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I spent this week in Northern Iowa and Southeastern Minnesota. It seems like this time of year is always a challenge to get herd visits done. Many of you are busy harvesting crops, breeding sows, or traveling to the southwest to sell pigs.
I did find time to stop at four farms that are having online sales next week. Diamond V Showpigs, Bolo Showpigs, Huinker Durocs and Wayne J Huinker. Guys if you have any questions on these pigs I would be more than willing to try and help answer them. I don’t have notes on every pigs at every farm, but I don’t have notes on a lot of them. If I can help, give me a call.
Michael Lackey
(765) 427-3733
America’s Best Genetics (ABG), a division of the National Swine Registry (NSR), was featured in International Pig Topics magazine’s “Breeder Review.”
The write-up highlighted both ABG and NSR’s commitment to being the source for pure genetic progress. Through the ABG program, purebred breeders combine their experience from years of raising breeding stock with modern technical advances to continue to make genetic progress in the Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace and Yorkshire breeds that can improve commercial producers’ bottom lines. In order to best serve the commercial swine industry, ABG members continue to emphasize the production of seedstock with documented quality and predictability with programs like the Swine Testing and Genetic Evaluation System (STAGES™).
Developed by the NSR to facilitate genetic improvement, STAGES™ calculates the most economically significant traits and predicts the genetic value of each pig. Through accurate data collection and reporting, a database of nearly two million performance [ … ]
As I end my first week as a Field Representative comes to a close, I wanted to share some of the stops I made with everyone.
I stayed in Indiana this week and got to spend some time with Marty Fordice, Kent Brattain, and Jeff Ramsey.
Marty, Corey, and Lee are busy in the middle if breeding season, like most, however the Fordice crew gave me the behind the scenes tour. After going through the sows we studied the set of Duroc gilts they are working with. I can say I was extremely impressed with the quality of the gilts they have kept back. This firm had a nice run this summer with red hogs, and even revamped the entire herd. If anyone finds themselves shopping for red hogs next spring, the trip to Fordices’ should be well worth it!
I then ran over to Brattain’s to check out a pair of July [ … ]
Everyone:Here is an update on Al Christian… Al suffered a hemorrhagic stroke in the cerebellum following the National Barrow Show… Last week he was moved to Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa, from Mercy Hospital, for rehab. I visited Al Saturday morning and he is making progress. I know he would appreciate hearing from you all. Here is the address to send cards and letters, Mary Greeley Medical Center, Al Christian, Room 315 Rehab, 1111 Duff Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50010Please keep Al and his family in your thoughts and prayers!
NSR Vice President of Global Technical Service Dr. Doug Newcom spent a week in Vietnam promoting purebred swine genetics during an agricultural trade mission held in conjunction with the US Grains Council’s 5thVietnam Swine Symposiums.
The symposiums, held in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, were two-day seminars designed to provide technical information about genetics, health, management and feed mill operations to Vietnam swine producers and allied-industry partners, feed and nutrition companies.
More than 200 attendees participated in the events that highlighted American production practices. Newcom presented on breed selection and on-farm evaluation and herd monitoring and recording. In addition to Newcom, other presenters included Dr. Bob Thaler, of South Dakota State University; Dr. Barry Kerkaert, of the Pipestone Veterinary Clinic; and Dr. Rommel Salobu, of the University of Philippines at Los Banos.
The group also visited swine farms in Vietnam. Kerkaert and Newcom toured the Vinh Tan [ … ]
On behalf of the National Swine Registry, we are pleased to introduce Blaine Evans as the new NSR Eastern Region Field Representative. Evans will fill Ralph Doak’s position as the Eastern Region Field Representative upon Ralph’s retirement later this year. Doak has dedicated more than 20 years to the people of the purebred swine industry as a field staff member. Evans grew up on a swine farm in Thorntown, IN, consisting of purebred Hampshires and club pigs. He was actively involved in the National Junior Swine Association and also participated in numerous NSR shows & sales. Blaine earned his A.A.S. Degree at Illinois Central College in East Peoria, IL where he competed on judging teams under the guidance of Grant Grebner. He recieved a B.S. Degree in Agriculture at Western Illinois University where he continued to judge under the direction of Dr. Mark Hoge.Blaine is a former NSR Field Staff Intern and possesses a tremendous passion [ … ]
If you are looking for July aged Durocs, Landrace, or Yorkshires, make sure you study the set these two firms are offering. I visited both farms today, to say the least I was impressed. If you have questions I am more than willing to offer my opinion.
Michael Lackey
National Swine Registry Field Representative
(765) 427-377
McGrew Showpigs
Ear Notch: 27-1 LG
Breed/Sex: Landrace GiltDate Born: 7/8/13Sire: RevolutionSire of Dam: JMG Falkan
Stewart’s Duroc Farm
EN: 3-6 DGBreed/Sex: Duroc GiltDate Born: 7/2/13Sire: Bold RulerDam: Meatpacker
The 66th Annual Barrow Show Swine Judging Contest brought 68 teams and 367 participants to Austin, Minn. on Sept. 9, 2013.
Winning the Senior College Division was Western Illinois Univeristy, Macomb, Ill.; Lakeland College of Mattoon, Ill. topped the Junior College Division; and Rushford-Peterson FFA Team #1, Rushford, Minn. won the junior division.
Senior College Division
Western Illinois University won first place in the senior college division with a score of 3291 points out of a possible 3500 points. The Western Illinois team competed against 16 other teams in the university division. Members of this team, coached by Mark Hoge, included Jamie Bobell, A.J. Stockdale, Sam Mattingly, Amara Danner, Matt Morrison, Marcassa Goodwin and Shelby Perry.
Oklahoma State Univeristy, Stillwater, Okla., was second in the senior college division with a score of 3282 points. Coached by Mark Johnson, this team was comprised of Brock Herren, Kass Pfeiffer, Maverick Squires, Dalton Newell, Laine Martin, Kyle Wilson and Taylor Graham.
Iowa State University of [ … ]
National Barrow Show
Austin, Minn. • Sept. 7-11
Crossbred Sale
Auctioneer: Dan Baker, Ind.
14 Boars • Average $976.79
Crossbred Sale Total = $13,675
The high seller in the Crossbred boar sale at the 2013 National Barrow Show was consigned by Bailey Sonka, Newhall, Iowa. Pat Sutera of Tabor, S.D. purchased this boar for $2,250.
National Barrow Show
Austin, Minn. • Sept. 7-11
Hampshire Sale
Auctioneer: Kevin Wendt, Ohio
11 Boars • Average $1,670.45
25 Gilts • Average $1,226
Hampshire Sale Total = $49,025
Premier Sire
JLM1 PIVOT POINT 13-2 Owned by Top Cut Genetics, Farmland, Ind.
Reserve Premier SireJL1 HE’S BACK 10-7Owned by Cain Super Sires, Chariton, Iowa and Joe Lancaster, Ada, Okla.
The Hampshire Hog College Boar driven by Delaney Young of Agency, Mo. was the high-selling Hampshire boar at the 2013 National Barrow Show. Shaffer’s Goldrush, Albany, Ind., purchased the boar for $6,500.
The Champion Hampshire gilt at the 2013 National Barrow Show was also the top seller in the Hampshire gilt sale. This gilt was driven by H&H Hampshires, Greenfield, Ohio, and purchased by McBride Hamps of Gilson, Ill. for $5,400.