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“The Pinnacle” Archives
The newsletter of the National Junior Swine Association
Fall 2001 Highlights
ARTICLES
Big Shoes To Fill
Darrell Anderson Directing the Purebred Industry
by Terrell Buck
Breaking the World Record
by Todd Creager
Judging Livestock: Hog Market Selection
by Jennifer Shike
What do you know about the...
National Pedigreed Livestock Council
by Brad Coffman
Thoughts From The Word
by Ray Perryman
The Will to Win
by Dan Hoge
"If you think you're too small to make a difference,
you haven't been in bed with a mosquito."
- Anita Roddick
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Big Shoes To Fill
Darrell Anderson Directing the Purebred Industry
by Terrell Buck
Imagine if your job description read, "To provide leadership and implement programs, services, and technology to enhance the value, influence, and image of purebred Durocs, Hampshires, Landrace, and Yorkshires in all segments of the swine industry." Now that is a sizeable responsibility! But, if this mission statement for the four-breed consortium is to be carried out to its full potential, someone is going to have to oversee it all. That someone is Darrell Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of the National Swine Registry (NSR).
Anderson has served as CEO since 1994, when the Duroc, Hampshire, and Yorkshire breed associations joined together to form the NSR. Four years later, the American Landrace Association became the fourth affiliate.
Anderson grew up on a swine and sheep operation in Sherburn, Minn. He attended college at South Dakota State University, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. While enrolled at SDSU, he also participated on the meats, livestock, and wool judging teams. Upon graduation, he worked as both a shepherd on the university’s farm and as assistant livestock judging coach while completing two years of graduate studies.
After leaving South Dakota State, Anderson coached the 1980 National Champion 4-H Livestock Judging Team from Minnesota. He served as President of the National Suffolk Association for five years. He also auctioneered and judged sheep shows throughout the United States. Then, in 1987, Anderson began his affiliation with the American Yorkshire Club and served as Executive Secretary for seven years, until the National Swine Registry was formed.
As CEO, Anderson oversees a staff of 17, manages all finances, and is responsible for policy implementation. He additionally meets regularly with the four breed boards of directors, the NSR Executive Committee, and any other committees as needed. One of the biggest challenges Anderson, and the NSR, has faced has been the Long Range Strategic Plan (LRSP) which was a two-year process. The LRSP was put into effect in September of 1999 to allow the NSR to emerge as a viable, vigorous organization serving independent breeders into the next century. "As one of the LRSP committee members stated, ‘We serve a varied and diverse group of breeders.’ It is our job, at the National Swine Registry to provide services for all of them," Anderson says. "Due to the goals of the LRSP, two new positions were created and filled. Rick Pfortmiller was hired as Director of Commercial Services, and Jennifer Shike was hired as Junior Coordinator/Web Site Manager."
Rick Pfortmiller, who joined the NSR staff in April 2000, has been nothing but impressed with Darrell Anderson’s ability to effectively manage the NSR. "I am continually amazed at his ability to manage the business side of the National Swine Registry," Pfortmiller says. "With the hog crisis of 1998 and 1999, Darrell had the foresight to orchestrate a long-range strategic plan for the future of the purebred swine industry. I believe this speaks volumes about this man’s belief and commitment to this industry."
Anderson says one of the easiest decision the Executive Committee has ever made was to implement a national junior association. However, the funding was not available to make it happen until 1998.
"We felt strongly that we had to take any steps necessary to develop leaders in the swine industry," Anderson says. "The NJSA is a mechanism that is capable of accomplishing that goal. Many great leaders have been discovered and developed in the short time the NJSA has been around, both in the Steering Committee and the first elected Board of Directors."
Anderson says,"Like one of the planning members said, ‘The preservation of these lines and of the organization that guards them is possibly the most important challenge of the next generation.’ Who will that generation be?"
He adds, "As my two boys have grown up and left home to start their own careers and lives, many of the memories that we cling to and enjoy the most involve the caring, selecting, and showing of livestock. It is my goal to help as many other families experience those same life-changing activities as possible, and NJSA can be an effective tool to accomplish that."
Anderson is extremely pleased with the success of the NJSA. He anticipates that the association will be able to continually increase educational opportunities for youth, and include education and awareness of the need for ethics. He also hopes young swine enthusiasts will realize the power of the pedigree.
"Some kids have grown up taking the pedigree lightly, simply not realizing what a tool it is," Anderson says.
Anderson is passionate about the purebred industry, whether it is swine, sheep, or any other species. Besides his duties with NSR, he is also involved with the National Pedigreed Livestock Council (NPLC), which is an organization comprised of Executive Officers from various breed associations of dairy, horse and pony, sheep, goat, swine and beef species. He recently completed his third term as President of the NPLC.
"Darrell believes strongly in the purebred business," Robin Lucas, NSR Administrative Assistant says. "He has shown this by serving on the board of NPLC, NPPC, and as President of NASR."
Anderson and his wife, Merlene, have been married for 26 years and have two sons, Ben, 23, and Greg, 20. Ben married his wife, Shelly, in 1999. A recent graduate of Indiana State University, he works for a building contractor in Indianapolis. Greg is a junior at Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind. Greg is student body president at Bethel College. Merlene is a receptionist at a landscaping firm.
Merlene and Darrell spend their free time with their llamas. "We purchased four llamas last year, and really enjoy them," Merlene says.
Anderson is a devoted Christian, who lives by this scripture, "But by the grace of God, I am what I am." (I Cor 15:10)
Anderson says, "The older I get, the more I realize that if it weren’t for the grace of God, my life really would be very meaningless, and quite ineffective."
In addition to his strong faith, Anderson is a dedicated family man and businessman. The NJSA could not have become a reality without his help and support, and the entire Board of Directors wish to extend thanks to a great man.
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Breaking the World Record!
Creager Family Sells CEO for $220,000
by Terrell Buck
It was the afternoon of July 7, 2001, in Louisville, Ky., when Todd Creager walked the Summer Type Conference Grand Champion Yorkshire boar, one of the most popular Yorkshire boars of all time, into the sale ring. A few minutes later, auctioneer Dan Baker dropped the hammer and said, "SOLD." Todd had just sold the world record-selling boar of all-time, C.E.O., for $220,000 to Lifeline Genetics.
Larrie Moyers, founder and owner of Lifeline Genetics, says, "I invested in this boar because C.E.O. is the best, most complete Yorkshire boar I’ve seen. He possesses an outstanding genotype and phenotype. He has the potential to sire great show barrows as well as improve the Yorkshire breed by producing wide based, sound, heavy structured, lean, heavy muscled pigs that have the show pig look."
Darrell Anderson, National Swine Registry chief executive officer, never imagined he would experience a sale like the 2001 Summer Type Conference. "At the formation of the NSR in 1994, I thought that the previous record of $42,500, a record that stood for nearly 20 years, would be broken by boars selling within the $50,000 to $75,000 range," Anderson says. "I never dreamed that any boar would exceed six digits. I believe the sale of C.E.O. is very positive for promoting our business as well as creating popularity to purebred swine enthusiasts of all ages."
Darrell adds, "It is neat to see a young man that has worked hard, like Todd, to build up a herd overtime and make this sale. It is very inspiring to everyone that has high hopes and dreams of making a big sale someday."
As for Todd Creager, he was more surprised than anyone after selling
C.E.O. for that unbelievable price. After all, during Todd’s many years of showing in 4-H, he never exhibited a breed champion, much less a grand champion on any level. In fact, as a 4-H member, it seemed the only competition he could win was showmanship contests at county fairs and one State Fair.
Todd was raised on a family farm, operating a 60-head sow commercial operation while farming on the side. After graduating from high school in 1984, Todd moved to Columbus, Ohio, to attend The Ohio State University. While pursuing a degree in Animal Science, Todd ran the test station and became acquainted with some very influential people in his life, including Bill Funderburg.
After graduating from OSU in 1988, Todd took a job running a 600-head commercial feeder pig operation for four months Then, he was hired by Bill Funderburg at Twin Pine Farms. Todd became better acquainted with the purebred swine industry while working at Twin Pine Farms for 2 1/2 years.
In 1991, Todd decided to move his family back home to Wauseon, Ohio, and begin raising purebred Yorkshires and Hampshires in partnership with his father. After selling the commercial hogs off the farm, Todd repopulated the herd with purebred Twin Pine Yorkshires. These Yorkshires were the last hogs to set foot on the Creager Family Farm that were not born there. Later, Todd added the Hampshire herd with purebred Hampshire litters from Drake Purebred Farms.
"From a herd health standpoint, it was very important that we didn’t bring outside hogs on the farm," Todd says.
Now, 10 years later, Todd and his father have 100 sows - 60 Yorkshires, 20 Hampshires, and 20 crossbreds.
"We keep a few boars around to use, but more than 80 percent of the sows are artificially inseminated to boars in boar studs," he says. Amazingly enough, Todd and his father farm 1,000 acres of farmland as well as run the hog farm with no outside hired help.
The Creager family has experienced great success, especially in the past year. It began at the 2000 Summer Type Conference with the boar, "Built for Speed," who sold in the parking lot for $12,000 to Jim McCoy. Todd generously gave 13 percent of that price to the NJSA, starting a chain reaction leading others to donate percentages of their "parking lot" sales to our organization. One month later, Todd’s oldest daughter, Taylor, exhibited a home-raised barrow that was named Grand Champion at the Ohio State Fair. In November, Todd sold the Reserve Grand Champion Weanling Pig at the Fall Classic for $10,500, as well as a boar off the farm for $30,000 to Hi Point Swine Genetics.
Finally, at the 2001 Summer Type Conference, Todd exhibited both the Grand Champion Yorkshire boar and gilt selling for $220,000 and $14,000 respectively. He donated $1,000 of the gilt price to the NJSA.
"The majority of the money we made from these sales will be invested back in the swine industry or saved to put our children through college," Todd says. "I don’t plan on adding to my herd because without hiring someone to help, my dad and I would not have time to take care of any more animals."
In addition to being a purebred swine producer, Todd is also a family man. Todd and his wife, Patti, have been married 12 years. They have two daughters, Taylor and Bailey, and one son, Mason.
Todd says, "I believe that getting my kids involved in showing pigs has brought my family closer together."
Todd’s future goal is to continue dealing with people with the same honesty and integrity that he did in the years before C.E.O. or shall we say "B.C."
On behalf of the NJSA, I want to thank Todd for his contributions to the NJSA. But more importantly, I would like to thank him for setting a good example for tomorrow’s swine producers by treating others with an extreme amount of honesty, integrity and gratitude.
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Judging Livestock: Hog Market Selection
by Jennifer Shike
Judging market hogs is much easier when you stop and consider the purpose of a market hog. Market hogs should combine the performance characteristics that will make them efficient and profitable for the producer, carcass characteristics that are desired by the packer, and the quality of pork the consumer demands.
Market hogs are the end product of a breeding program. Therefore, the ideal market hog should represent a program that stands for compositional correctness, growth rate, and design. In order to accomplish this, the ideal market hog must have the following characteristics: leanness and muscle, structure and balance, frame and maturity.
My judging coach, Dan Hoge, gave me some important judging advice when I was a member of his team. He told me to judge market hogs from the ground up. Keep this in mind when you first look at a class of market hogs. Base width is an excellent indicator of muscle. The ideal market hog should possess as much base width, rib, and lean muscle shape as possible, without sacrificing structure. From behind, market hogs should be wide bladed, square and descript down their top (lean along their loin edge), and expressive through their ham and stifle. An ideal market hog should excel in total body leanness through their shoulder, tenth rib and lower third.
Frame size and maturity are important factors in determining lean growth. Market hogs that are more extended, taller fronted and have more distance from knee to ground are later in their maturity and should experience more lean gain to heavier weights. Finally, from a showring standpoint, the ideal market hog should be attractive and well balanced. It should be long and clean fronted, level in its topline, and set high at the base of its tail.
Just as I mentioned in the last issue of the Pinnacle, livestock judging requires continuous practice and hard work. The best livestock judges seek advice from more experienced judges and breeders. Pay attention to the judges’ comments this fall.
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What do you know about the...
National Pedigreed Livestock Council
by Brad Coffman
PURPOSE: The National Pedigreed Council Livestock (NPLC), is an organization that deals with the concerns and promotion of all purebred livestock.
WHEN WAS IT FOUNDED? 30 years ago
HEADQUARTERS: West Brattleboro, Vt.
DAILY OPERATIONS: Secretary Zane Akins has served the organization for the past 12 years performing all daily operations.
MEMBERS: Currently the NPLC is made up of over 60 breeds of livestock consisting mainly of beef cattle and horse breeds. Recently the NPLC has added breed registries of other species, including llamas, alpacas, elk, and bison to their list of breeds represented by the organization.
MEETINGS: The NPLC holds two meetings each year to discuss any new challenges involving breed association activities, along with the livestock industry in general.
CURRENT ISSUES: The two main issues that the NPLC is paying close attention to this year are DNA gene research work, including parentage verification, and continued monitoring of Foot and Mouth Disease. Gene discovery research is being performed at several labs in the United States and Canada dealing with trait analysis in several species of livestock. Other issues that are being discussed include conversion from blood typing to DNA in horses and cattle, DNA markers for marbling in beef, and cloning.
NSR INVOLVEMENT: Darrell Anderson, CEO of the National Swine Registry, has served as president of the NPLC for the past three years. Anderson has been involved with the NPLC for 15 years and says he thoroughly enjoys being a part of this great organization.
For more information, contact:
Zane Akins
272 Meetinghouse Lane
Brattleboro, Vermont 05301
(802) 257-9396
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Thoughts From The Word
by Ray Perryman, Short Round Ministries
everyone! It seems as though it’s been forever since I last got to write to y’all. Our column today comes from 2 Kings, Chapter 6. It seems that a great prophet, Elisha, had made some very important people mad, and they didn’t take it too lightly. One morning after a good night’s sleep, Elisha’s servant woke up and went outside to stretch. Lo and behold, an army had encircled them with plans to make bad things happen for Elisha and his servant.
Well like you and I do most of the time, the servant ran back into the tent scared out of his wits because of the circumstances he found himself in. Now listen to what the servant said very closely. The servant looked at the great prophet Elisha and said, "Oh my Lord, what shall we do?” Now I don’t know about you, but I probably would have been wetting my britches if I woke up and found I was surrounded by an army of men who were there for one reason only - to kill me.
This is where the story gets real interesting. And, if we’re not careful, we might learn something from it. Elisha woke up, looked his servant in the eyes, and said, "Don’t be afraid." Now my reply would have been, “Yeah, right. I’m out of here.” Then Elisha did something else. He prayed that his servant’s eyes would be opened so he could see things the way God was seeing them.
So sure enough, the servant’s spiritual eyes were opened and he saw chariots of fire all around Elisha and himself. You see, no matter what situation you and I find ourselves in, we need to stop for a moment and realize that God has a plan for us. He always has our best interest at heart. If we could do that, than we’d notice during the most troublesome times of our lives, there are always chariots of fire sent from heaven encamped around us ready to lend a hand if we will only ask.
Remember Jesus loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with each of you. It’s not him stopping it from happening. It’s us. So set back, take a deep breath and just simply ask him in your life if you have never done it. I promise you he will answer.
In Christ,
Ray Perryman & Family
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The Will To Win
by Dan Hoge
So much has been said and written about the importance of winning in our society, that often the entire concept has lost its real meaning. For example, a great deal of money and attention is concentrated in the marketing of college and professional athletics. In the promotion of a sport or sports-related product, companies have developed many clever slogans about winning. The one that I always keep coming back to is, "The will to win is nearly as important as the will to prepare to win." The victory is in the preparation, rather than the prize.
As I look back over my years as a parent, 4-H leader, teacher and coach, the greatest moments of triumph were not in the announcement of winning, but in the determination to prepare to exhibit livestock or participate with a team on a competitive base.
Although both of our children, Kathy and Mark, are grown now, the lessons they learned through the raising and exhibiting of livestock still affect their lives daily. The sense of commitment and the "never give up" attitude that they developed thorough the highs and lows of 4-H and FFA livestock project involvement has been far more important than any ribbons or trophies they received.
Our daughter, Kathy, was born with a form of autism called Auspergers Disease and has realized many limitations in her life. Without a doubt, her involvement as a 10-year achievement 4-H member showing steers has been the highlight of her life and produced many positive experiences along the way. In the life of a person with special needs, the days of "winning" are few and far between. But the weeks and months of teaching steers to lead so well that anyone could lead them, and rinsing and working hair in preparation for shows are those times that we will all remember as a family. As Kathy prepares for Special Olympics each year, the principles of preparation developed through showing have been the most apparent.
As well, with our son, Mark, the principles of preparation in order to be successful in competition were established at an early age in his life. The concepts of finishing what you start and never, never giving up always seems to be associated with winning.
Our greatest times have always been in the preparation. I’ll always treasure the times when the entire family gets involved in the decisions such as which gilts to keep and which boars we will attempt to AI with. The anticipation of farrowing, the preparation involved, the long nights in the winter months trying to get a uniform, vigorous litter on the ground and started nursing are special to any person who loves the livestock industry as we do. This is an important part of that preparation. It’s an annual occasion at our farm to watch the pigs develop while listening to all of the family members discuss their favorite barrow, and who is going to turn out the best. These fundamentals are some of the little things that Deana and I have attempted to instill in our children to show them the real components of winning.
The principles of teaching and coaching a livestock judging team are also applicable to the concept of winning. I constantly remind our teams that those who fail to prepare, prepare to fail. In life, as in livestock showing or judgingcompetitions, always concentrate on winning, rather than on not losing. It has been stated many times that success comes in cans – failure comes in can’ts. It makes little difference whether you are producing champion youth, champion livestock judging teams or champion hogs – it always takes a little more to make a champion. Remember, the real victory is in the preparation, rather than the prize.
Dan Hoge and his wife, Deanna, reside in Cambridge, Ill. However, they spend much of their time at Deanna’s parents’ farm in Walnut, Ill., where their family operates a small herd of sows used primarily to produce quality market hogs for the show ring. Dan and Deanna have two children, Kathy and Mark. Kathy lives in Kewanee, Ill. Mark and his wife, Katie, live in Lansing, Mich. Dan coaches the Black Hawk College East Campus livestock judging team in Kewanee. In addition to coaching many winning teams, he has judged numerous livestock shows throughout the country. Some of these shows include the Houston Livestock Show, the steers, market hogs, and junior breeding gilts at the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, the junior market swine at the Fort Worth Stock Show, and the National Western steer show. As well he has judged numerous breeds at the National Barrow Show, many national junior cattle shows , and many state fairs.
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