Showpig News
Check out the video below with Kevin Wendt to learn more about Jeff Torbert and what his family is doing at Torbert Livestock!
Torbert livestock is a family-centric show pig operation, owned and operated by Jeff Torbert and his wife Sarah. As a family that is brand new to raising pigs, the operation just farrowed out their first three litters in their new farrowing barn and are choosing to focus on Durocs and Berkshires as they build their brand and operation.
Jeff and Sarah both grew up in the agriculture industry and reaped the benefits of youth programs and showing livestock. Sarah grew up in 4-H and was a County 4-H Agent in Missouri and Wisconsin, and Jeff showed cattle in FFA. Their upbringing shaped their passion for livestock and they knew someday, they would want to provide the same opportunities for their family. About five years ago, they were blessed with three foster children and the plans for their operation quickly fell into place.
“Both of us understood how livestock could help teach our children about responsibility, hard work, and dedication and the rest is history. We started with four market hogs and just last year built a farrowing house. Our kids are learning so much and have found their true passion in the barn,” says Jeff.
When looking to get started with raising their own pigs, Jeff and Sarah quickly resorted back to their resources. Sarah’s connections through her County Extension work drove them to seek help in Missouri from McAlexander Livestock.
“Eric, Megan, and Paul McAlexander, set us up with some market hogs our first year, and then some amazing gilts our second year. They are always there to answer questions and help us with our program. In Laramie we have also found Pat and Jessica Parker, Parker Show Pigs, as great resources,” comments Jeff when talking about his influences.
With a few gilts in their program now, the Torberts are ready to take their operation and brand to the next level. They recently built a new farrowing barn and are farrowing litters out of a Duroc gilt that was the Champion Gilt at the Albany County Fair and the Reserve Champion Duroc at the Wyoming State Fair and a Berk gilt that was the Reserve Champion AOB at the Wyoming State Fair.
“We hope these genetics can assist with getting our name out and producing quality pigs. We have found that showing and raising show pigs brings us together as a family and gives us something to do and look forward to each year. We have learned so much already and will just continue to keep up with industry and show standards,” says Torbert.
The start of their business has certainly been exciting and they hope to continue to grow, but Jeff prefaces the importance of keeping their family and values at the center. He hopes their example and desire to do this as a family impacts and influences others in the area.
“We really did this for our kids. We hope to use our breeding program to teach them valuable life lessons about hard work and dedication. We are super excited about what our program has done for them already and even more excited to see the quality that we have in our barn. Wyoming is just starting to get into purebred showing and we hope that our family can be part of that movement.”
As brand new breeders on the market, the Torberts are looking for a way to get their name circulating in the Showpig.com community and start building their brand. Jeff felt The Debut was the best place to help share their story and the reason behind why they do what they do.
“We are super excited about our Durocs and Berks and want to have the opportunity to share them beyond our county.”
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 next Debut Auction is Monday, March 21. Look for entries from Torbert Livestock and reach out to Jeff Torbert with your inquiries or questions about his offering. Jeff: (307) 761-5915