Luke Lindner runs 110 sows in Comfort, Texas with his father, Jason Lindner and girlfriend, Fallon Ferguson. Luke was introduced to the showpig world at a young age by his father, Jason who is the owner/operator of Linder Feed and Milling. In 2010, he and his father started raising crossbred hogs just for Luke to show in the competitive Texas major shows. In 2015, after Luke graduated high school, he made the decision to stay home and work at the feed store, and built his own sow operation. Luke has always taken great pride in being a part of the showpig industry, whether it’s raising show stock or making feed for the youth!
When the Oldenberg family arrives at a livestock show, the first thing their travel crew decides is where to set up the kitchen. This decision is as essential as the tack and stalling location for them.
Showing pigs is what Taylor Norris loves to do. When she was younger Norris tried gymnastics and still manages to play a little basketball in the winter. But this Honey Grove, Texas, girl has spent numerous hours in the show barn, and on the weekend of February 26, 2016, those hours paid off.
Russell Pedrett has been around show pigs since he joined 4-H at the age of 9. He purchased sows for his project, and by the time he graduated high school he had 30 sows to manage. Pedrett says pigs are all he knows, and they led him to his current career of working for Ottenwalter Show Pigs in Colusa, California.
Stohlquist Show Pigs originated from a 10-sow, father son 4-H project that, at one time, was second priority to a herd of Registered Holsteins. Ryan and his wife, Vicky, both grew up on a Dairy farm and shared the passion of showing dairy cattle. To this day, Ryan credits his success to the strong work ethics he built being raised on a dairy farm. Today, Stohlquist Show Pigs, located in Poplar Grove, Illinois, farrows 150 sows and has 15 boars in stud. Ryan says there is no doubt in his mind that they are working with the very best families in the industry and have set their dreams and goals high to help those families accomplish theirs!!!
Jordan and Justin Tibbits of Mineral Point, WI, although commonly referred to as brothers, are actually cousins. Their fathers are brothers who have farmed together for 40+ years. In addition to their own 50 sow operation, the four of them together run 250 beef cows and milk 75 dairy cows. Justin, Ashley (wife) and baby Landry live on the dairy farm where they farrow and Jordan lives a mile away where the sows and beef feed lots are located.
When asked about his best moment showing livestock, Blake Holmes doesn’t have to think twice before he responds.
He was driving his barrow in the grand drive at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) this past November. The judge selected Holmes’ pig as Grand Champion Market Hog, and, he immediately heard his friend scream with excitement from ringside. Holmes said he will remember that moment forever.
Crane Show Pigs is a 120-head sow operation in Protechett, Colorado, with 80 replacement females and up to 12 boars in stud. It was founded by Steve Crane in 1991 after he realized that college wasn't for him. He packed it up, after six weeks, and came back home to farm and raise show pigs. Steve and Christi married in 2010, combining households and livestock experience. She is the mother to Katherine (17), Elizabeth (13) and Ryder (10). Christi grew up showing livestock in Texas, and working on her family's cattle ranch. Showing has always been in her blood, but she never dreamed that pigs would someday become a part of that equation. Marketing and public relations are Christi's specialty, and her involvement with Crane Show Pigs has helped transform and expand the operation.
When things are going badly in the show ring, it’s normal to want to run.
For one junior swine showman this is exactly what she does. But it’s not because of a low placing or because she didn’t have a good gate. Rather it’s because the clapping and noise of the crowd bothers her. Or because someone didn’t recognize how well the pig acted – versus her – in the show ring.
With what started in 1973 as a purebred Hampshire FFA project, has evolved into the Real McCoy Genetics we know today – a show pig and boar stud operation in Bloominburg, OH that concentrates on Crossbreds, Hamps, Yorks, and Spots. Real McCoy Genetics manages approximately 120 sows and 40-50 boars year-round. Mike McCoy, and his dad Jim, share responsibilities. Mike’s focus is on managing the sow herd, show pig production and helping with boar selection, while Jim concentrates on the boar stud.
Lackey Livestock is a show pig operation based in Haskell, TX that consists of approximately 40 Yorkshire and crossbred sows. The skeleton crew includes Jason, his wife, Jackie, and sons Weston (7) and Grant (5). They pride themselves on quality with limited quantity and are passionate about helping hard working kids and families thrive in the show ring.
Triple L Showpigs in Janesville, WI is a small family owned and operated business that started in 2000. Laura and Darren both raised pigs growing up, but their families never continued farming. They took a leap of faith into the hog business together at the age of 22 years old with two small children who are now 17 and 15. They currently run about 50 sows that consist of Crossbreds, Yorkshires, Berks, Spots and a few Hamps. In stud, they have six boars that they collect and offer semen. They both grew up mostly with pedigree swine, but also enjoy the diversity the crossbreds bring to the table.
