How They Work Industry News Showpig News
Royse Laffey has a true passion and heart for show pigs. He has been competitively showing pigs at the state and national level for eight years and is currently in high school. During his first year as a freshman, Laeffey was working with his Ag teachers to identify an SAE project for FFA that made the most sense – and his heart continued to lead him back to show pigs. So began the birth of Royse Laffey Showstock, a five-sow, multi-breed show pig operation backed by genetics proven in the show ring and located in Maryville, MO.
“While trying to identify an SAE project for FFA, I decided it would be interesting and fun to experience both sides of the show pig world – not just what I see in the ring, but what goes in to raising them as well,” says Laffey.
A key role player in the startup of Royse Laffey Showstock is Laffey’s mentor and FFA Advisor, Dillon Stiens. Steins is not only a teacher that has guided Laffey and helped him to start putting his old show sows into production, but he was a key reason Laffey was inspired to show pigs in the first place. Laffey was eight years old when Stiens was finishing up his show career and he was a showman that Laffey greatly looked up to aspired to be like.
“Through starting this operation with the help of my FFA advisor, I hope to continue to learn about the production details that go into a show pig operation and what it takes to raise quality stock,” says Laffey.
Royse Laffey Showstock was started by keeping gilts that had a proven track record in the ring. Recently to grow numbers, Laffey also added three purchased sows to the operation to bring it to its current and growing size of three. Laffey currently focuses on three crossbred litters, a Spot litter and a Duroc litter – which is out of his gilt that won the Missouri State Fair Purebred show in 2021.
“In the short term I want to be able to raise high-quality show pigs that are competitive and allow local 4H and FFA members easy access to preview and purchase livestock. In the long term I hope that I can have continued success in the show pig industry and use that success to continue to advocate and create awareness that helps promote Ag and the importance of livestock,” Laffey says while talking about his goals for the operation.
As a second-year breeder who has not yet had the numbers to put together his own sale, Laffey has chosen to consign in The Debut to showcase this year’s litter highlights to the online audience. He hopes it will help create some espouse for his business and is excited to reach a diverse audience through the online platform and traffic.
The Debut is a premier consignment auction platform that showcases new consignors, breeders or operations looking for a facelift or re-introduction to the market. The first Debut is February 28. Look for entries from Royse Laffey Showstock and reach out to Royse Laffey or Dillon Stiens with your inquiries or questions about his offering. Royse: 660-254-4994; Dillon: 660-541-3201