To The Front

Episode 19 Summary: This week on To The Front , Tony Morris and Thomas Gross answer listener questions about getting new show pigs started on feed, monitoring their health, and washing pigs during cold weather. Starting New Pigs How long does it take a new pig to adjust? The guys discuss feed transitions, consistent feeding routines, gut health, water intake, and why giving pigs time to settle in...

Episode 18: Which Feed To Use, Ideal Market Weight and Show Pig Gut Health  Episode Summary: This week on To The Front, Tony Morris and Thomas Gross discuss three key topics for show-pig exhibitors: Choosing Show Feed: Start with your breeder’s recommendation, then prioritize a feed that is high quality, fresh, readily available, and consistent. Several major brands make good feeds, so consistency...

Episode: Confusing Judging Terms, Part II Episode Summary: In this episode of To The Front , Tony Morris and Thomas Gross dive back into some of the confusing judging terms exhibitors hear in the show ring. They break down what judges mean when they describe a pig as short-backed, looking like a show pig, or dense, while also discussing the differences between what wins in the show ring and what h...

Episode: Finding & Selecting Your Next Show Calf with Jon Gevelinger Episode Summary In this episode of To The Front, Tony Morris is joined by special guest Jon Gevelinger to talk about selecting your next show calf and setting your family up for success. They discuss why the "best" calf isn't always the best calf for your family, how to define your goals before buying, the importance of findi...

Episode 15: How Do You Know If You Should Even Show Livestock? Episode Summary In this episode of To The Front , Tony Morris and Thomas Gross tackle a bigger question facing livestock families: Should you even show livestock? Following their experiences at the Indiana State Fair, they discuss what makes the livestock project worthwhile beyond winning a banner, how families can balance different ki...

Episode Summary County fair season always brings new lessons and in this episode of To The Front , Tony Morris and Thomas Gross are joined by special guest Charley Morris , fresh off her Grand Champion county fair win. Together, they reflect on the highs of fair week, share what they learned from this year's experience, and discuss why enjoying the journey can be just as important as bringing home...

Episode Summary County fair season is one of the most exciting—and sometimes stressful—times of the year for livestock families. In this episode of To The Front , Tony Morris and Thomas Gross answer listener questions about preparing for your first county fair, managing livestock through long fair schedules, and why county fairs can feel more competitive than any other show. From practical feeding...

Walking Pigs, Beating the Heat & Helping Anxious Showmen Episode Summary In this episode of To The Front , Tony Morris and Thomas Gross answer three timely listener questions covering everyday challenges faced by livestock exhibitors. They discuss effective walking routines for show pigs, practical ways to manage heat stress during the summer months, and strategies for helping young exhibitors...

Show Pig Problems: Bad Hair, Fast Gains & Cracked Backs Episode Summary In this episode of To The Front , Tony Morris and Thomas Gross answer three common questions from stock show families. They discuss how to improve dingy skin and hair on white pigs, the best strategies for putting weight on a pig quickly without sacrificing quality, and how to identify and treat cracked backs before they b...

Episode 10: How to Read a Feed Tag | Show Pig Edition Episode Summary In this episode of To The Front , Tony Morris and Thomas Gross simplify one of the most intimidating parts of feeding show pigs: understanding the feed tag. They walk through what every feed tag includes, explain the purpose of key nutrients like protein, lysine, fat, and fiber, and discuss how those nutrients affect muscle, bod...

Episode 9: How to Hold Show Pigs Episode Summary In this episode of  To The Front , Tony Morris and Thomas Gross discuss one of the biggest challenges in the show pig industry: holding pigs to hit a target weight without sacrificing quality. They break down the difference between slow rolling and holding, when to start making adjustments, the key nutrients involved, and how to avoid common mistake...

Episode 8: Meet The Intern – Livestock Judging, Internships & Preparing for Life After College Episode Summary In this episode of  To The Front , Thomas Gross sits down with TTF Nutrition intern  McKenna Sobasky to discuss her journey through the livestock industry, her success in collegiate livestock judging, and the lessons she's learned preparing for life after college. From growing up rais...

In this episode of To The Front , Tony Morris and Thomas Gross tackle some of the most commonly misunderstood terms heard in livestock judging. From "fresh" and "green" to "funneling at the ground" and "flat-caged," they break down what judges are really describing and how exhibitors can better understand the language used in the show ring. Whether you're new to livestock judging or looking to sha...

Episode 106: How to Build Confident Showmen, Good Barn Habits and Red Flags for Buying Livestock In this episode of  To The Front , Tony Morris and Thomas Gross answer listener questions about building confidence in young showmen, developing habits that lead to success, and what to look for when purchasing livestock. Key Topics & Timestamps 00:01:10 – 00:09:58 | Building Confidence in Young Sh...

Episode Summary: What Makes a Good Judge, Hydrating for Jackpot Shows and Daily Skin and Hair Routines In this episode of  To The Front , Tony Morris and Thomas Gross answer listener questions about what makes a great livestock judge, how to properly use electrolytes, and their daily skin and hair care routines. Key Topics & Timestamps 00:01:14 – 00:08:18 | What makes a good livestock judge? T...

Electrolytes, Hard Bodied Gilts and Goats are Picky Eaters In this episode of To The Front, Tony Morris and Thomas Gross answer listener questions about using electrolytes at jackpot shows, managing hard-bodied gilts while controlling weight, and helping picky-eating goats stay on feed and in condition. Key Topics & Timestamps 00:02:20 – 00:04:36 | Why Should You Use Electrolytes at Jackpot Sh...

The conversation covers topics related to livestock showing, including teaching pigs to walk with their heads up, creating effective videos for breeders, and understanding judging terminology such as 'sleeker' cattle. The hosts provide practical tips and insights for stock show families. Takeaways Teaching pigs to walk with head up requires early training and the use of effective tools. Creating e...

On this episode of To The Front , Tony and Thomas recap a weekend full of jackpot shows, family memories, and life lessons from the barn before diving into listener questions covering feeding strategies, building shape and muscle, and the rising cost of show livestock. Feeding Tight-Moving Pigs The guys break down how to manage tight-moving pigs and those pinched through their ham-loin junction, i...

On this episode of To the Front , Tony and Thomas tackle three common challenges Stock Show families face: learning how to feed, handling gilts in heat at a show, and getting animals properly show broke. They kick things off by answering a listener question about feeding—emphasizing that no matter your experience level, everyone is still learning. From leaning on trusted mentors and breeders to un...