The Pork Podcast

Showing livestock has taught Olivia Shike much more than how to care for animals and present them in the show ring — it’s opened doors for a future in animal agriculture. She joins her mom, host Jennifer Shike, on The PORK Podcast to reflect on her last summer at home working in the show barn and the lessons she has gleaned through 4-H, FFA, Team Purebred and the National Junior Swine...

A true pork power couple, Rob and Char Brenneman of Washington, Iowa define a symbiotic relationship. Word on the street is that “Rob is the gas pedal and Char is the brakes!” The farm team is quick to point out that they are both good drivers because nobody is slamming on either pedal unnecessarily and there is always a check and balance in play. Today they join the podcast to discuss...

The passion and leadership Clay Zwilling brings to the purebred swine industry as CEO of the National Swine Registry is not only creating opportunities for purebred swine breeders and show pig breeders, but it’s also opening doors for the next generation to find their future in the swine industry. The purebred swine industry is constantly changing and evolving to help pig enthusiasts find a...

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Are you a stock show parent or thinking about getting your kids involved in showing livestock? In this episode, we sit down with Emily Spray—better known as The Funny Fair Mom—to reveal the real-life challenges and rewards of being a stock show mom. Emily shares honest advice on handling comparison, helping kids through disappointment, and focusing on what truly matters at livestock sh...

JayJay Goodvin, the man who recently ate a pork tenderloin in every Iowa county, shines a light on rural America, agriculture and the food that unites people. Although he’s not engaged in production agriculture every day, the work he does on behalf of agriculture, particularly the pork industry, is changing lives and creating opportunities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

Dr. Clayton Johnson is a champion of the pig, there’s no doubt about that. When he steps onto the stage to speak, the room instantly quiets and people can’t get enough of what he has to say. It’s his perspective and wisdom, his experience and application, but I think a big part of his draw is the passion and urgency in his messages. Johnson joins The PORK Podcast to discuss the h...

When you think about Josh Maschhoff, many things come to mind. He’s a husband, father, president, son, nephew, firefighter, friend, church elder, coach, sixth-generation hog farmer and director of production and flow for The Maschhoffs, to name a few. What he is not is an overly emotional person, says his wife, Angela, until you get him talking about the family business. See omnystudio.com/l...

Scott Hays never imagined a Missouri farm boy would be doing what he’s doing today. When he was told he couldn’t come back to the farm without trying something else first, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. His Army training taught him the value of courage and seeking to better understand other people. This served him well as he moved back home to raise pigs for the next 35 years and eventu...

Although she projects calm composure in nearly every situation, National Pork Producers Council Vice President of Government Affairs Maria C. Zieba admits some days are easier than others. Still, her passion for the pig farmers she represents fuels her to keep going despite challenging circumstances. She joins the podcast to discuss the hottest topics in Washington, DC, including trade, Propositio...

As one of the youngest executive directors of a state swine organization, Seth Mitchell’s path is one that’s turning heads. The first person selected for the Pork Industry Immersion Program, a two-year deep dive into organizational leadership in the swine industry, Mitchell is blazing trails at the Nebraska Pork Producers Association and reminding the younger generation of the importan...

As generations become further removed from the farm, the need for people who can educate and inspire the next generation of livestock industry leadership has never been greater. From the classroom to the judging contest to the show ring, Dan Hoge is one of the greatest of all times. He opens up about 55 years of inspiring the next generation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether she’s busy on the farm or speaking in front of the Senate on behalf of America’s pork producers, NPPC Past President Lori Stevermer models speaking out and showing up for who and what you believe in. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes waiting for answers to questions causes us to miss opportunities in agriculture. Tracy Walder, author of "The Unexpected Spy," shares how saying “yes” led her to an incredible career in the CIA and FBI chasing down terrorists. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meat industry entrepreneur and innovator Doug Hankes of Western Smokehouse Partners joins the podcast to discuss how calculated risks changed the trajectory of his life and family business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s just something about the way love sparks in a pig barn. For the Archers and the Sidwells, this proved to be the perfect place for authenticity, trust and friendship to explode into a love that has stood the test of time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you hear the Hord name, it’s quickly associated with farming excellence. However, it's their unwavering commitment to their faith and core values that sets them apart. For the Hord family, this isn’t just something they put on a sign on the wall, it’s how they live their lives personally and professionally. Their values impact their farm team based in their Ohio home communi...

In the fourth edition of the State of the Pork Industry Report, Farm Journal’s PORK editor Jennifer Shike asks experts to share takeaways and lessons learned from 2024 from PRRS and labor turnover to third-party Prop 12 audits and influenza. Listen to Cara Haden, veterinarian with Pipestone; Randy Kuker, director of swine production for The Equity; Adam Annegers, sow production manager at JB...

The Dadson family's iconic TikToks, shorts, videos and reels about showing pigs are capturing attention worldwide. Not only are these videos reaching other youth exhibitors, but they are bringing awareness of the stock show industry to the general public who just can't get enough of their story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The PORK Podcast wraps up 2024 on a more personal note. Jennifer Shike’s husband, Dan, a University of Illinois professor, joins her to tackle what it means to try to win and why mentoring matters to parenting lessons and how the stock show industry has influenced their lives. Get ready for a little extra on this one. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Is influenza a greater concern to pigs and people now in light of the Oct. 30 USDA announcement that H5N1 was detected for the first time ever in a pig at a backyard Oregon farm? If so, how? Andrew Bowman, DVM, one of the country's top swine influenza experts, joins The PORK Podcast to answer that question and more during a special report on H5N1. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

It’s true that Scott Dee, a retired veterinarian with Pipestone, has thought about porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) more than most people throughout his lifetime. He joins The PORK Podcast to discuss how PRRS started, what producers are facing today, and how the industry needs to move forward to win the battle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From protecting farmers’ freedom to operate to reflecting on her collegiate livestock judging experiences to balancing motherhood with a demanding career, Oklahoma Pork Council Executive Director Kylee Deniz proves why she's 'team everything.' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois pork producer Hannah Miller shares about winning the National FFA Swine Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award and what she's learned from starting up her own show pig herd while balancing life as a high school student. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.