor Industry Council representative was Cory Bollum, with Hormel Foods Corp. in Austin, Minn.

Scott Hayes, of Monroe City, Mo., and Brandon Schafer, of Goodhue, Minn., were elected for two-year terms to the NPPC Nominating Committee.

The following action was taken by the NPPC Delegates at the 2015 National Pork Producers Council Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX

PUBLIC POLICY - PP PP#1 Motion: The National Pork Producers encourages all producers and veterinarians to work with their veterinary diagnostic laboratory service providers to adapt and use methods that electronically incorporate premises identification numbers into all of their diagnostic lab records to enhance the systems of traceability and animal health information management infrastructure necessary to support the 21st century US pork industry. MOTION: ADOPTED PP#2 Motion: The National Pork Producers Council supports the responsible use of antibiotics as a pork production tool and opposes further restrictions on the use of currently approved antibiotics. MOTION: ADOPTED PP#3 Motion: The National Pork Producers Council and

our trade representatives work with the US Congress to negotiate a World Trade Organization (WTO) legal solution to Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling COOL as soon as possible. MOTION: ADOPTED AS AMENDED PP#5 Motion: The National Pork Producers Council will carefully scrutinize, and follow with appropriate action, its membership in or support of any organization that takes public policy positions contrary to that of the National Pork Producers Council. MOTION: ADOPTED PP#6 Motion: The National Pork Producers Council may fund research as directed by the Delegates and/or Board of Directors, the NPPC general policy will be to defer Checkoff eligible research and related issues to the National Pork Board. MOTION: ADOPTED PP#7 Motion: The National Pork Producers Council urges the livestock marketing industry to investigate and work toward implementation of electronic fund transfer/ACH producer payment options for hog deliveries.

MOTION: ADOPTED

L to R: Mike Gruber, Dalhart and Corby Barrett, Perryton representing as Texas’ NPPC & Pork Act Delegates.

KEY MESSAGES FROM FORUM • Market Situation, bottom line on 2015 outlook 1. Pork’s 2015 export outlook by USDA is reduced 430 million pounds, or down 8.2% over 2014.

That equates to lowering trade expectations by a full percentage point.

2. This is a significant change considering that pork production in the US in 2015 is currently forecast to jump 5.5% compared to last year.

3. The combination of lower exports and higher production implies that an additional 1 billion pounds of pork (+5.5% more than a year ago) needs to be absorbed in the domestic market.

• The new strategic plan is focused on managing the changing world facing U.S. pork producers.

1. All of our efforts will be centered on doing what’s right for people, pigs and the planet.

2. It’s sharply focused on a vision for the future of America’s pork producers and defines in clear, customer-centered language a set of objectives focused on results.

3. The planning task force included pig farmers and representatives from allied industries, academia and the supply chain. Collaboration across the industry is critical to achieve the vision.

• Enhancing Animal Care – through the new Common Swine Industry Audit 1. Provide stakeholders with a consistent, reliable and verifiable system that assures onfarm animal well-being and pre-harvest food safety.

2. Eliminate duplication and minimize the administrative burden placed on producers 3. Develop consensus about consistent standards between and among various independent audit programs.

4. Create a standard process that results in observer consistency and protection of herd health through biosecurity protocols.

• America’s Pig Farmer of the YearSM – Recognizing the best in pig farming.

1. Designed to find the country’s best pork producer who not only excels in raising pigs using the We Care ethical principles, but who also wants to share how they do it with the American public.

2. Builds on many elements of the successful, nowretired Environmental Stewards award program.

3. Applications will be accepted from April 1 to May 15 at americaspigfarmer.com.

• National Pork Board Funds Swine Health Information Center 1. A $15 million investment will fund the center for five years.

2. The new, autonomous venture will focus its efforts on implementing industry prepare for disease challenges that could affect U.S. swine herds.

3. The center will be governed by a board consisting of representatives from the National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) and at-large producers.

4. The proposed new center will work toward recognizing and filling the resource and knowledge gaps that currently exist in swine disease diagnostics as they relate to emerging diseases.

• Real Per Capita Expenditures of Pork Continue to Grow 1. Annual real per capita expenditures grew 15.7 percent from 2009 to 2014.

2. Market research has been important to see what messages resonate with consumers.

3. The Pork Checkoff’s Pork Be Inspired integrated campaign, launched in 2011, has been vital to the success of the program.

4. Pork Champions, interested in cooking with pork in creative ways in the kitchen, grew from 27 percent in 2010 to 35 percent of households in 2014.

Will You Be the First?

On Texas pig farms large and small, our producers work hard every day to build consumer trust by raising pigs right to produce the best pork ever. Now one of you has a chance to represent our state and pig farmers everywhere by applying for the Pork Checkoff’s new America’s Pig Farmer of the YearSM award.

This prestigious honor will be awarded annually to a U.S. pork producer who excels at raising pigs using the We CareSM ethical principles, and who wants to share his or her story of farming with the American public.

“Consistent with the National Pork Board’s new strategic plan, we want to build consumer trust through on-farm transparency and accountability,” said Dale Norton, National Pork Board president and producer from Bronson, Mich. “The focus is on environmental sustainability, along with animal welfare, production efficiency, the adoption of best practices and a commitment to continuous improvement.”

Celebrity Judge To help build awareness and momentum for the new program and the We Care ethical principles at its core, the National Pork Board has teamed up with Iowa farmer and TV celebrity, Chris Soules. He also will serve as a judge to help select the eventual winner of the new award.

The public will be engaged during the final judging process via the Pork Checkoff’s social media outlets. Short video clips of the finalists will be displayed at americaspigfarmer.com, where people can vote for their favorite.

And the Winner Is… The winner will be announced in October during National Pork Month at a ceremony in a major U.S. city.

The winner will spend about 30 days total from Oct. 2015 to Sept. 2016 away from their farm telling their farm’s story and speaking out on behalf of America’s pork producers. The goal is to show consumers how responsible farmers do what’s right for People, Pigs and the Planet. The winner will receive a $15,000 honorarium to help compensate for those days away from the farm.

Apply Today All U.S. producers are welcome to apply April 1 to May 15. More details are available at americaspigfarmer.com. If you have questions or need help, please contact us at: 512-453-0615

NOW AVAILABLE ON FARMLAND is now Available at Walmart Stores Academy Award®-winning filmmaker James Moll’s feature-length documentary, FARMLAND, available at Walmart and Walmart.com. The availability of the documentary at retail locations across the country and online, provides another opportunity for viewers to experience the film, which offers a firsthand glimpse inside the world of farming by showcasing the lives of six young farmers and ranchers in their twenties.

FARMLAND premiered in theaters across the country in spring 2014 and now is available on hard disk for rent and purchase at Netflix, Amazon, select retail outlets and via On Demand platforms.

DVDs of FARMLAND will be for sale at select Walmart locations and on Walmart.com for $9.96. The documentary is also now available to rent on DVD from Netflix and to purchase on Amazon, with continued availability for rent and purchase via digital download on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Blockbuster On-Demand, Sony PlayStation, Vudu.com, Xbox and YouTube.

“We are thrilled at the ongoing distribution success of FARMLAND,” says Moll. “The availability of the film at retail locations and online will give even more people the opportunity to watch and experience the firsthand accounts from the film’s young farmers and ranchers.”

During its theatrical debut in 2014, FARMLAND was shown in more than 170 theaters across the country including Regal Cinemas, Marcus Theatres, Carmike Cinemas, Landmark Theatres, and many key independent theaters. The film was also featured at film festivals in Atlanta, Cleveland, Nashville and Newport Beach, Calif.

Produced by Moll’s Allentown Productions, FARMLAND was made with the generous support of the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance®. Check out the official trailer and more information about the feature length documentary at FARMLANDfilm.com and on Facebook.

About FARMLAND Many Americans have never stepped foot on a farm or ranch or even talked to the people who grow and raise the food we eat, yet are increasingly passionate about understanding where their food comes from. FARMLAND takes the viewer inside the world of farming for a firsthand glimpse into the lives of six young farmers and ranchers in their twenties. Through the personal stories of these farmers and ranchers, viewers learn about their high-risk/high-reward jobs and passion for a way of life that has been passed down from generation to generation, yet continues to evolve.

Special screening of FARMLAND at Texas Pork Industry Conference this summer!

Mark your calendar July 10 - 11, 2015

Donald B. Lawhorn Endowed Faculty Fellowship in Swine Medicine By contributing to the Donald B. Lawhorn Endowed Faculty Fellowship in Swine Medicine at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM), you can make a difference in the education of tomorrow’s veterinarians in the area of treating and managing pigs and feral hogs.

endowment was initiated to insure that faculty continued to expose veterinary students to swine medicine. Doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) graduates from the CVM proceed to careers in mixed and companion animal practices, industry, research, and regulatory medicine, all of which benefit from a working knowledge of swine medicine.

Our Objective

The Initiative There are approximately 48,000 show pigs raised in Texas every year. Several commercial operations have farms in the state that contribute to the industry. The USDA reports that there are over 500,000 market hogs in the state. Innumerable pet miniature pigs are kept and millions of feral swine roam the countryside.

Currently, veterinary medical students participate in lectures, laboratories, and extracurricular activities regarding pigs. The goal of this endowment is to support swine medicine educational opportunities for veterinary medical students. Student learning will be enhanced by endowment supported underwriting of swine industry speakers in lectures and meetings, travel to focused learning opportunities, and participation in scholastic activities that will benefit the swine industry.

Pork is the number one animal protein consumed in the world, providing a good balance of vitamins and nutrients. Feral swine contribute to income for sport ranches, damages to farms and pasture lands, and as potential reservoirs for diseases. Swine have become important models for research to improve human medicine.

Dr. Donald “Bruce” Lawhorn spent his career training veterinarians, veterinary students, and pig owners in swine medicine. After his retirement, this O.J. “Bubba” Woytek, DVM ‘65, Assistant Vice President of Development Chastity Carrigan, Senior Director of Development Guy A. Sheppard, DVM ‘78, Director of Development Development Office • Office of the Dean College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Texas A&M University • 4461 TAMU • College Station, TX 77843-4461 Tel. 979.845.9043 • Fax 979.862.3104 • vetmed.tamu.edu/giving/

Your Support Bringing swine specific experiences to students is increasingly difficult. The cost of providing and maintaining live animals for laboratory experiences is ever-increasing, yet the experience that students receive from hands-on interaction is irreplaceable. Maintaining the current program is essential.

And, expanding opportunities for students with a real interest in swine medicine is a necessary part of educating future veterinarians with the skills to help a diverse and ever-changing industry and world.

Making a Difference in Veterinary Medicine 50

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Mark Francis Fellows Private contributions provide the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences with the financial help required to maintain its vitality and to strengthen its national influence.

Giving

Being a Mark Francis Fellow

Although Texas A&M University is a state-assisted institution, it must rely on private contributions and support to maintain its excellence. When you have made one or more contributions totalling $1,000 to any of the development initiatives at the college, you become a Mark Francis Fellow. Fellows help meet needs in several fundamental areas including student scholarships and financial aid, equipment, public outreach, academic programs, research, and animal treatment.

Fellows comprise a select group of College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences advocates who find satisfaction in close involvement with a college whose achievements are immediate, tangible, and significant.

Major Areas of Support

Fellows are the leaders for voluntary giving and set the pace for other donors to the college.

• Enroll the most talented students, regardless of their financial status • Recruit and retain the very best scholars and teachers • Provide environmental and technological resources conducive to learning and research • Provide assistance to clients who may not otherwise be able to afford life-saving medical treatment for their pets • Enhance innovative programs, such as practitioner involvement in clinical research, education, technology, basic research, new initiatives in patient care, and new thrusts in continuing education

Membership Levels As Fellows continue to give to the college, they are recognized at the following levels: Basic ..................................................$1,000–$2,499 Maroon Level I .................................$2,500–$4,999 Maroon Level II ...............................$5,000–$9,999 Maroon Level III ..............................$10,000–$24,999 Diamond Level I ..............................$25,000–$49,999 Diamond Level II .............................$50,000–$99,999 Diamond Level III ............................$100,000 and over

Fellows are people who are concerned about Texas veterinary medicine—people who recognize that the college is in a unique position to make important advancements for animals and human beings through education, research, and service.

As a Mark Francis Fellow, your gifts will enable Texas A&M University to continue its long-standing tradition of making a difference in veterinary medicine.

About Dr. Mark Francis Dr. Mark Francis became the first professor of veterinary science at Texas A&M and was largely responsible for the establishment of the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1916. He served as the college’s first dean until his death in 1936.

Francis is fondly remembered for his pioneering efforts in the fight against the devastating Texas Tick Fever.

He helped organize the Texas veterinary profession in 1903 and became the first president of the newly formed state organization, which later became the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA).

O.J. “Bubba” Woytek, DVM ‘65, Assistant Vice President of Development Chastity Carrigan, Senior Director of Development Guy A. Sheppard, DVM ‘78, Director of Development Development Office • Office of the Dean College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Texas A&M University • 4461 TAMU • College Station, TX 77843-4461 Tel. 979.845.9043 • Fax 979.862.3104 • vetmed.tamu.edu/giving/

Making a Difference in Veterinary Medicine 51

PRODUCER CONNECTION

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TEXAS PORK PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION

2015 Advertising Rate & Specifications

The Producer Connection is a bi-monthly publication sent to active members of the Texas Pork Producers Association.

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BACK PAGE/ 2/3 PAGE HALF-PAGE HORIZONTAL THIRD-PAGE VERTICAL FOURTH-PAGE VERTICAL Bleed Size: 8.75”w x 7”h Bleed Size: 8.75”w x 5.5”h Trim Size: 2.75”w x 11”h Trim Size: 4.2”w x 5.4”h Trim Size: 8.5”w x 7”h Trim Size: 8.5”w x 5.5”h Changes in Certified Texas Bred Registry For 2013 Shows

Changes in Certified Texas Bred Registry For 2013 Shows

Changes in Certified Texas Bred Registry For 2013 Shows

The TPPA Board of Directors have adopted rule changes submitted by the Committee that oversees the Certified Texas Bred Registry. These new rules will impact producers participating in the CTBR program shows next year, including Fort Worth, San Angelo Barrow Show, Stars of Texas Gilt Show & Sale in San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston and the 2013 State Fair.

The TPPA Board of Directors have adopted rule changes submitted by the Committee that oversees the Certified Texas Bred Registry. These new rules will impact producers participating in the CTBR program shows next year, including Fort Worth, San Angelo Barrow Show, Stars of Texas Gilt Show & Sale in San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston and the 2013 State Fair.

The TPPA Board of Directors have adopted rule changes submitted by the Committee that oversees the Certified Texas Bred Registry. These new rules will impact producers participating in the CTBR program shows next year, including Fort Worth, San Angelo Barrow Show, Stars of Texas Gilt Show & Sale in San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston and the 2013 State Fair.

During the Texas Pork Industry Conference in San Angelo, CTBR Committee Chairman, David Kempen, explained the rule changes and the purpose for the changes. Kempen said that over the years, the CTBR program has provided thousands of 4-H & FFA students with additional premium money, prizes, awards and scholarships, provided by the hundreds of Texas breeders participating in CTBR. He said that these Texas breeders have been rewarded with significant recognition and increased market demand for their pigs. Kempen explained that all of this has been accomplished based on the last statement in the CTBR rules: “The validity of the Certified Texas Bred Registry is wholly dependent on the honesty and integrity of the breeders participating in the Registry and the reliability of pig registration.”

During the Texas Pork Industry Conference in San Angelo, CTBR Committee Chairman, David Kempen, explained the rule changes and the purpose for the changes. Kempen said that over the years, the CTBR program has provided thousands of 4-H & FFA students with additional premium money, prizes, awards and scholarships, provided by the hundreds of Texas breeders participating in CTBR. He said that these Texas breeders have been rewarded with significant recognition and increased market demand for their pigs. Kempen explained that all of this has been accomplished based on the last statement in the CTBR rules: “The validity of the Certified Texas Bred Registry is wholly dependent on the honesty and integrity of the breeders participating in the Registry and the reliability of pig registration.”

Kempen said that the integrity and honesty of a small number of breeders have come into question by the CTBR Committee and that they felt it important to provide some increased requirements for the CTBR program. They proposed the new rule changes that were adopted by the Board members on July 6, 2012. The most significant rule change is that producers will now have to provide TPPA with the number of litters farrowed at their farm and the ear notching system that they use for identifying their litters. (See CTBR rules in this issue and on the texaspork.org web site.)

Prior to October 1, 2012, producers that will want to purchase CTBR certificates for pigs showing in 2013 must

During the Texas Pork Industry Conference in San Angelo, CTBR Committee Chairman, David Kempen, explained the rule changes and the purpose for the changes. Kempen said that over the years, the CTBR program has provided thousands of 4-H & FFA students with additional premium money, prizes, awards and scholarships, provided by the hundreds of Texas breeders participating in CTBR. He said that these Texas breeders have been rewarded with significant recognition and increased market demand for their pigs.

Kempen explained that all of this has been accomplished based on the last statement in the CTBR rules: “The validity of the Certified Texas Bred Registry is wholly dependent on the honesty and integrity of the breeders participating in the Registry and the reliability of pig registration.”

Kempen said that the integrity and honesty of a small number of breeders have come into question by the CTBR Committee and that they felt it important to provide some increased requirements for the CTBR program. They proposed the new rule changes that were adopted by the Board members on July 6, 2012. The most significant rule change is that producers will now have to provide TPPA with the number of litters farrowed at their farm and the ear notching system that they use for identifying their litters. (See CTBR rules in this issue and on the texaspork.org web site.)

Prior to October 1, 2012, producers that will want to purchase CTBR certificates for pigs showing in 2013 must have submitted to TPPA a “CTB Litter Record”. A CTB Litter Record will be an official document to tell TPPA how many litters are farrowed at the farm and litter ear notches assigned to those litters. This will include an explanation of the litter notching system used by the producer. TPPA will strongly encourage breeders to notch litters in sequence starting with the litter “1” notch. However, if producers use a different sequence and numbering system they must provide an explanation of that system.

Kempen explained that most producers will be able to comply with this new requirement easily because they identify their litters in sequence each year starting with the litter “1” notch. He said that when looking through all of the CTBR pig registrations at the shows most producer’s litters can be followed with little effort. However, Kempen said that the Committee becomes very concerned when you know that a farm only farrowed 25 litters and most of their pigs have litter notches of 1 through 25, then a few have litter notches with 50’s or 80’s. He said that seems difficult to understand and puts into question the integrity of that breeders pig registrations. He and the CTBR Committee believe that the new “CTB Litter Record” will give them a better understanding of a breeders notching system and allow them to ef-

BUSINESS CARD Trim Size: 3.5”w x 2”h

Changes in Certified Texas Bred Registry For 2013 Shows

Changes in Certified Texas Bred Registry For 2013 Shows

The TPPA Board of Directors have adopted rule changes submitted by the Committee that oversees the Certified Texas Bred Registry. These new rules will impact producers participating in the CTBR program shows next year, including Fort Worth, San Angelo Barrow Show, Stars of Texas Gilt Show & Sale in San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston and the 2013 State Fair.

The TPPA Board of Directors have adopted rule changes submitted by the Committee that oversees the Certified Texas Bred Registry. These new rules will impact producers participating in the CTBR program shows next year, including Fort Worth, San Angelo Barrow Show, Stars of Texas Gilt Show & Sale in San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston and the 2013 State Fair.

During the Texas Pork Industry Conference in San Angelo, CTBR Committee Chairman, David Kempen, explained the rule changes and the purpose for the changes. Kempen said that over the years, the CTBR program has provided thousands of 4-H & FFA students with additional premium money, prizes, awards and scholarships, provided by the hundreds of Texas breeders participating in CTBR. He said that these Texas breeders have been rewarded with significant recognition and increased market demand for their pigs. Kempen explained that all of this has been accomplished based on the last statement in the CTBR rules: “The validity of the Certified Texas Bred Registry is wholly dependent on the honesty and integrity of the breeders participating in the Registry and the reliability of pig registration.”

During the Texas Pork Industry Conference in San Angelo, CTBR Committee Chairman, David Kempen, explained the rule changes and the purpose for the changes. Kempen said that over the years, the CTBR program has provided thousands of 4-H & FFA students with additional premium money, prizes, awards and scholarships, provided by the hundreds of Texas breeders participating in CTBR. He said that these Texas breeders have been rewarded with significant recognition and increased market demand for their pigs. Kempen explained that all of this has been accomplished based on the last statement in the CTBR rules: “The validity of the Certified Texas Bred Registry is wholly dependent on the honesty and integrity of the breeders participating in the Registry and the reliability of pig registration.”

Kempen said that the integrity and honesty of a small number of breeders have come into question by the CTBR Committee and that they felt it important to provide some increased requirements for the CTBR program. They proposed the new rule changes that were adopted by the Board members on July 6, 2012. The most significant rule change is that producers will now have to provide TPPA with the number of litters farrowed at their farm and the ear notching system that they use for identifying their litters. (See CTBR rules in this issue and on the texaspork.org web site.)

Kempen said that the integrity and honesty of a small number of breeders have come into question by the CTBR Committee and that they felt it important to provide some increased requirements for the CTBR program. They proposed the new rule changes that were adopted by the Board members on July 6, 2012. The most significant rule change is that producers will now have to provide TPPA with the number of litters farrowed at their farm and the ear notching system that they use for identifying their litters. (See CTBR rules in this issue and on the texaspork.org web site.)

Prior to October 1, 2012, producers that will want to purchase CTBR certificates for pigs showing in 2013 must have submitted to TPPA a “CTB Litter Record”. A CTB Litter Record will be an official document to tell TPPA how many litters are farrowed at the farm and litter ear notches assigned to those litters. This will include an explanation of the litter notching system used by the producer.

TPPA will strongly encourage breeders to notch litters in sequence starting with the litter “1” notch. However, if producers use a different sequence and numbering system they must provide an explanation of that system.

Prior to October 1, 2012, producers that will want to purchase CTBR certificates for pigs showing in 2013 must have submitted to TPPA a “CTB Litter Record”. A CTB Litter Record will be an official document to tell TPPA how many litters are farrowed at the farm and litter ear notches assigned to those litters. This will include an explanation of the litter notching system used by the producer. TPPA will strongly encourage breeders to notch litters in sequence starting with the litter “1” notch. However, if producers use a different sequence and numbering system they must provide an explanation of that system.

Kempen explained that most producers will be able to comply with this new requirement easily because they identify their litters in sequence each year starting with the litter “1” notch. He said that when looking through all of the CTBR pig registrations at the shows most producer’s litters can be followed with little effort. However, Kempen said that the Committee becomes very concerned when you know that a farm only farrowed 25 litters and most of their pigs have litter notches of 1 through 25, then a few have litter notches with 50’s or 80’s. He said that seems difficult to understand and puts into question the integrity of that breeders pig registrations. He and the CTBR Committee believe that the new “CTB Litter Record” will give them a better understanding of a breeders notching system and allow them to effectively visit with breeders about their pig registrations when necessary.

Kempen explained that most producers will be able to comply with this new requirement easily because they identify their litters in sequence each year starting with the litter “1” notch. He said that when looking through all of the CTBR pig registrations at the shows most producer’s litters can be followed with little effort. However, Kempen said that the Committee becomes very concerned when you know that a farm only farrowed 25 litters and most of their pigs have litter notches of 1 through 25, then a few have litter notches with 50’s or 80’s. He said that seems difficult to understand and puts into question the integrity of that breeders pig registrations. He and the CTBR Committee believe that the new “CTB Litter Record” will give them a better understanding of a breeders notching system and allow them to effectively visit with breeders about their pig registrations when necessary.

The CTBR Committee wants breeders to know that this year the October 1, 2012 deadline for submitting a CTB Litter Record in order to be allowed to purchased CTBR certificates is very firm with one small exception: if a breeder does not meet the deadline this first year of the new rule, they can still submit the CTB Litter Record but they will be charged a monetary fee to be eligible to participate in the CTBR program. (See CTBR Rules in this magazine and on the texaspork.org web site.)

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Publishing Schedule / Ad Deadlines February / March 2015 Stock Show In Full Swing

Advertising Due: January 15, 2015 Mail Date: February 1, 2015

April / May 2015

Spring Buyers Guide & Stock Show Results Advertising Due: March 15, 2015 Mail Date: April 10, 2015

Distribution: TPPA Members, All Texas Major Stock Shows, and various events throughout Texas.

Distribution: TPPA Members, Texas Ag Teacher, County Extension Agents, and various events throughout Texas.

June / July 2015

August / September 2015

Conference Information

Show Pig Sales & TPPA Event Wrap-ups

Advertising Due: May 15, 2015 Mail Date: June 1, 2015

Advertising Due: July 15, 2015 Mail Date: August 1, 2015

Distribution: TPPA Members, Texas Pork Industry Conference, summer shows, clinics, and various events throughout Texas.

Distribution: TPPA Members, Texas Ag Teachers, County Extension Agents, some pig sales and various events throughout Texas.

October / November 2015

December / January 2016

National Pork Month

Advertising Due: September 15, 2015 Mail Date: October 1, 2015

Distribution: TPPA Members, State Fair of Texas Livestock Show, some pig sales and various events throughout Texas.

Holiday Season

Advertising Due: November 15, 2015 Mail Date: December 1, 2015

Distribution: TPPA Members, some jackpot shows, clinics, and various events throughout Texas.

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Want more information or book your advertisement?

Cassidy Smith â&#x20AC;˘ 512-453-0615 â&#x20AC;˘ csmith@texaspork.org.

Texas Pork Producers Association P.O. Box 10168 Austin, Texas 78766 512-453-0615 www.texaspork.org

TEXAS PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION

CHAMPIONS STAND ALONE! Champion after champion, StandAlone is honored to be part of the journey that helps exhibitors reach their ultimate goal.

GRAND CHAMPION MARKET HOG 2015 National Western Stock Show Garrison Straka

RESERVE CHAMPION MIDDLEWEIGHT CROSSBRED MARKET HOG 2015 National Western Stock Show Banner Young

RESERVE CHAMPION MARKET HOG 2015 Fort Worth Stock Show Tyler Kelly

GRAND CHAMPION MARKET HOG 2015 San Antonio Stock Show Tyler Endicott

Visit our website to see all of our champions and to learn how you can stand alone!

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Title Sponsor: Lindner Feed & Milling, Inc.

Breeder Cap Sponsor: Pork Checkoff

Judge: Jayme Sieren Keota, IA CTBR Premiums: $2,700

Breed Champion Black OPB

To view complete results of all the shows visit www.texaspork.org

Breed Champion White OPB Black OPB

ClassPlace 1 6th 2 2nd 3 BREED CHAMPION

Duroc 6 7 8 9

3rd 7th 3rd 2nd

Hampshire 12 13 14 15 16

1st 1st 1st 4th 2nd

White OPB

19 20 21

2nd BREED CHAMPION RES. BREED CHAMPION

Yorkshire 24 25 26

6th RES. BREED CHAMPION 2nd

Crossbred 29 30 31 34 35 36 39 40 41

1st 3rd 4th 5th 5th 3rd 3rd 3rd 7th

Reserve Champion Yorkshire

Reserve Champion White OPB

Exhibited by Guthri Jenschlee Coby Glover Dax Teichelman

Club / Chapter Erath Co. 4-H Lazbuddie FFA Trent FFA

Breeder, Farm Name Stevie Rumfield, Pappys Pigs Todd Gregory, GO Genetics Lynn Hays & Mason Garner, Underdog Genetics

Hometown Early Lamesa Merkel

Haiden Thompson Klaire Irwin Jarrot Foote Shelby Mann

Roberts Co. 4-H Gruver FFA Seminole FFA Coryell Co. FFA

Danny Nusser, Nusser Livestock Weldon Walser, Walser Farms/Hot Rod Genetics Jason Foote, Foote Farms Brian & Jan Davis, 3D Show Pigs

Canyon Canadian Seminole Hico

Seth Bearden Jaxson Hoel Hannah Wurtz Geriet Lenz Kaitlyn Robinson

Foard Co. 4-H Frenship FFA Burkburnett FFA Hartley FFA Baird FFA

Ronnie Allen & Stacy Henry, BRS Hog Farm Rod Karlin, Karlin Livestock Dan Young, Young Livestock Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures, LLC. Burke, Cami & Kaitlyn Robinson, R4 Genetics

Crowell Gruver Burkburnett Dalhart Putnam

Calvin Spencer Tyler Endicott Lindsey Lamkin

Colorado City FFA Lubbock FFA Shallowater FFA

Milton Marrow, Marrow Farms Jay Winter, Wintex Farms Darren Haseloff, Darren Haseloff Farms

Levelland Lubbock Farwell

William Brown Georgia Bezner Blake Cumbie

Ropes FFA Kevin Methvin, Methvin Hog Farm Dallam- Hartley Co. 4-H Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Sweetwater FFA Todd Gregory, GO Genetics

Levelland Amarillo Lamesa

Carlye Cook Brandon Garcia Wade Appleton Walker Wyatt Kaylee Martin Wyatt Geisweidt Sadie Boyles Faith Geisweidt Derek Wheeler

Bowie Austin FFA Denver City FFA McCulloch Co. 4-H Frenship FFA Nolan Co. 4-H Fredericksburg FFA Randall Co. 4-H Fredericksburg FFA Swisher Co. 4-H

Kyle Midland Amarillo New Braunfels Garden City Fredericksburg Burkburnett Fredericksburg Jacksboro

J.P. Jansen, Jansen Show Pigs Lyndsei McBryde, McBryde Farms Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Rory Duelm, Duelm Farms Doug Schaefer, Schaefer Livestock Wyatt & Faith Geisweidt, WF Genetics Dan Young, Young Livestock Wyatt & Faith Geisweidt, WF Genetics Kevin Thomas, Thomas Showpigs

Supreme Champion

Reserve Supreme Champion

Champion Crossbred

Champion Purebred

Judge: Mike Fischer Iowa Park, TX & Levi Canales Amarillo, TX Supreme Champion Sponsored by: DL Show Pigs, Josh Krohn Champion Crossbred Sponsored by: Duelm’s Prevailing Genetics, Rory Duelm

Res. Supreme Champion Sponsored by: Harman Farms,Wayne & Leslie Harman Champion Purebred Sponsored by: Real Hog Farm, Chuck Real

Reserve Champion Purebred

Reserve Champion Crossbred

Nearly Sale t l i G 0 0 $2,6 !

Average Res. Champion Crossbred Sponsored by: McCleery Family Durocs, Cody McCleery

Res. Champion Purebred Sponsored by: Peugh’s Show Pigs, Cody Peugh Crossbred Class 1 Place 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

Exhibited by Madison Swearinginn Edy Brainard Trey Matschek Markus Jernigan Colton Redding Megan Widmer

Club / Chapter Fort Elliot FFA Hemphill Co. 4-H Ballinger FFA Hamlin FFA Jackboro FFA Vista Ridge FFA

Breeder, Farm Name Mike Clay, Clay Farms Shane & Tatum Swenhaugen, Rival Genetics Cody Peterson, Peterson Showpigs Lance Horsford, Horsford Show Pigs Tanna Moeller, BLT Swine Jackson Allen, Jackson Allen Livestock

Hometown White Deer Canadian Ballinger Stratford Haskell Cedar Park

Sale Price $1,100 $4,250

Crossbred Class 2 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

Raney Hodges Sonny Bohannon Edy Brainard Briley Clinton

Honey Grove FFA Collingsworth Co. 4-H Hemphill Co. 4-H Ballinger FFA

Blayne Hodges, Hodges Show Pigs Alabama Bohannon, Bama Show Pigs Shane & Tatum Swenhaugen, Rival Genetics Matt & Curry Allen, Allen Farms

Sumner Wellington Canadian Ovalo

$600

Crossbred Class 3 RES. BREED CHAMPION RES. DIVISION CHAMPION 3rd 4th 5th 6th

Callie Odom Masen Sargent Raney Hodges Stockton Blount Charles West Tyler Davis

Post FFA West Texas FFA Honey Grove FFA Potter Co. 4-H Wall FFA Liberty Hill FFA

Devin Blanton Jimmy Maddox, MTM Genetics Blayne Hodges, Hodges Show Pigs Chris & Tiffany Blount, High Plains Genetics Milton Marrow, Marrow Farms Kevin Thomas, Thomas Showpigs

Ransom Canyon $3,250 Briscoe $2,000 Sumner Wildorado Levelland Jacksboro

Crossbred Class 4 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

Mackenlee Evans Raney Hodges Brandon Ruiz Reagan Helms

Idalou FFA Honey Grove FFA Post FFA Runnels Co. 4-H

Cory Rains, Rains Livestock Jacob Holland, PH Genetics Jimmy Hayes, HF Genetics Schwertner, Bryd, Helms

Roscoe Blue Ridge Port Lavaca Miles

$800 $1,250

Crossbred Class 5 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

Sklar Mitchell Landen Ibarra Jacob Jenschke Rebekah Wagner Cayden Collier Madi McKay

Pleasanton FFA Glen Rose FFA Gillespie Co. 4-H Poteet FFA Ballinger FFA Plainview FFA

Kenneth & Caroline Kensing, K&C Farms Burke, Cami & Kaitlyn Robinson, R4 Genetics Kerby Knaupp, Knaupp Show Pigs, Inc. Cliff Berger, Berger Farms Bobby Carroll, Carroll Farms Maci & Madi McKay, McKay Show Pigs

Fredericksburg $3,000 Putnam $1,200 Fredericksburg Giddings Lampasas Plainview

Crossbred Class 6 DIVISION CHAMPION 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

Kallie Childress Taylor Heiser Lane Whitesell Bristan Lowrey Lane Whitesell Kenna Childress

Dallam-Hartley Co. 4-H Dallam-Hartley Co. 4-H Eldorado FFA Idalou FFA Eldorado FFA Wheeler Co. 4-H

Lance Horsford, Horsford Show Pigs Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures, LLC. Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Devin Blanton Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Jimmy Maddox, MTM Genetics

Stratford $4,000 Dalhart $1,250 Amarillo $1,400 Ransom Canyon Amarillo Briscoe

Crossbred Class 7 RES. DIVISION CHAMPION 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th

Tanner Walls Wade Appleton Tommy Mitchell Justin Glass Reed Seidenberger Shane Halfmann Cashion Klipfel

Graham FFA McCulloch Co. 4-H Pleasanton FFA Reagan Co. 4-H Glasscock Co. 4-H Wall FFA Glen Rose FFA

Kevin Thomas, Thomas Showpigs Todd & Moriah Beyers Marcus Gerngross, Gerngross Livestock Levi Canales, LC Genetics & Co. Brandon & Ethan Biggs Livestock Clint Halfmann, West Texas Gentics Burke, Cami & Kaitlyn Robinson, R4 Genetics

Jacksboro Abernathy San Angelo Amarillo Plainview San Angelo Putnam

$3,250 $2,250

Crossbred Class 8 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th

Kaitlyn Robinson Maleea Harper Baeley Allerkamp Sterling Skinner Kayla Evans Kallie Childress Caleb Crago Jenna Battle

Baird FFA Lamb Co. 4-H Comfort FFA Plainview FFA Bandera Co. 4-H Dallam-Hartley Co. 4-H Graham FFA Ballinger FFA

Burke, Cami & Kaitlyn Robinson, R4 Genetics Brandon & Ethan Biggs Livestock Lance Allerkamp, L&J Stock Farms Brandon & Ethan Biggs Livestock Luke Lindner Lance Horsford, Horsford Show Pigs Matt & Curry Allen, Allen Farms Kevin Thomas, Thomas Showpigs

Putnam Plainview Comfort Plainview Comfort Stratford Ovalo Jacksboro

$3,250 $1,500 $6,000

Crossbred Class 9 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th

Kamlynn Thomas Reese Rogers Sage Lovelace Watts Jones Tatum Meadows Sir Jones Kade Winnings

Jacksboro FFA Littlefield FFA Plains FFA Bangs FFA Fort Elliot FFA Bangs FFA Dalhart FFA

Kevin Thomas, Thomas Showpigs Rick & Niki Whitman, RW Genetics Matt & Curry Allen, Allen Farms Leon Freeman, Freeman Showpigs Mike Clay, Clay Farms Peyton Johnson, Johnson Show Pigs Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures, LLC.

Jacksboro Anderson Ovalo Lohn White Deer Early Dalhart

$9,500 $1,000 $600 $3,500

Crossbred Class 10 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th

Alexa Daniel Justin Glass Steely Lott Michael Clark Kaitlyn Robinson Avery Esser Wade Appleton Dakota Anderson Cassidy Andis

Electra FFA Reagan Co. 4-H Comfort FFA Hartley FFA Baird FFA Kendall Co. 4-H McCulloch Co. 4-H Crawford FFA Wheeler FFA

Rick & Niki Whitman, RW Genetics Douglas Schaefer, Schaefer Livestock Lance Allerkamp, L&J Stock Farms Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures, LLC. Burke, Cami & Kaitlyn Robinson, R4 Genetics David Esser, Esser Show Pigs Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Brad Mund, Mund Livestock Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms

Anderson Garden City Comfort Dalhart Putnam Kendalia Amarillo Wall Amarillo

$4,500 $4,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,750

Crossbred Class 11 RES. DIVISION CHAMPION 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th

Wyatt Geistweidt Mason Reed Mackenzi Miller Collin Dacus Alexandra Ely Aaron Metcalf Dakota Anderson Israel Guerre Kalley Kirk

Fredericksburg FFA Potter Co. 4-H Dickens Co. 4-H Montgomery Co. 4-H Comfort FFA Reagan Co. 4-H Crawford FFA Southland FFA Lipscomb Co. 4-H

Wyatt & Faith Geistweidt, WF Genetics Chris Fischbacher, Fischbacher Showpigs Jason Miller, MVB Genetics Terry Pool, Pool Show Pigs Charles Ely & Chris Hohmann, C-C Show Pigs Douglas Schaefer, Schaefer Livestock Jim & Beverly Cogburn, C-4 Show Pigs Tarleton State University Dan & Ragen Reed, Reed Livestock

Fredericksburg Wildorado Sunray Splendora Sisterdale Garden City Colorado City Stephenville Krum

$20,000 $2,000 $4,000 $3,400 $2,250 $3,500 $1,500

Crossbred Class 12 SUPREME CHAMPION 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th

Bobbi Leitha Shalin Lawson Masey Tongate Kena Williams Maclinta Alaniz Brooke Shobert Kaylee Leonard Steely Lott Kinsey Rush

Center Point FFA Hale Co. 4-H Bangs FFA Granbury FFA Lometa FFA Spur FFA Navasota FFA Comfort FFA McLennan Co. 4-H

Luke Lindner Wayne & Leslie Harman, Harman Farms Stan Tyson, Tyson Farms Tarleton State University Clint Halfmann, West Texas Genetics Shane & Brooke Shobert, Red Raider Genetics Ricky Schroeder, Schroeder Genetics Lance Allerkamp, L&J Stock Farms Ben & Tricia Rush

Comfort Perryton Early Stephenville San Angelo Spur Anderson Comfort Mart

$2,500 $1,250 $2,900 $1,500 $2,300

Champion Landrace Landrace Class 1 BREED CHAMPION RES. BREED CHAMPION 3rd 4th 5th 6th

Poland Class 1 RES. BREED CHAMPION 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Poland Class 2 BREED CHAMPION 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Hampshire Class 1 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Hampshire Class 2 RES. SUPREME CHAMPION RES. BREED CHAMPION 3rd 4th 5th

Austin O’Neal Tyler Miller M’Keison Guerrero Tyler Miller MacKenzi Miller Kwinn Burrow

Manor FFA Sunray FFA Southland FFA Sunray FFA Dickens Co. 4-H Gillespie Co. 4-H

Champion Poland

Reserve Champion Landrace Scott Heffernan Jason Miller, MVB Genetics Jace Francis, Francis Farms Jason Miller, MVB Genetics Jason Miller, MVB Genetics Larry Langbein, Sister Creek Farm

Poteet Sunray Silverton Sunray Sunray Boerne

$2,700 $800

Reserve Champion Poland

Tommy Thompson Mackenlee Evans Cassie Bennett David Barnes Samantha Gamble

Caprock FFA Idalou FFA Midland Co. 4-H Seminole FFA Briscoe Co. 4-H

Cory Swinford, Triple Creek Show Hogs Cory Rains, Rains Livestock Wayne & Leslie Harman, Harman Farms Robbie Harkey, Harkey Farms Devon Harman, Double Heart Hogs

Borger $500 Roscoe Perryton Hale Center Happy

Dakota Hankins Mason DuBois Briana Foote Harlie Garcia Luke Bohnert

Hico FFA Troy FFA Seminole FFA Plainview FFA Kendall Co. 4-H

Cole Reeves, Reeves Livestock Michael & Mason Dubois, 4M Show Pigs Jason Foote, Foote Farms Robbie Harkey, Harkey Farms Michael & Mason Dubois, 4M Show Pigs

Hico $5,500 Troy $650 Seminole Hale Center Troy

Champion Hampshire

Reserve Champion Hampshire

Peyton Wood Tristan Yant Jessica Fischbacher M’Keison Guerrero

Florence FFA Irion Co. 4-H Moore Co. 4-H Southland FFA

Timbo Tatsch, Tatsch Show Pigs Doug Tounget, Tounget Farms Chris Fischbacher, Fischbacher Showpigs Kenny Campbell, Campbell Farm

Yancey Bronte Wildorado Hale Center

$1,000

Payton Ralston Coleman Morrison Parker Ralston Robert Nixon Cash Manhart

Dallam-Hartley Co. 4-H Tolar FFA Dallam-Hartley Co. 4-H Floyd Co. 4-H Pampa FFA

Seth Ralston, Ralston Hog Farm Coleman Morrison Seth Ralston, Ralston Hog Farm Gary & Robin Nixon, Nixon Family Farms Mel Manhart

Dalhart Tolar Dalhart Floydada Pampa

$2,000 $1,750 $3,250

Duroc Class 1 BREED CHAMPION 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th Duroc Class 2 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th Duroc Class 3 RES. BREED CHAMPION 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th

Champion Duroc

Reserve Champion Duroc

Jarrot Foote Autumn Hagen Reagan Helms Lili Appleton Kale Kirk Courtney Williams Courtney Williams

Seminole FFA Pleasanton FFA Runnels Co. 4-H McCulloch Co. 4-H Lipscomb Co. 4-H Randall Co. 4-H Randall Co. 4-H

Jason Foote, Foote Farms Scott Heffernan Schwertner, Byrd, Helms Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Bryan Kirk, 4-K Showpigs Levi Canales, LC Genetics & Co. Levi Canales, LC Genetics & Co.

Seminole Poteet Miles Amarillo Darrouzett Amarillo Amarillo

$6,500

Jillian Jones Reagan Helms Curstin Haiduk Kayle Coffman Kirby Nixon Lili Appleton Kellan Quarles

Lipscomb Co. 4-H Runnels Co. 4-H White Deer FFA Fort Elliot FFA Floyd Co. 4-H McCulloch Co. 4-H Fort Elliot FFA

Jack L. Swain, Jr. D.V.M, Swain Farms Schwertner, Byrd, Helms Brad Haiduk, 3C Show Pigs Rod Karlin, Karlin Livestock Gary & Robin Nixon, Nixon Family Farms Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Wayne & Leslie Harman, Harman Farms

Stratford Miles White Deer Gruver Floydada Amarillo Perryton

$1,500 $1,750 $500

Austin O’Neal Elise Countess Jess Gonzales Callie Odom Jayton Key-West Aubrey Countess Christian Sanchez

Manor FFA Wall FFA Eldorado FFA Post FFA Wall FFA Wall FFA Southland FFA

Scott Heffernan Doug Tounget, Tounget Farms Clarence Schaefer, Jr., Schaefer’s Pigs Devin Blanton Rick & Niki Whitman, RW Genetics Doug Tounget, Tounget Farms Randy Hathorn, Hathorn Farms

Poteet $1,000 Bronte $2,000 Rowena Ransom Canyon Anderson Bronte Shallowater

Champion Spot

Reserve Champion Spot

Spot Class 1 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Spot Class 2 BREED CHAMPION 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

Kyzar Meyer William Hutchinson Christopher Cabler Tye Gerngross Makailey Brock

Harper FFA Cottle Co. 4-H Hedley FFA Wall FFA Tom Green Co. 4-H

Clint Halfmann, West Texas Genetics Sawyer Thompson, Triangle T Farms Chris Cabler, Rafter C Show Pigs Marcus Gerngross, Gerngross Livestock Derek Creed, Creed Show Pigs

San Angelo $3,500 Paducah $250 Memphis San Angelo Sweetwater

Mikaela Loerwald Kaylee Humphrey Lynzie Day Andrew Haynes Kollier Miller Dakota Roysdon

Florence FFA Meadow FFA Comanche FFA Wilbarger Co. FFA Dickens Co. 4-H Abilene Wylie FFA

Cory Rains, Rains Livestock Wayne & Leslie Harman, Harman Farms Landrie Day, Triple Creek Show Hogs Benny Mote, Mote Farms Mike Parsons, EZ Farms & IBEX Genetics Blake & Sherry Berry, B/S Showpigs

Roscoe Perryton Comanche Tulia Albany Abilene

$3,250 $2,500 $550 $2,500

Spot Class 3 RES. BREED CHAMPION 2nd 3rd 4th

Owen Seidenberger Kadyn Ellis Brianna Andrews Jolie Bowers

Glasscock Co. 4-H Midland Co. 4-H Blanket FFA Dallam-Hartley Co. 4-H

Jay Winter, Wintex Farms Levi Canales, LC Genetics & Co. Lynn Hays & Mason Garner, Underdog Genetics Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures LLC.

Lubbock Amarillo Merkel Dalhart

$800 $1,600 $2,000 $1,000

Champion Berkshire

Reserve Champion Berkshire

Berkshire Class 1 BREED CHAMPION 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th Berkshire Class 2 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Sarah Jones Mariah Jimenez Madison Thompson Trent Helms Jessica Fischbacher Bayleigh Smith Kallen McIlvain Owen Seidenberger

Porter FFA Dublin FFA Caprock FFA Runnels Co. 4-H Moore Co. 4-H Burleson FFA DeLeon FFA Glasscock Co. 4-H

Jones & Bennett Berks Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures, LLC. Kevin Howell Hogs Russell Kneese, Kneese Show Pigs Chris Fischbacher, Fischbacher Showpigs Greg Stansell, Stansell Showpigs Matt & Kaleb Nowlin Schwertner, Bryd, Helms

Conroe $6,000 Dalhart White Deer Fredericksburg Wildorado Fluvanna Gorman Miles

John Davis Tate DeBord Molly Manhart Emma Braden Katyly Clift

Florence FFA Sunray FFA Pampa FFA Wall FFA Stratford FFA

Kenneth & Caroline Kensing, K&C Farms Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures, LLC. Mel Manhart Kenneth & Caroline Kensing, K&C Farms Jack L. Swain, D.V.M., Swain Farms

Fredericksburg $1,000 Dalhart $1,300 Pampa Fredericksburg Stratford

Berkshire Class 3 RES. BREED CHAMPION 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th

Michael Clark Callie Odom Stetson Lewis John Sorrell Jessica Fischbacher Jessie Jones Emory Geye

Hartley FFA Post FFA Roosevelt FFA Fort Elliot FFA Moore Co. 4-H Moore Co. 4-H Rising Star FFA

Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures, LLC. Devin Blanton Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures, LLC. Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures, LLC. Kaleb & Kenny Street, S & R Showpigs Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures, LLC. Jones & Bennett Berks

Dalhart $3,500 Ransom Canyon Dalhart Dalhart Dumas Dalhart Conroe

Yorkshire Class 1 RES. CHAMPION PUREBRED RES. BREED CHAMPION 3rd 4th 5th 6th

Champion Yorkshire

Reserve Champion Yorkshire

Joshua Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor Jaxon Reed Alexandra Ely Berkley Warren Zoe Ely Morgan Baethge

Levelland FFA Potter Co. 4-H Comfort FFA Community FFA Kendall Co. 4-H Harper FFA

Kevin Methvin, Methvin Hog Farm Chris Fischbacher, Fischbacher Showpigs Charles Ely & Chris Hohmann, C-C Show Pigs Willard Hill, Hill Show Pigs Charles Ely & Chris Hohmann, C-C Show Pigs Greg Baethge

Levelland Wildorado Sisterdale Nevada Sisterdale Harper

$2,250 $2,000

Yorkshire Class 2 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Kellan Quarles Cory Hamilton Kellan Quarles Molly Manhart Tate DeBord

Fort Elliot FFA Southland FFA Fort Elliot FFA Pampa FFA Sunray FFA

Chris Fischbacher, Fischbacher Showpigs Devin Blanton Chris Fischbacher, Fischbacher Showpigs Mike Clay, Clay Farms Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures LLC.

Wildorado Ransom Canyon Wildorado White Deer Dalhart

$1,250 $800 $2,200 $4,500

Yorkshire Class 3 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

Eliza Cope Meghan Clancy Megan Lacy Brenna Lewis Destry Morgan Blake Mills

Mason Co. 4-H Caney Creek FFA Shamrock FFA Roosevelt FFA Shamrock FFA Center Point FFA

Clint Halfmann, West Texas Genetics Jones & Bennett Berks Greg & Charles Slough, GNC Genetics Jay Winter, Wintex Farms Greg & Charles Slough, GNC Genetics Clint Halfmann, West Texas Gentics

San Angelo Conroe Gruver Lubbock Gruver San Angelo

$5,000 $250 $250 $500

Champion Chester White

Reserve Champion Chester White

Chester White Class 1 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th Chester White Class 2 BREED CHAMPION RES. BREED CHAMPION

Carson Kelso Cambri Kelso Trey Halfmann Lili Appleton Claire Roane Holden Guest Zoe Ely Colt Pelfery Conner Schwartz

Bronte FFA Bronte FFA Wall FFA McCulloch Co. 4-H Pleasanton FFA Wheeler FFA Kendall Co. 4-H White Deer FFA Miles FFA

Ryan Duncan Zachary Weishuhn

Brown Co. 4-H Wall FFA

3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th

Parker Ralston Mikaela Loerwald Caleb Ferguson Marty Weishuhn Kyzar Meyer

Chester White Class 3 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th

Bryce Reese Tyler Miller Michael Clark John Davis Jaden Nadeau Alexi Paris Jacob Jenschke Hillary Yant

Doug Tounget, Tounget Farms Doug Tounget, Tounget Farms Clint Halfmann, West Texas Genetics Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Scott HeďŹ&#x20AC;ernan Jason Miller, MVB Gentics Charles Ely & Chris Hohmann, C-C Show Pigs Kevin Howell Hogs Clint Halfmann, West Texas Genetics

Bronte Bronte San Angelo Amarillo Poteet Sunray Sisterdale White Deer San Angelo

Gary Dutton, Double D Durocs Jacob, Marty & Zachary Weishuhn, Weishuhn Brothers Dallam-Hartley Co. 4-H Seth Ralston, Ralston Hog Farm Florence FFA Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Sunray FFA Lance Horsford, Horsford Show Pigs Wall FFA Clint Halfmann, West Texas Genetics Harper FFA Jacob, Marty & Zachary Weishuhn, Weishuhn Brothers

Gorman San Angelo

Hale Co. 4-H Sunray FFA Hartley FFA Florence FFA Llano Co. 4-H Dallam-Hartley Co. 4-H Gillespie Co. 4-H Irion Co. 4-H

Abernathy $3,500 Sunray Dalhart Amarillo Fredericksburg Dalhart Fredericksburg Bronte

Todd & Moriah Beyers Jason Miller, MVB Genetics Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures, LLC. Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Kerby Knaupp, Knaupp Show Pigs, Inc. Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures, LLC. Kerby Knaupp, Knaupp Show Pigs, Inc. Doug Tounget, Tounget Farms

$1,000 $4,250

Dalhart Amarillo Stratford San Angelo San Angelo

2015 Texas Pork Producers Association Certified Texas Bred Registry Foundation Gilt A Special Thanks

Weldon & Rodney Walser of Walser Farms & Hot Rod Genetics for sponsoring the 2015 TPPA/CTBR Foundation Gilt

Purchased by Jimmy Maddox, MTM Genetics in Briscoe, Texas for $6,000.

All proceeds fund a scholarship program for Texas FFA and 4-H youth that exhibit CTBR Barrows and Gilts.

Judge: Brandon Yantis Piper City, IL CTBR Premiums: $8,664 Grand Champion Class 5 Hampshire

Reserve Grand Champion Class 19 Crossbred

Grand Champion Sponsored by: ADM MoorMan’s ShowTec Hampshire Champion Hampshire Buckle Sponsored by: Belew & Young Class Place Exhibited by Club / Chapter 1 1st Morgan Munoz Colorado FFA 2 1st Molly Fluhman Dallam-Hartley Co. 4-H 3 RES. BREED CHAMPION Jayton Benavidez Milam Co. 4-H 4 1st Dereck Wheeler Swisher Co. 4-H 5 GRAND CHAMPION Pryce Stewart Haskell FFA

Champion Hampshire

Crossbred 8 9 10 13 14 15 18 19 20

Reserve Champion Hampshire

Champion Crossbred Sponsored by: Duelm’s Prevailing Genetics DIVISION CHAMPION Brooklea Stone Westbrook FFA 1st Geovani Perez Cochran Co. 4-H RES. DIVISION CHAMPION Jonathan Crowl Spearman FFA RES. DIVISION CHAMPION Jaden Antu Lubbock Co. 4-H RES. BREED CHAMPION Peyton Bevel Stamford FFA 1st Hayz Noland Potter Co. 4-H 1st Mason Moresco Lometa FFA RES. GRAND CHAMPION Tyler Endicott Lubbock Co. 4-H 1st Grace Huseman Nazareth FFA

Champion Crossbred

Res. Grand Champion Sponsored by: Mund Livestock Res. Champion Hampshire Buckle Sponsored by: K&C Farms Breeder, Farm Name Hometown Reggy Spencer, S3 Genetics & Spencer Show Pigs Colorado City Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures, LLC. Dalhart Cliff Berger Giddings Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures, LLC. Dalhart Shane & Tatum Swenhaugen, Rival Genetics Canadian

Res. Champion Crossbred Sponsored by: Knight Show Pigs Reggy Spencer, S3 Genetics & Spencer Show Pigs Colorado City Wayne & Leslie Harman, Harman Farms Perryton Shane & Tatum Swenhaugen, Rival Genetics Canadian Craig & Lisa Bessent, Bessent Farms Abilene Landon Denson, Contenders Livestock Stamford Alabama Bohannon, Bama Show Pigs Wellington Jay Winter, Wintex Farms Lubbock Jay Winter, Wintex Farms Lubbock Chris Fischbacher, Fischbacher Showpigs Wildorado

Reserve Champion Crossbred

Duroc

25 26 27 28

White OPB

31 32 33

Champion Black OPB

Champion Yorkshire

Perryton Stanton Lubbock Dalhart

Reserve Champion White OPB Res. Champion WOPB Sponsored by: Dale Wilde Kristi Culp, TKC Show PIgs Dale Wilde Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms

Lamesa Wall Amarillo

Reserve Champion Black OPB

Champion BOPB Sponsored by: Schwartz Livestock Res. Champion BOPB Sponsored by: SAMMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hog Farm 1st Charry Daniel Winkler/Loving Co. 4-H Blake & Shannon Berry, B/S Showpigs 1st Kayde McBryde Stratford FFA Lance Horsford, Horsford Show Pigs BREED CHAMPION Avery Hodges Frenship FFA Jay Winter, Wintex Farms RES. BREED CHAMPION Taylor Williams Avery FFA Willard Hill, Hill Show Pigs

Yorkshire 41 42 *42 43

Champion White OPB

Champion WOPB Sponsored by: West Texas Genetics RES. BREED CHAMPION Taylor Culp Lamesa FFA 1st Calvin Brigman Wall FFA BREED CHAMPION Surcy Peoples Randall Co. 4-H

Black OPB 36 37 38 39

Reserve Champion Duroc

Champion Duroc

Champion Duroc Sponsored by: W. Rode & Sons Res. Champion Duroc Sponsored by: Creative Awards & Trophies 1st Carson Reed Wise Co. 4-H Wayne & Leslie Harman, Harman Farms 1st Ashlynn Peugh Martin Co. 4-H Cody Peugh, Peugh Showpigs BREED CHAMPION Brian Brugman Potter Co. 4-H Chad Hill, Chad Hill Durocs RES. BREED CHAMPION Garrett Spielman Dallam-Hartley Co. 4-H Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures, LLC.

Abilene Startford Lubbock Nevada

Reserve Champion Yorkshire

Champion Yorkshire Sponsored by: Dl Show Pigs - Josh Krohn 1st Kilie Walser Hemphill Co. 4-H BREED CHAMPION Issabella Cox Coahoma FFA RES. BREED CHAMPION Holly Halfmann Glasscock Co. 4-H 1st Justin Voss Marion FFA

Res. Champion Yorkshire Sponsored by: Wall Swine Breeders Weldon Walser, Wasler Farms/ Hot Rod Genetics Canadian Julia Cox, Diamond M Showpigs Tarzan Scott Halfmann Garden City Rory Duelm, Duelm Farms New Braunfels

Judge: Will Kirkpatrick Lone Grove, OK & Ryan Sites Tuttle, OK CTBR Premiums: $6,400 Grand Champion

Reserve Grand Champion

Exhibited by: Tyler Endicott Bred By: Wintex Farms

Exhibited by: Socorro Rodriguez Bred By: Stephens Farms

Class 23 Hampshire

Berkshire

ClassPlace 1 3rd 2 2nd 3 3rd

Spot

6 7 8 9

1st BREED CHAMPION 1st 2nd

Class 19 Hampshire

Exhibited by Austin Whatley Brice Easter Eli Delong

Club / Chapter Hutchinson Co. 4-H Frenship FFA Fredericksburg FFA

Breeder, Farm Name Greg & Charles Slough, GNC Genetics Mike Clay, Clay Farms Russell Kneese, Kneese Show Pigs

Hometown Gruver White Deer Fredericksburg

Taiden Smith Mitch Montgomery Brenden Adams James Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Kelley

Sweetwater FFA Oldham Co. 4-H Swisher Co. 4-H Trent FFA

Amber Lockhart, Flying J Show Pigs Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures LLC. Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Lynn Hayes & Mason Garner, Underdog Genetics

Olney Dalhart Amarillo Merkel

Champion Spot

Hampshire

12 DIVISION RES. CHAMPION Micah Pyron Jim Ned FFA 13 7th Kallen Mcilvain DeLeon FFA 14 3rd Cheyenne Davis Carson Co. 4-H 15 DIVISION CHAMPION Holly Halfmann Glasscock Co. 4-H 16 3rd Zane Burton West Texas FFA 17 3rd Brendan Weaver Hale Co. 4-H 18 2nd Brooke Flanagan Navarro FFA 19 RES. GRAND CHAMPION Socorro Rodriguez Moore Co. 4-H 20 1st Jordan Pohnert Carson Co. 4-H 21 2nd Hattie Bezner Dallam Co. 4-H 22 1st Laynie Swafford Lamesa FFA 23 GRAND CHAMPION Tyler Endicott Lubbock Co. 4-H 23* DIVISION RES. CHAMPION Jontra Anderson Perryton FFA * Not a CTBR Class Champion, but an Honorable mention.

Lynn Hayes & Mason Garner, Underdog Genetics Matt & Kaleb Nowlin Mike Clay, Clay Farms Scott Halfmann Jay Winter, Wintex Farms Jay Winter, Wintex Farms Rory Duelm, Duelm Farms Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Mike Clay, Clay Farms Mike Fischer, Fischer Show Pigs Cory Rains, Rains Livestock Jay Winter, Wintex Farms Shane & Tatum Swenhaugen, Rival Genetics

Merkel Gorman White Deer Garden City Lubbock Lubbock New Braunfels Amarillo White Deer Iowa Park Roscoe Lubbock Canadian

32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

Sean Mason, Mason Brothers Show Stock Willard Hill, Hill Show Pigs Welson Walser, Wasler Farms / Hot Rod Genetics Tadd & Scotta Knight, Knight Show Pigs Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Jay Winter, Wintex Farms Chip & Shyann Holley, Shy’s Durocs Zachary Curry, Curry Livestock

Muleshoe Nevada Canadian Shallowater Amarillo Lubbock Wylie Dublin

Duroc

1st DIVISION RES. CHAMPION 2nd 4th RES. BREED CHAMPION 1st 2nd 2nd

Treylin Griswold Cheyenne Mullis Jack Hunter Kelsey Long Bentley Hunter Trey Canales Shyann Holley Cole Macon

Reserve Champion Duroc

Farwell FFA Community FFA Dallam Co. 4-H Shallowater FFA Dallam Co. 4-H Sinton FFA Wylie East FFA Ennis FFA

Champion Poland

Poland

46 2nd Ashton Link New Home FFA 47 BREED CHAMPION Kylie McIntosh Kendall Co. 4-H 47* RES. BREED CHAMPION John Bowen Frenship FFA * Not a CTBR Class Champion, but an Honorable mention.

Dark Crossbred

50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57

2nd 2nd 3rd 2nd 3rd 2nd 7th 4th

Chester White

64 65 66

8th BREED CHAMPION 2nd

Reserve Champion Poland

Heath Link, Link Showpigs Kylie McIntosh, Vogts 3C Show Pigs Jason Foote, Foote Farms

New Home Boerne Seminole

Miles Iowa Park Miles Abilene Amarillo White Deer Nevada Roscoe

Cambree Schwartz Josie Hicks Blake Snellgrove Jordan Jones Wade Appleton Kelly Carroll Cale Merritt Jake Burton

Miles FFA Randall Co. 4-H Stanton FFA Blackwell FFA McCulloch Co. 4-H Foard Co. 4-H Rockwall FFA Sweetwater FFA

Harvey Schwertner, Schwertner, Byrd, Helms Mike Fischer, Fischer Show Pigs Harvey Schwertner, Schwertner, Byrd, Helms Craig & Lisa Bessent, Bessent Farms Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Mike Clay, Clay Farms Willard Hill, Hill Show Pigs Cory Rains, Rains Livestock

Brody Schmidt Thaxton Boyd Parker Ralston

East Central FFA Spearman FFA Dallam Co. 4-H

Kenneth & Kyle Wildman, Sure Success Show Pigs San Antonio Russell Kneese, Kneese Show Pigs Fredericksburg Seth Ralston, Ralston Hog Farm Dalhart

Champion Chester White

Champion Yorkshire

Reserve Champion Yorkshire

Yorkshire

Champion Landrace

69 5th Kaylee Putstka New Braunfels FFA 70 BREED CHAMPION Kaylee Martin Nolan Co. 4-H 70* RES. BREED CHAMPION Kamryn Vanausdall Smithson Valley FFA 71 2nd Walker Wyatt Frenship FFA 72 1st Kelby O’Brien Klondike FFA 73 6th Cade Davis Gonzales FFA 74 3rd Carlie Vandamme D’Hanis FFA * Not a CTBR Class Champion, but an Honorable mention.

Rory Duelm, Duelm Farms Doug Scheafer, Schaefer Livestock Jason Lackey, Lackey Livestock Rory Duelm, Duelm Farms Josh Krohn, DL Showpigs Jimbo Holland, Holland Showpigs Dan & Ragen Reed, Reed Livestock

New Braunfels Garden City Haskell New Braunfels Lamesa Cuero Krum

81 82

2nd BREED CHAMPION

Shay Clements Brooke Brown

Oldham Co. 4-H Dumas FFA

Jason Miller, MVB Genetics Jason Miller, MVB Genetics

Sunray Sunray

85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104

2nd 2nd 2nd DIVISION RES. CHAMPION 3rd 4th 4th 3rd 4th 1st 3rd 5th 1st 2nd 1st DIVISION CHAMPION

Ashtyn Carr Austin Lee Jaden Antu Shelby Drews Riley Reep Tarrant Cloud Cole Bradford Masen Sargent Jayden Phillips Hannah Hilton Spencer Clements Kaylee Lackey Taylor Norris Sierra Martin Susan Brugman Caden Riggins

Prosper FFA Guadalupe Co. 4-H Lubbock Co. 4-H Decatur FFA Hockley Co. 4-H Jim Ned FFA Shallowater FFA West Texas FFA Ennis FFA Olney FFA Oldham Co. 4-H Kerr Co. 4-H Honey Grove FFA Mason Co. 4-H Potter Co. 4-H Spearman FFA

Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures LLC. Rory Duelm, Duelm Farms Jay Winter, Wintex Farms Cliff Berger, Berger Farms Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Lynn Hayes & Mason Garner, Underdog Genetics Lance Horsford, Horsford Show Pigs Wayne & Leslie Harman, Harman Farms Zachary Curry, Curry Livestock Mike Fischer, Fischer Show Pigs Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures LLC. Warren Reeh Landry Packard, Rockin’ P Genetics Brandon & Ethan Biggs, Biggs Livestock Jay Winter, Wintex Farms Shane & Tatum Swenhaugen, Rival Genetics

Dalhart New Braunfels Lubbock Giddings Amarillo Merkel Stratford Levelland Dublin Iowa Park Dalhart Comfort Nevada Plainview Lubbock Canadian

Landrace

Crossbred

Certified Texas Bred Registry (CTBR) Fast Facts

* Major program of Texas Pork Producers Association * Benefits and promotes Texas bred hogs and producers * Over 460 Breeders participated in 2014 * Over $43,000 in premiums and scholarships paid out to exhibitors in 2014 * Over 8,500 certificates purchased for 2014-2015 show season * 111 breeders receiving at least one CTBR Class Champion * 13 Top Breeders - Breeders with 5 or more CTBR Class Champions * 11 Grand or Reserve Grand Champion at a CTBR Show with 7 Breeders * Breeder recognition at livestock shows, on the TPPA website, and in TPPA magazine

Judge: Nick Mauck, Gaston, IN & Travis Platt, Roanoke, IN CTBR Premiums: $6,500 Grand Champion

Reserve Grand Champion

Exhibited by: Leslie Batenhorst Bred By: Wintex Farms

Exhibited by: Caileigh Johnston Bred By: Rival Genetics

Class 95 Crossbred

Class 93 Crossbred

Duroc ClassPlace 1 1st 2 1st 3 DIVISION RES. CHAMPION 4 2nd 7 2nd 8 3rd 9 3rd

Hampshire

14 15 16 17 18 21 22 23 24 27 28 29 30

2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 1st 3rd 2nd 9th 2nd 3rd

Exhibited by Tristan Canales Morgan Sanders Carter Armes Brady Morgan Mackenzie Shirley Roy McCleery Julianne WarďŹ eld

Club / Chapter Sinton FFA Stamford FFA Gruver FFA Pearland FFA Borger FFA Poolville FFA Pearland FFA

Breeder, Farm Name Levi Canales, LC Genetics & Co. Rodney Walser, Walser Farms/Hot Rod Genetics Rodney Walser, Walser Farms/Hot Rod Genetics Jayce & Brady Morgan, Morgan Kids Livestock Greg & Charles Slough, GNC Genetics Cody McCleery, McCleery Family Durocs Robbie & Sissy Phillips, Phillips Show Pigs

Hometown Amarillo Canadian Canadian Manvel Gruver Poolville Levelland

Hannah Smith Ty Kennedy Caden Cloud Rylan Jordan Jarron Nesmith Holly Halfmann Ross Prokop Kayton Arnold Brooke Myers Cierra Armes Brooke Shobert Hadley Albracht Hayden Leach

Sherman FFA Jacksboro FFA Jim Ned FFA Mason Co. 4-H Levelland FFA Glasscock Co. 4-H Llano Co. 4-H Bells FFA Vernon FFA Lubbock Cooper FFA Spur FFA Potter Co. 4-H Haskell FFA

Glen Blount, Blount Farms Kevin Thomas, Thomas Showpigs Cody Peterson, Peterson Showpigs Rick & Niki Whitman, RW Genetics Rory Duelm, Duelm Farms Scott Halfmann Josh Krohn, DL Show Pigs Jimmy Hayes, HF Genetics Barret Klein & Dane Bonfy, Bonfy & Klein Matt & Curry Allen, Allen Farms Shane & Brook Shobert, Red Raider Genetics Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Phillip Newton, The Herd

Denison Jacksboro Ballinger Anderson New Braunfels Garden City Lamesa Port Lavaca Vernon Ovalo Spur Amarillo Haskell

Champion Poland Poland 35 36

BREED CHAMPION RES. BREED CHAMPION

Berkshire 39 40 41

2nd RES. BREED CHAMPION 2nd

Brianna Husman Trey Canales

Nazareth FFA Sinton FFA

Scott Huseman, Huseman Genetics Levi Canales, LC Genetics & Co.

Nazarath Amarillo

Brock Riker Hannah Petrys Dilyn Kieschnick

Parker Co 4-H Sinton FFA Lee Co 4-H

Jay Winter, Wintex Farms Scott Huseman, Huseman Genetics Chad & Tamara Githens, DT Show Swine

Lubbock Nazareth Perryton

Reserve Champion Berkshire

Spot 44 45 46 47

Reserve Champion Poland

1st BREED CHAMPION 2nd RES. BREED CHAMPION

Derek Wheeler Alexi Paris Molly Manhart Wade Appleton

Swisher Co 4-H Dallam Co 4-H Pampa FFA McCulloch Co. 4-H

Champion Spot Dark Crossbred

50 51 52 53 56 57 58 59

1st 1st 4th DIVISION RES. CHAMPION 2nd 1st 5th 3rd

Jaden Antu Teagan Cloud Rauston Smith Johnathan Crowl Klayton Hedges Colby Medlin Jarrot Foote Aeveri Young

Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures LLC. Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures LLC. Mel Manhart Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms

Dalhart Dalhart Pampa Amarillo

Reserve Champion Spot Lubbock Co 4-H Jim Ned FFA Kerens FFA Spearman FFA S&S Consolidated Salado FFA Seminole FFA Sherman FFA

Jay Winter, Wintex Farms Russell Kneese, Kneese Show Pigs Kevin Thomas, Thomas Showpigs Shane & Tatum Swenhaugen, Rival Genetics Carl Kent, Carl Kent & Sons Chad Hajda, Halda Showpigs Jason Foote, Foote Farms Terry Calhoun, Calhoun Show Pigs

Lubbock Fredericksburg Jacksboro Canadian Pottsboro Granger Seminole Sherman

Champion Yorkshire Yorkshire

Reserve Champion Yorkshire

Champion White OPB

64 65 66 69 70 71

1st RES. BREED CHAMPION 3rd BREED CHAMPION 2nd 2nd

Lacy Bruton Allie James Holly Alderson Maggie Pipkin Chambre Clawson Cheyanna Buck

Grandview FFA Stratford FFA Guadalupe Co 4-H Spearman FFA Swisher Co 4-H Perryton FFA

Randy & Megan Gross, Gross Livestock Shane & Tatum Swenhaugen, Rival Genetics Doug Alderson, Alderson Farms Kevin Thomas, Thomas Showpigs Danny Nusser, Nusser Livestock Chad & Tamara Githens, DT Show Swine

Grandview Canadian Marion Jacksboro Canyon Perryton

76 77 78 79

1st 2nd 1st BREED CHAMPION

KC Miller Kate Cooper Kutter Meador Reed Seidenberger

Sunray FFA Lubbock Cooper FFA Potter Co 4-H Glasscock Co 4-H

Jason Miller, MVB Genetics Russell Kneese, Kneese Show Pigs Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures LLC. Todd & Moriah Beyers

Sunray Fredericksburg Dalhart Abernathy

82 83 84 85 86 87 90 91 92 93 94 95 98 99 100 101 102 103

3rd 1st 3rd 3rd 5th DIVISION CHAMPION 2nd 1st 2nd RES. GRAND CHAMPION 6th GRAND CHAMPION 2nd 1st 4th 7th 2nd 1st

Kilie Jo Walser Hemphill Co 4-H Jacy Burguin Spearman FFA Stockton Blount Potter Co 4-H Geriet Lenz Hartley FFA Tyler Nelson Waller FFA Graham Quinn Ennis FFA Kytlin Peterson Ballinger FFA Lanie Dru Allen Jim Ned FFA Tyliegh Price Snyder FFA Caileigh Johnston Perryton FFA Emily Jackson Oldham FFA Leslie Batenhorst Dallam Co. 4-H Hattie-Carole Bezner Dallam Co. 4-H Mikaela Leorwald Florence FFA Wyatt Whitaker Brenham FFA Chance Morse Bells FFA Riley Reep Hockley Co. 4-H Kimball Daniels Alystyne FFA

Rodney Walser, Walser Farms/Hot Rod Genetics Billy & Jane Rash, Rash Livestock Chris & Tiffany Blount, High Plains Genetics Chance Waldrip, Cornerstone Ventures LLC. Kevin Thomas, Thomas Showpigs Billy & Jane Rash, Rash Livestock Cody Peterson, Peterson Showpigs Matt & Curry Allen, Allen Farms Jason Lackey, Lackey Livestock Shane & Tatum Swenhaugen, Rival Genetics Chris & Tiffany Blount, High Plains Genetics Jay Winter, Wintex Farms Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Rory Duelm, Duelm Farms Glen Blount, Blount Farms Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Mike Clay, Clay Farms

Canadian Willis Wildorado Dalhart Jacksboro Willis Ballinger Ovalo Haskell Canadian Wildorado Lubbock Amarillo Amarillo New Braunfels Denison Amarillo White Deer

White OPB

Other Crossbred

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Reserve Grand Champion Class 26 Crossbred

Judge: Jason Hirschfeld York, NE CTBR Premiums: $2,900 Duroc

ClassPlace 1 2nd 3 BREED CHAMPION 4 1st

Dark OPB 5 6 7

1st 2nd BREED CHAMPION

White OPB 8 9

BREED CHAMPION 3rd

Exhibited by Amber Schwartz William Petrus Harrison Spisak

Club / Chapter Tom Green Co. 4-H Sinton FFA Gillespie Co. 4-H

Breeder, Farm Name Rick & Niki Whitman, RW Genetics Levi Canales, LC Genetics & Co. Wayne Rode, W. Rode & Sons

Hometown Anderson Amarillo Fredericksburg

Kati Adams Cash Martin Tristanne Rasco

Hedley FFA Abernathy FFA Wise Co. 4-H

Billy Wiggs Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Wayne & Leslie Harman, Harman Farms

Clarendon Amarillo Perryton

Kastin Wilde Shelby Peters

Glasscock Co. 4-H Burkburnett FFA

Kastin Wilde Dan Young, Young Livestock

Garden City Burkburnett

Champion Dark OPB

Champion Duroc Hampshire 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

1st 3rd 1st 10th 2nd 2nd 5th 1st

Yorkshire 18 19 20

1st 6th RES. BREED CHAMPION

Exhibited by: Riley Reep Bred By: Stephens Farms

Champion White OPB

Sara Benavides John Brady Morgan Madison Campbell Dax Tiechelman KC St. John Kaylee Martin Bryce Blocker Kloe Wilson

Ben Bolt 4-H Levi Canales, LC Genetics & Co. Pearland FFA Timbo Tatsch, Tatsch Show Pigs New Braunfels Canyon FFA Rory Duelm, Duelm Farms Trent FFA David Chumbley, Chumbley Farms Byron Nelson FFA Larry Larrison, Larrison Creek Livestock Nolan Co. 4-H Matt & Curry Allen, Allen Farms Martin Co. 4-H Cody Peugh, Peugh Showpigs Gorman FFA Geoff Cooper, Cooper & Cudd Showpigs

Amarillo Yancey New Braunfels Plano Cleburne Ovalo Stanton Brownfield

Hope Halfmann Jake Dusek Holly Halfmann

Glasscock Co. 4-H Wall FFA Glasscock Co. 4-H

Garden City Rowena Garden City

Scott Halfmann Clarence Schaefer Jr., Schaefer’s Pigs Scott Halfmann

Crossbred 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 30 31

2nd 1st 1st 2nd 2nd RES. GRAND CHAMPION 5th 1st 1st 7th

Jacob Jenscke Lili Appleton Hayden Leach Hagan Halfmann Jackson Foster Riley Reep Madison Phillips Rafe Royall Lindsey Lamkin Kinzi Hays

Gillespie Co. 4-H McCulloch Co. 4-H Haskell FFA Glasscock Co. 4-H Sweetwater FFA Hockley Co. 4-H Lubbock Monterey FFA Glasscock Co. 4-H Shallowater FFA Merkel FFA

Kenneth & Caroline Kensing, K&C Farms Seth Ralston, Ralston Hog Farm Shane & Tatum Swenhaugen, Rival Genetics Scott Halfmann Matt & Curry Allen, Allen Farms Kyle Stephens, Stephens Farms Kevin Methvin, Methvin Hog Farm Todd & Moriah Beyers Josh Krohn, DL Showpigs Lynn Hays & Mason Garner, Underdog Genetics

Fredericksburg Dalhart Canadian Garden City Ovalo Amarillo Levelland Abernathy Lamesa Merkel

Reserve Champion Yorkshire

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A HUGE

Breeder Spotlight

“Home is Where the Hogs are”

S

mall Texas towns and good times: you can stop by the historic Luckenbach General Store, or take a spin in the famous Gruene Dance Hall, but when you go through Wall, Texas you have to stop at Mund Livestock, where talking hogs with family and friends is always a good time. This is a family affair, and Brad with his wife Laurie want to ensure that it remains that way. Along with their two sons, Casey and Brice, Mund Livestock genuinely enjoys all the ins and outs of the hog industry. As longstanding members of the Texas Pork Producers Association, we greatly appreciate and enjoyed sitting down with this family to discuss the past, present and future of Mund Livestock.

It all started back in 1970 when Brad’s father, Jack, entered the hog business by becoming partners in a specific pathogen free (SPF) farrowto-finish operation. The family further deepened their ties in the swine industry by partnering in one of Texas’ first independent boar testing stations. Additionally, Brad grew up showing hogs and had sows at their house in Llano. When Brad and Laurie started a family of their own they started showing as soon as the boys were old enough to hold a pig whip, and it was clear to see a strong desire for show pigs was

Mund Livestock

embedded in the Mund family. The Mund men lucked out and married forgiving women who too share their interest in hogs. Casey and wife Menda live in Wall with their four year-old daughter Brynlee and are expecting a boy. Brice and his wife Callie reside in Brenham along with their one and a half year-old daughter Brylie.

“My father was passionate and that bled into a desire for hogs myself,” said Brad. “When we started showing pigs as a family again, I quickly noticed the drive my two sons had for the business.

It was only a matter of time until we had farrowing houses going up and pigs on the ground.”

Today, Mund livestock runs approximately 40 females and farrow year round. While their sow base mostly consists of Crossbreds, they also have a few Chester, Hampshire, Spot and Yorkshire sows. When it comes to raising hogs, the Mund’s know what they like and strongly stand by those beliefs. Brad and his sons have two main priorities for females that are in their keeper pen. Their sows have to be backed by proven pedigrees, and are females that can functionally lie down in the crate and do what they are supposed to do.

For more information on Mund Livestock visit mundlivestock.com or call Brad: 325.456.8430 Casey: 325.277.7228 Brice: 979.224.4423

Back row from left to right: Brad, Brice and Casey Front row from left to right: Laurie, Callie, Brylie, Menda and Brynlee

“We believe strongly that without the right kind of sow base no farm can be successful,” explained Casey. “Females will make the biggest impact on your show pigs. They have to be good in terms of structure, bold in their rib shape and square in their build. We’ve tried to put together the best sow base that we can and take them to boars that fit their particular needs.

Our hope is that we can use the extreme pieces from today’s boars and make the best show pigs that we can.”

Although the success rate for Mund Livestock is impressive, the family remains humble. “We’ve been blessed with some good hogs, with excellent kids to show them,” said Brad.

Some moments that play in the operations highlight reel include: countless county and local show champions, class and division winners at the majors, Grand Champion Gilt at the CTBR Stars of Texas, and the Reserve Grand Champion Barrow at Austin.

“Above all the banners and buckles ranks the first time that I saw my sons and oldest granddaughter show,” Brad fondly recalled.

Providing quality show pigs isn’t the only way the Mund’s are involved in the show world. Sons, Casey and Brice work one-on-one with youth, assisting them with livestock selection, management and showmanship. Additionally, Brice travels the country to evaluate hogs at numerous jackpot and county shows, as well as a few state fairs. Brice also puts his livestock evaluation skills to good use as the livestock judging coach at Blinn College.

While show pigs is the family’s number one pastime, when they aren’t in the barn the Mund’s enjoy fishing, hunting and golfing. The entire family agrees that all activities revolve around Brynlee and Brylie, and soon a grandson will be added to the mix. No matter the festivity, the Mund’s just like to enjoy the company of their family and friends and have a great time.

While we can never be completely certain of what the future holds, I think it’s safe to say that the Mund family is just getting started in the show pig industry. The Mund family looks forward to what the future holds for them and their operation. They have plans to add some more purebred sows to their predominantly crossbred sow herd. Mund Livestock is also working on adding a few elite boars to their breeding stock and selling semen. In the coming years, Brice would like to have a few sows at his home in Brenham. Like most show pig operations, a major goal is to take home a banner from San Antonio or Houston, but their ultimate goal is to continue providing quality hogs to their great feeders.

“When you have good hogs and even better families caring for them, success is just a matter of time,” explained Brice. “This is a passion that we hope to carry on for a very long time.”

Contact or stop by Mund Livestock year-round for semen and show pigs!

“This is a passion we hope to carry on for a very long time.”

What do you feel is the biggest challenge in raising competitive hogs?

There are several, but the biggest are probably biosecurity and health. We’ve seen over the past few years what needs to be done to protect your sow herd as far as biosecurity measures are concerned. I don’t see that ever not being an issue in this industry.

Where do you see the show pig industry headed?

Over the years we have seen hogs go from one extreme to another, and we have finally come to what I believe is a happy medium. The modern day market hog is one that is tall fronted, extremely showy and can handle all the skeletal width and muscle on a big and correct skeleton. I’ve seen the push for correcting hind legs on these hogs and, to be honest, I love it. I don’t see an industry push for lighter muscled, less stout or worse looking hogs, so I think always working to make them better structured is what will happen.

What boars do you think have had the biggest impact on the show pig industry, and on your herd?

There are a few boars that have been able to make prolonged runs of success in the industry. Swagger, Hillbilly Bone, Fatal Attraction, Super Monster and you can obviously say that Best Man could have a similar impact considering the spring he’s had. As far as our sow base, we probably have more sows go back to Fatal Attraction than anything else.

The Mund Men “Throwin’ it Back”

What benefits do you see with people’s involvement in agriculture or hogs?

The biggest value that comes with hogs, or any livestock for that matter, is family. The whole family can be a part of showing and breeding livestock. It also helps teaching young people discipline, dedication and responsibility. It’s a rarity these days for young people to care about something else more than their Xbox, cell phone, or boyfriend/ girlfriend. That’s what this industry does to young people; it teaches them to care about something else more than themselves and their material possessions.

What’s your favorite part of raising hogs?

Our favorite part of raising hogs is watching all the young people have success with their projects. Knowing that not everyone will win a major show, but that they learn from their project is a great feeling to be a part of that.

What advice would you give to a young person wanting to raise show pigs?

I tell any young person trying to get into the business to find someone who has been a part of it awhile and use them as a resource. Be prepared for the ups and downs of the business. Make yourself aware of the issues in the swine industry and animal agriculture as a whole.

The Mentalist Judgmental X Super Monster X Super Monster Stress Negative | $150/Dose Bred By: Austin Kindschi, Real Time Genetics

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;rebeyondpumpedabout theimpactTheMentalistcould make!Watchforhisfirstlitters, for sale starting in June.

BrewHouse Specimen (Speechless X Hillbilly Bone) X Black Oynx X Hillbilly Bone Stress Negative | $150/Dose Bred By:JohnHuinker,Iowa

Some of our sows need an extra push for bone, turn to their forerib, and stoutness to their hip.

Brewhouseistheboarthatcanmakethishappen!

He is made like a keg in his center body and is an outlier for stoutness EVERYWHERE!

Doug & Karen Schaefer

432.517.0352 doug@schaeferlivestock.com 2901 County Road 130 Garden City, TX 79739

Ian Schaefer

432.213.3623 ianschaefer11@yahoo.com schaeferlivestock.com

g n i t c e nn

Co

the

! s t Do

BOARS

SHOW PIGS

TRUST

ROOSTER

The Duke x Prestige

ReserveChampionYorkshireGilt

6 SPEED

‘15 SALE Open Show Sired by: The Duke

Automatic x Aisa Owned with McCleery Family Durocs

Supreme Champion Gilt

‘14 CTBR Stars of Texas Sired by: Papi Grande

Champion Hampshire Gilt ‘15 Guadalupe Co. Sired by: Black Magic

Popular Barrow ‘15 HLSR Sired by: Pimlico

JOURNEY’S END TheJourneyxTrueGrit

HILLBILLY WILLIE

HillbillyBonegrandson

www.realhogfarms.com 15492 Real Rock Rd Marion, TX

Contact us at anytime!

Chuck: 210.827.7351 Russell: 210.216.2688 Home: 830.914.2833

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What We Do...

Membership Driven!

At TPPA we strive to: Provide a structure for cooperation of pork producers in Texas Encourage efficient production and marketing methods Promote the consumption of quality pork products Provide educational and networking opportunities Represent producers in legislative and regulatory matters

Est. 1889

Participate in Texas Pork Industry Conference and other TPPA sponsored events Networking opportunities to learn the most efficient practices and new concepts Our goal is to improve & increase the quality & production of the Texas swine industry.

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Scholarship opportunities Develop & enhance leadership skills through activities: ◆Texas Pork Leadership Camp ◆TPPA Internships ◆Texas Pork Youth Symposium Connect with influential industry leaders

Stay current by receiving timely updates on: ◆Stock Shows ◆Important Issues ◆Market Reports ◆Activities & Events ◆Certified Texas Bred Registry Information Subscription to Producer Connection Receive Spring Buyers Guide and Fall Sales Trail

Representing the Voice of Texas Swine Breeders & Agriculturalists Join Texas Pork Producers Association TODAY Annual Membership Sept. 1st - Aug. 31st

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Texas Pork Producers Association

Certified Texas Bred Registry

The Certified Texas Bred Registry program was established to promote Texas bred and raised pigs and support both the breeders and the 4-H / FFA youth of Texas who raise & show Certified Texas Bred pigs.

How does participation benefit you?

✓ Additional Premiums

• $100 premium is awarded to individuals exhibiting a CTBR Class Champion in each class of the barrow shows at the State Fair of Texas, Fort Worth Stock Show, San Antonio Livestock Exposition, Star of Texas and the Houston Livestock Show.

• Premium money is distributed to all placing barrows at the San Angelo Stock Show in addition to buckles and trophies awarded to exhibitors of Champion and Reserve Champion breeds.

• $43,000+ was awarded during the 2014-2015 show season to Texas 4-H and FFA students.

✓ Scholarship Opportunities

• $27,500 has been awarded to Texas students since 2011 through the CTBR program.

• In 2014, three scholarships were awarded at $2,500 each.

✓ Production Grant Program

• Provide financial assistance to deserving 4-H and FFA students at a minimum amount of $2,500 who are continuing their involvement in swine production through establishing their own breeding program.

✓ Participate in the San Angelo Stock Show

• The CTBR Texas Stars Gilt Show & Select Sale and the San Angelo Barrow Show is only open to youth exhibiting pigs registered in the Certified Texas Bred Registry program.

• Gilts selected for the sale brought an average of nearly $2,600 back to each exhibitor in 2015.

How to participate?

✓ Buy your showpigs from a CTBR breeder! ✓ Exhibit your CTBR pig at a Texas Major Show or the State Fair of Texas! ✓ Become a TPPA member for additional benefits!

Visit texaspork.org to view our Breeder Directory & the Texas Sales Trail, a comprehensive list of Fall showpig sales.

P.O. Box 10168

*

Austin, TX 78766

*

512.453.0615

*

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Searching for your next county show or State Fair Champion?

2015 Spring Buyers Guide of Texas Show Pigs

1

Kastin Wilde AnJo Farms

Date Available: Late April - May Location: 1430 Stout Lane Big Lake, TX 76932 Offering: 19 Litters ~ Berk, Cross Contact #: (432) 940-6265 E-Mail: anniewilde@yahoo.com Web Address: www.facebook.com/joebwilde/ anjofarms

2

Bo Caraway Caraway Show Pigs st

Date Available: May 1 Location: 2918 Highway 2563 Eastland, TX 76448 Offering: 18 Litters ~ Berk, Chester, Cross, Poland, Spot Contact #: (254) 639-2545 (254) 315-0064 E-Mail: pcaraway@cctc.net Web Address: www.carawayshowpigs.com

3

Jackson Allen Jackson stAllen Livestock

Date Available: Location: Offering: Contact #: E-Mail:

May 1 Troy, TX 12 Litters ~ Cross, Hamp, Spot, York (512) 207-0038 j.allen22@yahoo.com

Refer to this list of CTBR breeders who can help deliver that banner!

4

Jimmy & Cassidy Hayes HFstGenetics

Date Available: May 1 (March & April Born) Location: 400 Kemper Rd. Port Lavaca, TX Offering: 20 Litters ~ Cross, Hamp, York Contact #: (361) 920-0964 Jimmy Cell (361) 920-1015 Cassidy Cell E-Mail: hayesfarms@gmail.com Web Address: www.hfgenetics.com

5

Rick & Niki Whitman RWst Genetics

Date Available: May 1 Location: 4796 FM 1774 Anderson, TX Offering: 70 Litters ~ Cross, Duroc, York Contact #: (512) 540-1119 - Rick (512) 540-1490 - Niki E-Mail: rwgenetics@gmail.com Web Address: www.rwgenetics.com

6

Russell Lassmann & Robert Hajek L&Hst Showpigs

Date Available: May 1 Location: 6781 FM 236 Victoria, TX 77905 Offering: 60 Head ~ Cross, Duroc, Spot, York Contact #: (361) 676-5453 (361) 550-5579 E-Mail: rrcklassmann@ccwip.net rhajek@ymail.com Web Address: www.lhshowpigs.com

7

Mike Harmel Harmel Pig Farm

Date Available: May Location: 7506 FM 390 W. Burton, TX 77835 Offering: 8 Litters ~ Cross, Hamp Contact #: (979) 277-5522

8

Scott Heffernan Heffernan Genetics st

Date Available: May 1 Location: 885 Yow Rd. Poteet, TX 78065 Offering: 15 Litters ~ Cross, Duroc Contact #: (830) 570-7540 E-Mail: scoffernan@gmal.com Web Address: www.heffernangenetics.com

9

Wayne & James Rode W. Rode & Sons

Date Available: May 1st Location: 1510 Rode Road Fredericksburg, TX 78624 Offering: 12 Litters ~ Cross, Duroc, Hamp, York Contact #: (830) 456-6176 E-Mail: wrode@austin.rr.com Web Address: www.wrodeandsons.com

10

Rory Duelm Duelm’s Prevailing Genetics

Date Available: May 2nd Private Treaty Sale (March & April Born) Location: 192 Altwein Road New Braunfels, TX 78130 Offering: 125+ Litters - Berk, Chester, Cross, Duroc, Hamp, Landrace, Poland, Spot, York Contact #: (830) 608-5058 - Rory Duelm (830) 708-4274 - Matt Lee E-Mail: duelmhog@yahoo.com Web Address: www.duelmsprevailinggenetics.com

11

James & Glen Blount Blount Farms

Date Available: May 10 and after Location: 3044 Desvoignes Road Denison, TX 75021 Offering: 6 Litters ~ Cross Contact #: (903) 465-9687 Farm (903) 814-4900 Glen Cell E-Mail: glen.blount@bellsisd.net Web Address: blountfarms.com

12

Leon Freeman Freeman Showpigs

Date Available: Mid May Location: 474 CR 344 Lohn, TX 76852 Offering: Cross Contact #: (325) 344-5514

13

Josh Krohn DL Showpigs

Date Available: Mid May (March & April Born) Location: 2101 CR 24 Lamesa, TX 79331 Offering: 60 (March & April) Litters - Cross, Duroc, Hamp, York Contact #: (806) 759-7735 - Josh (806) 438-2916 - Bridgette E-Mail: dlshowpigs@gmail.com Web Address: www.dlshowpigs.com

14

Jeff Shows Show’s Genetics th

Date Available: May 16 Location: 3971 CR 430 Dime Box, TX 77853 Offering: 9 Litters ~ Cross Contact #: (979) 224-5483 - Cell (979-884-0335 E-Mail: jeff.shows@dimebox.txed.net

10

Rory Duelm Duelm’s Prevailing Genetics

Date Available: May 16th Private Treaty Sale (March & April Born) Location: 192 Altwein Road New Braunfels, TX 78130 Offering: 125+ Litters - Berk, Chester, Cross, Duroc, Hamp, Landrace, Poland, Spot, York Contact #: (830) 608-5058 - Rory Duelm (830) 708-4274 - Matt Lee E-Mail: duelmhog@yahoo.com Web Address: www.duelmsprevailinggenetics.com

15

SHB Showpigs

Date Available: May 20th Location: 302 CR 363 Miles, TX Offering: 10 Litters ~ Berk, Cross, Duroc Contact #: (432) 894-5904 E-Mail: rto.helms@gmail.com Web Address: www.facebook.com/ schwertnershowpigs.com

16

Doug Schaefer Schaefer Livestock th

Date Available: May 25 Location: 2901 CR 130 Garden City, TX 79739 Offering: 15-20 Litters Berk, Cross, Duroc, Hamp, Spot, York Contact #: (432) 517-0352 E-Mail: doug@schaeferlivestock.com Web Address: www.schaeferlivestock.com

10

Rory Duelm Duelm’s Prevailing Genetics th

Date Available: May 30 Private Treaty Sale (March & April Born) Location: 192 Altwein Road New Braunfels, TX 78130 Offering: 125+ Litters - Berk, Chester, Cross, Duroc, Hamp, Landrace, Poland, Spot, York Contact #: (830) 608-5058 - Rory Duelm (830) 708-4274 - Matt Lee E-Mail: duelmhog@yahoo.com Web Address: www.duelmsprevailinggenetics.com

17

Kerby Knaupp Knaupp Showpigs, Inc.

Date Available: Late May Location: 767 Knaupp Mohr Road Fredericksburg, TX 78624 Offering: 30 Litters - Chester, Cross, Duroc, Hamp Contact #: (830) 685-3355 - Home (830) 456-4846 - Cell

18

Clint Halfmann West Texas Genetics

Date Available: June 7th Location: San Angelo, TX Offering: 25 Litters ~ Chester, Cross, Duroc, Hamp, Spot, York Contact #: (402) 429-4946 - Clint E-Mail: cmhalf@yahoo.com Web Address: westtexasgenetics.com

19

Edmund Meier, Todd Fleming & Willie Frantzen Grand Slam Swine Genetics

Date Available: July Location: 19015 Chimney Creek Helotes, TX 78023 Offering: 15-20 Litters ~ Berk, Cross, Duroc Contact #: (210) 355-3216 - Edmund (210) 213-4925 - Todd (210) 683-7048 - Willie E-Mail: kerrknife@gmail.com

20

Clarence Schaefer, Jr. Schaefer’s Pigs

Date Available: As Ready Location: 418 CR 248 Rowena, TX 76875 Offering: 15 - 20 Litters - Chester, Duroc, Hamp, York Contact #: (325) 442-2401 (325) 718-8949

21

Seth Ralston Ralston Hog Farm

Date Available: As Ready Location: 11730 US Hwy 87 Dalhart, TX Offering: 20 Litters ~ Chester, Cross, Hamp, Poland, Spot, York Contact #: (806) 384-3059 - Home (806) 773-6989 - Cell E-Mail: ralston@xit.net

22

Zachary & Kip Curry Curry Livestock

23

Drew Hubert Drew Hubert Show Pigs

Date Available: Year Round Location: 3950 CR 249 Dublin, TX 76446 Offering: Cross, Duroc, Hamp, Poland, Spot, York Contact #: (254) 592-1395 - Zachary (254) 592-3504 - Kip Curry, Jr. (254) 592-3915 - Kip Curry, Sr. E-Mail: currylivestock@hotmail.com Web Address: www.currylivestock.com

Date Available: Location: Offering: Contact #:

24

Year Round Riviera, TX 15 Litters ~ Cross, Hamp, York (361) 296-4530 Cell

Carl Kent & Sons

Date Available: Year Round Location: 2903 W. Hwy 120 Pottsboro, TX 75076 Offering: 70 - 80 Litters ~ Cross, Duroc, York, Spot Contact #: (903) 786-9423 (903) 271-5128 E-Mail: carlandjoycekent@hotmail.com Web Address: www.carlkentandsons.com

25

Chuck & Russell Real Real Hog Farms

Date Available: Year Round Location: 15492 Real Rock Rd. Marion, TX 78124 Offering: 25 Litters / Month - Berk, Cross, Duroc, Hamp, York Contact #: (830) 914-2833 - Home (210) 827-7351 - Chuck Cell (210) 216-2688 - Russell Cell E-Mail: realhogfarms@realhogfarms.com Web Address: www.realhogfarms.com

Mapping out your road to success!

21

Amarillo

24 11 Lubbock

13

Fort Worth

2 22

16

Midland

1

Dallas

18

15 20

12

3 Waco

14 7

9 17 19 8

10 25

Austin

6

Corpus Christi

TEXAS PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION

Houston

San Antonio

23

5

4

Biosecurity Recommendations for Showpig Operations and Those Traveling Between Farms and Sales It’s time for Spring pig sales, so special attention needs to be paid to biosecurity & protecting the health of your pig farm and others. We all need to be held accountable and help minimize disease exposure.

Anytime there is traffic with people coming onto swine operations, especially when traveling from farm to farm, there is an increased risk for the spread of diseases, such as PEDv, among others. PEDv transfers via feces and survives in manure for extended periods of time. Anything that is contaminated with pig manure can be a source of infection for pigs. Everyone should be aware of the role they may play in the spread of PEDv and other swine diseases. Establishing and following sound biosecurity practices is the cornerstone for reducing the risk of spreading these diseases. EVERYONE needs to be accountable for maintaining a high standard of biosecurity practices because the spread of swine diseases as a result of irresponsible behavior on our part is poor animal husbandry, a poor reflection on those responsible, and brings negativity towards the industry as a whole. With showpig-buying season upon us, the following guidelines are some considerations for families, Ag Teachers and County Agents along with swine owners to consider that will help minimize disease exposure.

Recommended Supplies for Use at Swine Farms:  BE PREPARED by having the proper supplies. Here is a checklist of supplies that should be used by farms and/or those visiting swine farms:  Disposable Boots – have enough for everyone to double boot at each location in case it is necessary; purchase boots with a min. of 4 ml thickness  Disinfectants - Tek-Trol (comes in both a liquid and an aerosol), 1Stroke, Environ, Virkon S, Synergize, or Chlorox; it is recommended to have both wipes and sprays  Clean Tote Box – this box should house all of the “clean” supplies (plastic boots, coveralls, trash bags, sanitizer, etc.) so that they are kept separate and are sealed away from a potentially contaminated environment  Trash Bags – for use in throwing away disposable items after completion of the visit

For Potential Buyers Visiting Swine Farms: 1. COMMUNICATE with the breeder/owner prior to arriving at their farm as to their expectations. Establish what direction to enter the farm, where to park, and what to wear. Follow the wishes of what each farm owner wants. Some will have specific instructions and different requirements that may be more detailed.

Just because something is suitable for one, doesn’t mean that will work for everyone. Ask the owner to detail any farm-specific biosecurity protocols that you will need to follow during the visit. Ask about the current herd health status. If the farm is undergoing a disease outbreak, it is recommended to NOT visit this farm due to the increased risk of spread to other farms that will be potentially visited.

2. PARK in the designated parking area for the farm. Obey all signage regarding access to specific areas. If no parking area exists, park as far away from the livestock barn as possible on the gravel or hard surface, or park on the edge of the public road close to the location. Avoid parking/driving in muddy areas on the farm.

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3. LEAVE ALL PERSONAL ITEMS in the vehicle and do not bring them onto the farm; this should include, but not be limited to pig whips/bats, ball caps, jewelry, etc. (anything that manure or infected dust particles can be transported on should be avoided). If it is necessary to wear a ball cap at multiple farms then you should apply an aerosol disinfectant on it between farms.

4. Respect the LINE OF SEPERATION at each farm. The Line of Separation is defined as the line between the area that is to be used by the visitor and the area to be used by farm personnel.

5. DO NOT TOUCH any pigs while on the farm if you do not have to.

People that touch hogs need to sanitize hands upon departure before getting back into the vehicle.

6. When leaving REMOVE DIRTY BOOTS next to your vehicle but before you enter the vehicle. Put trash into a garbage bag and place in a location designated by the farm or away from clean supplies. Everyone should clean hands with sanitizer or wipes before entering the vehicle. Note that you should try to keep the inside of the vehicle as sanitary as possible.

7. WASH/DISINFECT VEHICLES AND TRAILERS in between each road trip. Pay special attention to the wheel wells and undercarriage.

A high temperature wash is critical. Be sure to thoroughly disinfect the inside of the vehicle between road trips. Each night during a road trip spray the inside of the vehicle with an aerosol disinfectant and wipe down the steering wheel.

8. Shoes should be sanitized daily when traveling to farms and sales with one of the recommended disinfectants. If you are stopping at multiple farms in the same day then you should use an aerosol disinfectant (ie. Tek-trol) to spray down everyone’s shoes, clothes, and ball caps in between farms.

For Swine Farm Operators: 1. Maintain a log of visitors.

2. Establish a clear line of separation at the farm. This is a line dividing the area that is to be used by the farm for live animals (often referred to as the clean area) and the area that is outside of the live animal area (the dirty area). Only the owner goes into the pens and has contact with the pigs. Enforce no reaching into pens and zero contact with pigs by visitors. It is recommended that a separate area be used to show/view pigs.

3. Designate a parking area for visitors.

4. Traffic flow – utilize a single direction traffic flow by designating a single entrance / exit point for vehicles.

5. Foot baths – If managed correctly, provide and encourage the use of foot bath stations as people enter the farm. Refresh the solution periodically depending on level of use. However, bear in mind that a contaminated foot bath could be more detrimental than helpful. Do not rely solely on the use of a foot bath.

6. Establish a designated area away from all swine for disposable items, such as boot covers and other trash, to be collected for removal.

You Deserve to be Recognized!

One can have a lasting & positive impact on so many!

Jim McManigal / Chuck Real Outstanding Swine Volunteer Award The Jim McManigal / Chuck Real Outstanding Swine Volunteer Award is to recognize outstanding adult volunteers who have shown excellent involvement and contributions to the FFA and 4-H swine programs on the local level. Producers are encouraged to nominate individuals for this award. All applications are reviewed and selection is determined by the TPPA Awards Committee.

Nomination Process: • Nominations will be accepted from current members of the TPPA. • Complete the application found online.

• Nominations consist of a letter of recommendation describing the level of involvement and contribution to the FFA and 4-H Swine Programs, in addition to the form. Additional letters of support or verification will be accepted and considered.

Texas Heritage Pig Production Award Has your family been in pig production for 50 years or more?

Apply now for the Texas Heritage Pig Production Award

OWNERSHIP / PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS 1. Pigs must have been continuously owned and produced by family members for two or more generations for at least 50 years.

2. The line of ownership from the first family member producing pigs to the current owner(s) may be through wives, husbands, children, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins. Adopted children will be recognized equally with biological children. The line of ownership and approximate dates of ownership need to be included in the application.

3. Any pig production that has been sold or is in the process of being sold or leased to a non-relative is ineligible.

4. Owner or co-owner must actively manage and direct the everyday pig operation of the farm. Absentee ownership of production does not qualify.

Applications are available at www.texaspork.org Applications due to the TPPA by: May 1, 2015 Texas Heritage Pig Production and the Jim McManigal / Chuck Real Outstanding Swine Volunteer Awards will be presented at the Awards Banquet held in conjunction with the Texas Pork Industry Conference on July 11th in Kerrville, Texas.

TEXAS PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 10168 • Austin, TX 78766

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Prevailing Genetics

100 Litters of March & April Pigs available starting early May

* Delivery and pigs available to Matt Neilson’s in Albert Lea, Minnesota * Delivery and pigs available to Ron DeOrnellas and Dave Runyan in Ohio * Delivery to Loveland, Colorado at Jason Simpson’s pig sale on April 10th

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Eliza Cope

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Maclinta Alaniz

San Angelo CTBR Gilt Sale Jerry Mclemore will put her to great use in Ninnekah, OK. 2 sisters remain at WTG!

! u o Y k n a h T

to all of the families and friends that strive for the best while giving our genetics a home and a chance to win. No matter how good we can make them, it is the feeding family and showman that make the deciding difference between 1st and 10th. Without you, none of our success would be possible. It is truly our pleasure to work for you.

Thank you again!

West Texas Genetics

Kyzar Meyer

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Good luck with this females future success!

* February litters currently available off farm

* 20 March-April litters available May & June * Bred Gilts or Sows available for purchase privately off farm

* 2nd Annual Elite Gilts & Barrows Sale JUNE 2nd at Showpig.com Clint Halfmann ~ 402.429.4946 Julie Halfmann ~ 325.340.0232 cmhalf@yahoo.com San Angelo, Texas