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A History Lesson in the Making
by Rick Pfortmiller
Purebred swine have intrigued me for over 20 years. Since my first purchase of a Hampshire boar and a pair of Hampshire gilts in 1982, I have studied, discussed and developed my own thoughts and purposes for breeding swine.
As I look back on the breeders and the animals that have influenced the breeds, events in those short 20 years will forever be etched in my mind.
I will never forget standing by Lyle Shipley in Esbon , Kan., looking over a pen of boars and selecting Mpact 65-2 as my first boar. I still have that pedigree and those of Cathy 3-5 and Cathy 6-7, my first Hampshire sows.
I can still picture that first litter of pigs and remember how proud I was to show them off.
Likewise, I can still recall seeing a Yorkshire boar called Tall Rebel 94-12 in the mid-1980s at the late Darrell Epp’s in Henderson, Neb.
Tall Rebel was a huge boar that was so structurally correct, and he made fabulous daughters.
I will never forget the honor of sitting on a fence, listening to Darrell discuss the merits of a sound breeding program.
Little did I know at the time, these experiences were history lessons in the making — lessons that I still apply today as I work with the commercial industry and purebred breeders.
These recollections, and many others, serve as examples of how people and the pigs in their charge have influenced the swine industry.
I could go on and on about how the likes of Dale Farmer, Cletus Young, Stan Grecian and many others have helped me formulate my own opinions on swine selection and breeding.
These names may not be familiar to many of you, and that’s fine.
Hopefully, you can fill in the blanks with influential breeders you have come across that have made history for you.
What role will you play in being part of making history? As a breeder or swine enthusiast, what impression will you leave the next generation?
We are all aware that the industry has been forever changed with depressed hog prices in 1998 and recent years.
I can name countless breeders that no longer have the 50- to 200-sow family operation down the road and purchase boars and gilts each year.
I commend the breeders that have adapted to the changing industry, whether they have refocused their commercial seedstock efforts or specialized in showpig production.
I have said this before, and I will publicly say it again. Showpig production is nothing to be ashamed of, for it can be extremely rewarding to work with the youth of today.
Lending a hand to help build positive skills of responsibility, fair play and animal husbandry will forever serve as a foundation for the next generation. It is certain to leave a lasting mark on history.
But I’m greatly concerned when breeders appear to take this approach: Once the pig leaves the farm or pig sale at 60 pounds, or a bottle of semen leaves a stud, the breeder’s responsibility ends.
These breeders are, at best, sending a mixed message to their buyers (the youth and their parents), the packer/processors and ultimately, the consumer.
Attitudes of, “It’s not my problem,” or “I have to raise that kind because that is what they want,” or “I have to feed Paylean to my breeding show animals to compete,” will negatively impact the entire industry.
The look of the future pork industry is anyone’s guess.
Will the public’s perception of animal rights, animal welfare and our environmental stewardship affect the way you do business?
Will we look back on history and see a drastic change in how pigs are raised? I don’t know the answers, but it sure bears thought.
This is my challenge to you: Do your part today, so that when we look back 20 years from now, we see a positive history of the swine industry.
And as always, if I can provide any assistance in your breeding or marketing program, please don’t hesitate to give me a call or drop me a line.
