2022 Oklahoma Pork Pages

Official annual magazine of the Oklahoma Pork Council | Volume 26

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS President | Joe Popplewell, Stillwater President-Elect | Angie Johnson, Holdenville Vice President | Robert Teel, Texhoma Treasurer | Joe Locke, Marietta BOARD MEMBERS Thomas Craig, Yukon Sheila Kelso, Woodward Dottie King, Allen Tom Layne, Enid Robert Peffley, Seminole Bas Werner, Kingfisher EX-OFFICIO Dr. Scott Carter, Stillwater Brett Ramsey, Jones

STAFF

Executive Director Kylee Deniz | kdeniz@okpork.org Business Coordinator Matti Allen | mallen@okpork.org Marketing and Communications Manager Paige Endres | pendres@okpork.org Industry Relations Manager Ashton Johnston | ajohnston@okpork.org Ambassador Tré Smith | intern@okpork.org

Throughout the magazine, you will see QR codes to learn more or watch videos connected to the stories you read. Simply scan the QR code with your phone’s camera, click the link that appears, and you will be taken to a new page.

I am so excited for the 2022 Oklahoma Pork Pages publication to reach your mailboxes. I hope this year’s issue displays new vision and thought leadership as our team plans for the future.

Happy reading!

Paige Endres Marketing and Communications Manager Oklahoma Pork Contributors | Ashton Johnston, Steve Lerch and Tré Smith

ON THE COVER Smithfield Foods hosted the Pork Checkoff for a PQA photoshoot in May. Paige Endres was invited to attend and captured photos including the cover shot, which sparked the idea for Oklahoma Pork’s digital marketing strategy.

Featured on the cover is Edgar Campuzano.

For example, visit the Oklahoma Pork website below!

@okpork Oklahoma Pork Pages is the official publication of the Oklahoma Pork Council and is published once a year. The 2022 publication is a reflection of events that took place during 2021. Programs are made available to pork producers without regard to race, color, sex, religion or national origin.

Oklahoma Pork is an equal opportunity employer. All Oklahoma Pork Pages inquiries should be directed to Paige Endres at the Oklahoma Pork office.

FEATURED ARTICLES IN OKLAHOMA PORK COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC INTENTION AREAS

04 President Speaks

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the Newly-Elected Board Members 07 Meet of the 2021-2022 Board of Directors 14 Welcoming New Faces 22 Oklahoma Gives A Ham

12 16 24

26

27

New Frontiers are on the Horizon

30 Annual Industry Get Together

34

A Special Contribution

36

38

Continuing the Dr. Bill Luce Legacy

46

When Pig Farmers Rally

Joining the Fight Against Hunger

Find Your Passion

42 Dinner with Dr. Hall

Executive Review Feel Good, Give Blood Oklahoma Pork Council Award Winners A Family Affair

okpork.org | 3

hile thinking about what I would write for this article, I reviewed several former issues featuring past Oklahoma Pork Council leaders. As I read our past president and my good friend Cathy Vaughan’s article from 2020, I thought, “WOW…we had no idea what 2020 was going to bring.” We fought through a myriad of adversities that year. Just as we always do in our great state and nation – we’ll continue to face challenges head on as we lean into 2022. In 2020 and 2021, the world faced historic issues in both the human and animal world from COVID-19 and continued concerns with African Swine Fever, respectively. I would be remiss not to pause here and reflect on the friends and family so many of us lost to COVID-19. They and their families will grace our memories and remain in our hearts for many years to come.

We rang in 2021 with the shared hope life would return to its normal, steady rhythm. Instead, it served to remind us “the only thing constant is change.” After a long and successful career as Oklahoma Pork’s executive director, Roy Lee Lindsey left our fold to become the CEO of the North Carolina Pork Council.

Many of us worked alongside Roy Lee, a skilled and influential industry leader, for the majority of the 20 years he served our state and organization. On the heels of a tumultuous 2020, we celebrated Roy Lee’s opportunity while bracing ourselves for the impact of organizational change.

I have spent 3 decades in this industry, and during that time I’ve worked with some truly exceptional people. In the last 5 years, several of the folks I’ve worked with (including some from my very first day at Choate Farm back in 1992) have retired, moved on or passed away. It has caused me to really reflect on the blessings we’ve shared as a community of industry leaders and friends. The lessons learned – and shared – by our membership over the years has allowed each of us to honor our values and support our families while doing jobs we love. They have also helped pave the way for emerging leaders in this industry to confidently look to the future, knowing they’ll be able to adapt and thrive despite the changes that will inevitably come their way. It comforts me to know the legacy of so many colleagues, both past and present, have helped lay a strong foundation for the future.

Now that 2022 is upon us, I’m here to tell you the future of the Oklahoma Pork Council is bright.

As a testament to the level of resilience known only to farmers and ranchers, the challenges we’ve experienced as an industry, state and nation in recent years have ultimately made us stronger.

In response to organizational change, Oklahoma Pork’s search committee successfully hired our new executive director Kylee Deniz in March of 2021. You may have met Kylee, or at least seen the

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announcement when she assumed her role at the Oklahoma Pork Council. In addition to Kylee, we have a great team assembled. Paige Endres, whose hire was one of Roy Lee’s last – and best – decisions on behalf of our organization, is our new and very capable marketing and communications manager, and Ashton Johnston, our latest full-time addition to the team is ready to take on the world as industry relations manager. Last, we welcome Matti Allen to the team – starting part-time and helping fill the office management role as business coordinator. The new ideas and positive energy that have come to this organization as the result of this dynamic team are very exciting. I’m confident they will lead Oklahoma Pork to do great things for our producers across Oklahoma, and I’m grateful to each of you for the role you’ll play as they lean into their careers with Oklahoma Pork.

The year ahead is bound to present new challenges for our industry. But, never forget our response to change is very often more powerful than change itself. Wherever you are in the trajectory of your career, I hope you’ll take a moment to stop and reflect. Thank the people who helped you get where you are, be open to new experiences, and offer a leg up to the future farmers and cowboys who will someday fill our shoes. Enjoy the everyday pleasures and minor frustrations that make an ordinary day feel normal. (After all, it wasn’t long ago we took normal for granted!) Above all, appreciate the time we have and the people we get to share it with. You’re laying the foundation for someone else’s future. Embrace your legacy and lean into it!

Joe Popplewell Board of Directors President Oklahoma Pork

n agriculture, we pride ourselves on doing more with less. We set bold production and profitability targets. We are in the business of caring for our animals, people and the environment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

And, we consider it a great honor to feed the world, yet we are not quick to raise our hand for credit.

Now is the time to pause, take credit and celebrate the impact the Oklahoma pork industry makes on our state and in the lives of Oklahomans.

This pause is about celebrating you and who you are – a key member of Oklahoma’s pork industry.

The most recent Oklahoma pork production economic analysis found the industry’s impact in our state – from hog production, slaughtering, processing and related economic activities – to be estimated at $5.7 billion annually and supportive of more than 34,000 jobs.

Not only does your work equate to significant economic contributions, but is instrumental in putting people to work. I hope you feel a sense of real pride when thinking of the ways our industry provides value to the lives of Oklahomans, which are our friends, neighbors and members of the communities we live.

In reflection of the Oklahoma Pork Council’s work over the past year, I continue to be so impressed by the strong reputation, relationships and stakeholder support. Without question, the trail was blazed previously by the best-in-class Oklahoma Pork staff and producer leaders.

In my new role at Oklahoma Pork, 2021 was a year of listening, learning and asking questions. I am incredibly proud of the dynamic team we have built to serve you. The bold ambitions, creativity, collaborative mindset, innate talent and unwavering commitment of our team is indisputable. There is no doubt this all-in team did real work to bring the Oklahoma Pork Board of Directors vision to life and I hope you enjoy reading about this work in the pages to follow.

As we look to the future, there is no shortage of headwind for our industry. African swine fever is a real threat and knocking on our door now being in the Western Hemisphere for the first time since the 1980s. Our industry’s need for great people to care

for our animals and work on our farms is real. Real questions are being asked by consumers about how pigs are raised, and the social, economic and environmental sustainability factors of our industry.

The uptick of animal agriculture opposition efforts and meatless agendas are a stark reality. And yet, our industry’s commitment to providing a safe, affordable and nutritious protein to Oklahomans and consumers around the world is unwavering.

On your behalf, the Oklahoma Pork team will remain focused on what we can positively influence and relentlessly share your great farm story.

I consider the opportunity to cast vision for Oklahoma Pork, answer to the Board of Directors and serve Oklahoma’s pork producers a great privilege.

Please always feel welcomed to stop by the office to say “hello” or give us a call with an idea, need or feedback. I hope for good herd health and business prosperity for you this year.

Thank you for this opportunity to serve you!

Kylee Deniz Executive Director Oklahoma Pork

okpork.org | 5

Stronger together.

Our industry is evolving. With change comes more uncertainty, but also more innovation and collaboration. At PIC, we’re inspired by our industry’s resilience, and we’re committed to your success.

Whatever your goals and challenges are, we will use our strengths to help you meet your objectives. Together, we’re stronger.

Success.

PIC.com | 800-325-3398 | PIC.info@genusplc.com

Contact your PIC representative today. ©PIC 2022.

TOM LAYNE | West District | Term Ends: 2024 Tom Layne serves as the human resource manager for The HANOR Company of Enid. He has worked in the pork industry since 1997, and prior to his pork industry experience, he served in the U.S. Army.

JOE LOCKE | West District | Term Ends: 2022 Joe Locke is the senior director of live operations for Seaboard Foods. He has worked in the pork industry since graduating from Oklahoma State University in 1993, and recently celebrated his 20-year anniversary with Seaboard in July 2021.

ROBERT PEFFLEY | East District | Term Ends: 2024 Robert Peffley has worked as a pod business manager for Tyson Foods since 2017. Peffley has worked in the pork industry since 1988, where he has held positions at Dekalb, Smithfield Foods, Prestage Farms, and now, Tyson.

BAS WERNER | At-Large | Term Ends: 2024 Bas Werner is the operations training manager for Seaboard Foods. He has worked in the pork industry, both within and outside the U.S., since 1987.

okpork.org | 7

Oklahoma thinks digitally with additional National Pork Board grant funding

ikTok’s 1 billion users spend more than 14 hours on the app every month. And yes, it is more than just teenagers doing weird dances. Every minute, more than 500 hours of video get uploaded to YouTube. And yes, it is more than just cat videos.

Facebook has nearly 3 billion users, just slightly smaller than the combined populations of Africa, Europe, North American, and South America. And yes, it is more than just memes and fake news.

As a population, we search, shop, share, learn, read, watch and interact more and more through screens every year, especially after a global pandemic that brought phrases like virtual learning, online ordering, and Zoom calls into our collective global vernacular.

Yet, for so many food brands, agriculture companies and Checkoff programs, when it is time to influence consumers, we put up billboards, buy magazine ads, run on the radio or place commercials on the Food Network.

Far too commonly we ignore not only the titanic shift toward more time spent online, but also the avalanche of available data and consumer trends that are only discoverable and actionable through digital-first marketing.

We do these things because we have done them in the past, and we have been more or less 8 | PORK PAGES

satisfied. We do these things because they are familiar, they are comfortable, and because when we look around the room at our peers and our competitors, they are doing the same things.

The Oklahoma Pork Council is not satisfied with strategies that are familiar, comfortable, and that more or less work. We want better and we want more, and we are embracing technology, data and all things digital to get us there. Oklahoma Pork is not following, we are leading.

In mid-2021, the National Pork Board announced the availability of $1 million in additional supplemental grant funds for state pork association programing.

Despite producing only 5 percent of the nation’s pork, we had bold aspirations and requested 16.5 percent of the funds. We knew we had a powerful story to tell to the people of Oklahoma, and we wanted to shift the way we told it.

Our plan was to build a digital-first communication and marketing system. Not just to reach the droves of consumers spending increasing amounts of time online, but to sophisticate our approach to targeting, measurement, and storytelling. We wanted to make sure that every penny we spend telling the Oklahoma pork industry story gets spent on the exact right audience, at the right time, in the most compelling format possible.

We brought in former Google executive Steve Lerch as a consultant to help us craft our strategy.

Lerch had previously built digital strategies for everyone from Avocados From Mexico to Cotton’s The Fabric of Our Lives. Equally important for our aspirations of moving beyond traditional Pork Checkoff strategies, Lerch also previously led Google’s marketing relationship with cutting edge, innovative brands like GoPro and Roku.

Paige Endres, marketing and communications manager, led the collaborative development of our grant proposal with guidance from our executive director, Kylee Deniz. Deniz presented the plan on the national stage, and in August 2021, Oklahoma Pork walked away with every bit of the $165,000 we requested for our digital-first mission.

With grant dollars in hand, we started our mission of using digital strategies to accomplish two independent, but related goals: Goal One – Strengthen support and positive sentiment for all elements of the Oklahoma Pork industry. Think of this as building a protective moat around our industry, but in the minds of Oklahomans. When our industry is under attack, we want Oklahoman’s to know we care about our animals, are good stewards of the land and provide thousands of jobs for our local communities.

Goal Two – Help to fill the labor gap by connecting job seekers with the great pork companies all across Oklahoma. With funding secured and goals set, we developed an advertising

campaign that maximized effectiveness by minimizing waste.

Here is how we did it: We used Google Ads – Google Ads is the largest digital ad platform in the world and includes Google Search, YouTube and millions of display ad placements across the internet.

By using one platform, as opposed to several small platforms, we are more efficient with our time.

Google Ads also allows maximum flexibility with no commitments. If something does not work, we stop immediately. If something does work, we shift additional dollars to it immediately.

We did as much in-house as possible – Endres makes our creative internally. She also helps build and manage our digital campaigns.

Lerch serves as an advisor and helps the team accumulate more skills and knowledge internally.

This means we avoid substantial agency and ad serving fees.

We targeted specific audiences – For goal one, we targeted people with an active interest in local news impacting Oklahomans and who have expressed a consistent interest in topics like politics, the economy, and the business world.

For goal two, we used a Google targeting option called in-market audiences, which actually allows us to show our ads exclusively to Oklahomans who are actively looking for a job (something Google can determine based on past behaviors, like websites visited and previous searches).

We measured and optimized – We measure absolutely everything. We use this data to better understand our impact and ensure we are maximizing our grant dollars, but it also gives us the information we need to make changes and optimizations in real time. We can redesign ads, change targeting strategies and shift budgets based on immediate feedback from users.

Over the first three months of our campaign, we served up our pro-pork message more than 34.5 million times, exclusively to those audiences we care about (and exclusively to Oklahomans).

We hit 2.27 million unique consumers, which means during these 3 months, Oklahomans saw our digital ads, on average, more than once a week. Of those Oklahomans, all in our target audiences, 181,025 of them have made the active choice to click our ads, visit our website and learn

more about our industry. We are having a very real impact, and we are just getting started.

The Oklahoma Pork Council is not shifting our focus toward digital to be trendy or cool. We are not chasing a fad. We are not trying new things just so we can say we tried them.

We are taking smart steps forward based on mountains of data, careful planning, and clear and consistent trends in how consumers spend their time. We owe it to the pork producers we represent to lift up this industry with every dollar we spend, by whatever means necessary. And that is exactly why Oklahoma Pork is thinking digital-first.

We’re more than geneticists.

We’re producers too.

While genetics is our science, production is our passion. It keeps us driving forward, 24/7, toward relentless improvement.

You can’t develop world-class genetics without understanding production.

After all, that’s The DNA Way. dnaswinegenetics.com

Spend your passions Wisely.

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Oklahoma Pork hosts Pre-Memorial Day Blood Drive for the fifteenth year

or Lorelei Ross and her father, Kevin Decker, giving blood is not a task they take lightly.

Decker, an Oklahoma City native, donates blood regularly in his daughter’s honor, who is a cancer survivor.

“During my cancer journey, I needed a lot of blood transfusions and blood products,” Ross said.

“I was dependent on a different blood donor from the Oklahoma Blood Institute every day for a month of my life.”

Ross said without those blood donors, she would not be here today. It means a lot to her family when people give their time and themselves to donate blood.

“It means even more to me when my dad does the same thing for others that complete strangers did to save my own life,” she said.

Decker said the reason he is so passionate about giving blood as often as possible is because it was critical for Ross’ life during her cancer journey, and he wants to be the same life saver that so many others were for his daughter.

Ross said it is important to her to utilize her time being an advocate for the Oklahoma blood supply so other people who are going through critical health issues have what they need.

Not only is Ross an advocate for giving blood, but she is also an employee of OBI. “When you are 17 and fighting cancer for two years, it has a big impression on your life and quickly realize you want to do something meaningful with it,” she said.

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Ross began her professional career with OBI because the organization had such an enormous impact on her life, and she wanted to continue to give back to the organization every day.

It was no surprise when the pair walked through the doors of the OBI building for Decker to donate during the Oklahoma Pork Council Pre-Memorial Day Blood Drive.

Decker found importance donating blood during the drive because of his family’s farming ties and desire to support agriculture any way he can.

“Once Lorelei finished her treatment and moved out of the house, we bought a farm in Wellston,” he said. “Now, we get to be the place our kids and grandkids want to come on the weekends and escape from the city life.”

Ross is now seven years cancer-free, and she and her husband welcomed their first-born son, Walker, in August.

For the past 15 years, Oklahoma Pork and the Oklahoma Blood Institute have teamed up for the Pre-Memorial Day Blood Drive.

“Dedication to community involvement is a large part of who Oklahoma pig farmers are,” said Kylee Deniz, Oklahoma Pork executive director.

Deniz said the Pre-Memorial Blood Drive is just one of the ways our farmers and Oklahoma Pork staff give back to the community, and our organization looks forward to this event each year.

Oklahoma Pork Council hires two newly-evolved positions to meet industry need

i there! My name is Ashton Mese Johnston, and I am grateful to have joined the Oklahoma Pork Council staff in September 2021. I am serving in a newly-created roles as industry relations manager, which was modeled after similar positions at other state associations.

This job is honestly so much fun. More importantly, my position is structured to bring real value to our members, policymakers, donors and next-generation leaders. It is an honor for me to serve as a resource and connection point to these key audiences on behalf of Oklahoma’s pork producers. Because of my background and professional passions, I feel right at home on this team and in the work we do every day.

Growing up in Kingfisher, I was a FFA kid counting down until I would be old enough to vote.

I loved agriculture and government, so after high school I studied agricultural communications and agribusiness at Oklahoma State University. My time at OSU was so special, and I always hoped to work closely with my alma mater in my future career.

Throughout the past 10 years, I have cherished working in both state and federal government as a policy and communications advisor for a variety of public officials. One of my career highlights, thus far, has been my time spent on staff at the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture helping to craft, conference and shepherd the 2018 Farm Bill to signage by the president. Whether in D.C. or Oklahoma City – some of my favorite duties have been engaging farmers in the legislative process and mentoring young people with an interest in agriculture leadership.

When I first read the position description for Oklahoma Pork’s industry relations manager, I could not believe a job existed where I could combine so much of what brings me joy. As I now reflect on my first few months on the job, this experience has exceeded even the high bar I set when dreaming of this opportunity.

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I have learned so much about commercial swine production through leading our college leadership program, Pork Industry Group. Showering into my first large-scale sow farm will be a day I remember for the rest of my life! Coordinating Pork Industry Group has also been extremely rewarding because of the relationships I have been able to grow with 12 amazing college students, and I look forward to helping each of them continue to grow in their future pork industry careers.

Another focus of my new role is helping with Oklahoma Pork’s policy portfolio. I really enjoy being a bridge between our elected officials and our producers. It is critical our leaders get accurate information from the real people who raise pigs each day. Thanks to the relationships I have built within agriculture policy on the state and federal levels, I am confident I can add value to help our members share their perspectives.

Thank you for the chance to work in Oklahoma’s pork industry during such an exciting time. Please let me know any way I can help you in my position. I am so thankful to be part of this dynamic team, and I am excited for all we can accomplish together!

Best,

Ashton Mese Johnston Industry Relations Manager Oklahoma Pork

y name is Matti Allen. I recently accepted the business coordinator position at the Oklahoma Pork Council. Taking on this position my last semester of college has been incredible. I never dreamed to get an opportunity like this, especially right before I graduate.

I was raised in Maysville, better described as a small town an hour south of Oklahoma City.

Growing up a small-town kid, agriculture was very important. I joined 4-H when I was nine, and although it sounds cliche, I was the shy girl who hardly talked to anyone. It was through 4-H where I truly found my passion. The older I got, the more involved I became. At a very young age, I was consumed with creative writing, photography contests, meat judging and much more.

However, it wasn’t until my eighth-grade year I joined FFA and got to experience all it has to offer.

This was the year I talked my dad into getting pigs.

A few years later, we decided to branch out a little more and started going to shows on a state and national level. I had no idea the doors this would open for me.

It did not end there. My freshman year, my ag teacher called me up to his desk. He told me they were going on a livestock judging trip, and I was going with them. I hesitantly agreed. I did not know enough about livestock to be going on a judging trip, but this would be the best thing to happen to me yet.

I never would have guessed I would continue to judge livestock on a collegiate level, but I did.

After I graduated high school, I went to Redlands Community College, where I was a member of the livestock judging team. I made some of my favorite memories those two years in community college traveling the country evaluating livestock.

After graduating from Redlands, I decided to further my education at Oklahoma State University, where I am currently pursuing a degree in animal science with an option in business. Kylee was a

guest speaker in our swine science class, and she informed us about Pork Industry Group. I decided this sounded like a great opportunity to try to find my place in the pork industry. I did just that. I met some of the most influential people in the pork industry and heard them talk about their passions.

It opened my eyes to several careers within the industry that I never would have considered.

As the eight-week experience drew to an end, I knew a career in the pork industry was where I belonged, but I did not know exactly what that looked like for me. I talked with Kylee and Paige, and they had informed me a new position was available on their team.

Through all the things I have done in my life thus far, I have made so many connections, met some of my best friends and made memories that will last a lifetime. I have also found my place in an industry where my career goals and my passions collide.

I am excited to get to know all of you in my new role at Oklahoma Pork!

Sincerely,

Matti Allen Business Coordinator Oklahoma Pork okpork.org | 15

Roy Lee Lindsey inducted into the Oklahoma Pork Council Hall of Fame fter his 22-year tenure as executive director of the Oklahoma Pork Council, it likely surprised no one except Roy Lee Lindsey himself that in 2021 he was inducted into the Oklahoma Pork Council Hall of Fame.

Lindsey, who became chief executive officer of the North Carolina Pork Council in 2021, left Oklahoma with an incredible list of accomplishments and a great circle of influence within pork production, government and business.

Induction into the Hall of Fame is the highest honor our state pork organization bestows for longstanding service and commitment to Oklahoma’s pork industry.

“I do not have the right words to express how much I appreciate the Board of Directors, staff, producers and volunteers across the state of Oklahoma for this tremendous honor,” Lindsey said upon announcement of the award.

“When I think about the other folks in the Hall of Fame who have gone in ahead of me and what they have contributed to our industry, I am just not sure I belong in that same mix.”

Prior to leading Oklahoma Pork, Lindsey served as a county extension agent for 4-H youth development in Kansas.

He received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and his master’s degree in agricultural education from Oklahoma State University.

Lindsey became executive director of Oklahoma 16 | PORK PAGES

Pork in December 1998 during a time of rapid expansion and elevation of pork production.

From 1998 to 2020, he managed the day-to-day operations of the Oklahoma Pork team, directed promotions and served the membership, as well as handled all legislative and public policy issues.

Lindsey also invested in Oklahoma youth through 4-H and FFA. For many years, he was the “voice” of the Oklahoma Youth Expo and the Tulsa State Fair, where he served on the swine committee and as the youth swine show announcer.

Since relocating, Lindsey and his wife, Melissa, reside in Apex, North Carolina, with their teenage daughter, Elizabeth.

Even at the helm of the North Carolina Pork Council, Lindsey remains a staunch supporter of Oklahoma’s pork industry.

The board, staff and membership of Oklahoma Pork will always be immeasurably grateful for Lindsey’s 22 years of devoted service and wish him continued success.

Scan below to watch Lindsey’s Hall of Fame award video.

Rob Richard honored with Oklahoma Pork Council Distinguished Service Award he pork industry is full of many greats.

One of those greats happens to live right here in Oklahoma. Rob Richard was recently honored with the Oklahoma Pork Council’s Distinguished Service Award.

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to an individual who has provided outstanding service to Oklahoma Pork and Oklahoma’s pork industry.

“To be honored by the Oklahoma Pork Council is a humbling feeling and an award I am pleased to receive,” he said. “I still look at every day that I get to work in the pork business as my mission to share Christ’s love, passion and mercy with everyone I come in touch with.”

Richard grew up in Wynnewood, and he started his lifelong love with the pork industry while in high school when he and his younger brother, Rick, started a purebred Berkshire and Poland China show pig herd.

After high school, he moved to Stillwater and into the Oklahoma State University Swine Center, where he worked his entire college career.

Richard credits his passion for the pork industry to his first boss at OSU, Kim Brock.

“He taught me how to be a leader,” Richard said. “Today, he continues to serve as my mentor.”

Upon graduation from college in 1983, he went to work for what is now the National Swine Registry.

During his career in the pork industry, Richard has worked for: PIC as a 3,600 sow farm manager, The Pork Group in multiple roles, Pillen Family

Farms as lead officer and Osborne Industries as national sales manager.

Today, Richard is the national account manager for DNA Genetics. He has been in that role for 10 years, and he primarily services the south and southeast United States.

“My career with DNA Genetics is special because it is a culmination of everything I have done throughout all my positions in the industry,” he said.

In addition to his pork industry career, Richard is also passionate about and his alma mater, OSU. He attributes his career successes to these passions.

Richard said his most important job, however, has been being a dad and Grandpa Robbie.

Oklahoma Pork is thankful for the many years of service Richard dedicated to the Oklahoma Pork Board of Directors, where he served as an ex-officio board member.

Scan below to watch Richard’s Distinguished Service award video.

okpork.org | 17

Four Oklahomans receive Oklahoma Pork Council Excellence Award he Oklahoma Pork Council honored John Brown, Aaron and Carla Koerner, Tracy Sharry and Gary Todd with the 2021 Oklahoma Pork Council Excellence Award during the 62nd annual Oklahoma Pork Congress.

The Excellence Award was created to recognize individuals in all areas of pork production for

exceptional commitment to doing their best.

“As an organization, we are always thrilled to recognize hard work and dedication to our industry,” said Kylee Deniz, Oklahoma Pork executive director. “We hope this is just the beginning of the impact these individuals will make in their companies and their communities.”

John Brown is the environmental systems manager for the Smithfield Midwest Region. He was nominated by Cathy Vaughan of Smithfield Foods.

“John has been instrumental in creating great relationships not only with our state agencies, but also with all our farmers and landowners in the areas of our farms,” Vaughan said.

Scan to watch Brown’s Excellence Award video.

Aaron and Carla Koerner are contract growers for The Maschhoffs in Minco.

They were nominated by Thomas Craig, director of production for The Maschhoffs.

“What stands out most is just how much Aaron and Carla are still able to get done every day,” Craig said. “They have been a staple in the swine community in central Oklahoma, both in show pig and commercial operations, and have even served as mentors to a neighboring production partner.”

Scan to watch the Koerners’ Excellence Award video.

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Tracy Sharry is a farm manager with The Maschhoffs in Hinton and was nominated by Thomas Craig, director of production for The Maschhoffs.

“Tracy has always pushed herself to be the best,” Craig said. “She has been one of the top-producing managers in the Maschhoffs system throughout the past two decades, and she is always looking for continuous improvement.”

Scan to watch Sharry’s Excellence Award video.

Gary Todd is the owner of Todd Showpigs in Porter. He was nominated by Tim Guinn, owner of Guinn Farms.

“Gary encourages the kids, helps create feed plans for each hog in the barn, clips pigs for the shows and even helps them haul their animals to and from the shows,” Guinn said. “He is one of the best show pig breeders in Oklahoma.”

Scan to watch Todd’s Excellence Award video.

To learn more about the Excellence Award, or to nominate someone you find deserving, visit okpork.org/excellenceaward. okpork.org | 19

Ending state fair sandwich sales and honoring those who made it happen hile the decision to end sandwich sales was a bittersweet one that Pork Chop Shop fanatics continue to miss, the Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors found it in the organization’s best interest to sell the food trailer instead of investing in needed improvements.

Now is as good a time as ever to celebrate those who worked long hours and late nights to ensure the Pork Chop Shop fed many hungry visitors during the Oklahoma State Fair, Oklahoma Youth Expo and Tulsa State Fair through the years.

In 2006, Oklahoma Pork created the Ambassador Award to recognize individuals and businesses that have been consistent supporters and avid promoters of our industry.

“The success of Oklahoma Pork Council’s sandwich sales would not be possible without the dedication of the VQ-7 Roughnecks, Silvia Aguirre and Carolyn Blum,” said Dottie King, 2020-2021 Oklahoma Pork Board of Directors president.

“We are pleased to honor them with the 2021 Ambassador Award.”

VQ-7 members began supporting Oklahoma Pork’s sandwich sales efforts at the Oklahoma State Fair in 2014. VQ-7 supplied 100 volunteers during a three-week period each September from 2014 to 2019.

Cali Wimett, VQ-7 spokesperson, said, “we want to thank the Oklahoma Pork Council for providing us the opportunity to volunteer for our community. The VQ-7 team is extremely thankful and look forward to anything we can still do with the Oklahoma Pork Council in the future.”

Additionally, Aguirre and Blum have been longtime partners and the backbone of Oklahoma Pork’s sandwich sales. They are also recipients of the Ambassador Award.

“We are incredibly thankful for all Carolyn and Silvia have done for our organization and the countless hours of hard work it took to keep the Pork Chop Shop running at various events,” King said. “We realize just how indispensable they were in the sandwich sales space.”

Left: Members of the VQ-7 Roughnecks were awarded the 2021 Oklahoma Pork Council Ambassador Award.

Right: Silvia Aguirre and Carolyn Blum were recognized for their work in sandwich sales with the 2021 Oklahoma Pork Council Ambassador Award.

Two Oklahoma legislators recognized for supporting Oklahoma pork industry n August 2021, two longtime champions and supporters of Oklahoma’s pork industry were named Outstanding Legislators by the Oklahoma Pork Council.

Not only have both award recipients voted in support of pork producers during their tenures in the state legislature, but they have also used their leadership positions to truly advocate for production agriculture and advance rural Oklahoma.

Senator Kim David, originally from Owasso, earned a petroleum geology degree from Oklahoma State University then worked in oil and gas before turning her attention to raising her family.

Once her children were in school, she received her alternative teaching certification and served as an educator before launching her property management business.

She resides in Porter with her husband, Dan, and enjoys spending time with her grown children and three grandsons.

Senator David was first elected to the Oklahoma State Senate in 2010. Her district encompasses parts of Cherokee, Muskogee, Mayes, Tulsa and Wagoner Counties.

During her 12 years in office, Senator David has broken multiple leadership records – including selection as the first female Republican Majority Whip, the first female Appropriations Committee Chair, and her current role as the first female Majority Floor Leader.

Representative John Pfeiffer is a lifelong resident of Logan County.

He was an active member of 4-H and FFA at Mulhall-Orlando schools before judging livestock at Oklahoma State University.

After college, he spent five years in the U.S. Marine Corps before returning home to the help run the family cattle farm.

He and his wife Sierra live on their farm in Orlando and, in 2021, welcomed their first son into the world.

At the Capitol, Representative Pfeiffer serves as the House Deputy Floor Leader.

His district includes parts of Garfield, Grant, Kay, Logan and Noble Counties, which helps contribute to his widely regarded reputation as a legislative leader on agriculture issues.

Since his election in 2014, he has served on several key committees, including Agriculture and Rural Development, Appropriations and Budget, Energy and Natural Resources, and Veterans and Military Affairs.

Oklahoma Pork thanks both Senator David and Representative Pfeiffer for their dedication to production agriculture across the state, especially their work to protect, promote and support Oklahoma’s pork industry.

okpork.org | 21

Oklahomans participate in annual Give-A-Ham challenge oe Popplewell, on behalf of Seaboard Foods, launched the 2021 Give-A-Ham Challenge with an incredible 10,000-pound pork product donation to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma in Tulsa.

Popplewell, who serves as president of the Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors, used the giving season opportunity to showcase that giving back is a cornerstone of what pork producers do. In his Give-A-Ham video, he also spoke about the realities of hunger throughout the state of Oklahoma.

Oklahomans came together during this year’s Give-A-Ham challenge to donate 446 hams, 10,040 pounds of additional pork product, $14,300 to Oklahoma charities and organizations.

For the third year in a row, Governor Kevin Stitt has highlighted Oklahoma pork producers’ charitable giving through his involvement in our annual Give-A-Ham campaign.

Governor Stitt’s challenge concluded with selection of State Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, Speaker of the State House Charles McCall and Pro Tem of the State Senate Greg Treat being encouraged to participate.

The Oklahoma Pork Board of Directors spearheaded the month-long giving campaign by tapping members of their local communities and partners of Oklahoma Pork.

During the challenge, we saw a snowball effect across industries and communities. Challenges 22 | PORK PAGES

were accepted within government including Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, Senator Jim Inhofe, Representatives Stephanie Bice, Frank Lucas and Markwayne Mullin.

From our friends at Oklahoma State University, Give-A-Ham involvement went through President Kasey Shrum, Dean Thomas Coon, Athletic Director Chad Weiberg, the OSU Pork Industry Group, and more. The University of Oklahoma President Joe Harroz also participated.

News Channel 9 covered the giving efforts onair, and the morning team accepted the challenge from board member Tom Layne, and Oklahoma Blood Institute’s Dr. Armitage provided plenty of ham puns during the acceptance of his challenge.

We owe a big “thank you” to multiple businesses, pork producers, partners and friends of Oklahoma Pork who helped make the 2021 Give-AHam challenge a monumental success.

Each year, the challenge looks a little different.

As we look to the future, make plans for you or your organization can get involved and give back to your local community.

Learn more about the Give-A-Ham challenge below.

okpork.org | 23

Lukasek sisters represent the pork industry in the show pig space or sisters Emma and Zoe Lukasek, showing pigs has always been their family’s passion.

From a young age, spending hours in the show barn is all the sisters have ever known.

Hailing from the Kingfisher FFA chapter and Kingfisher 4-H club, Emma and Zoe know the hard work and determination it takes to be successful in the show ring.

Emma began her show career at the Tulsa State Fair when she was five years old. What started out as a hobby with two or three gilts quickly progressed to a barn full of show pigs to share between the sisters as Zoe reached showing age.

“I grew up watching my big sister show, and I knew that I wanted to do the same, so when it came my turn to start showing, I was really excited,” Zoe said.

When Emma is not in the show barn, you can catch her on the softball field.

“I love the competitive aspect of softball and how that carries over into the show ring,” Emma said. “I also love getting to spend time with my family on the weekends at shows and making memories that will last a lifetime.”

Zoe’s favorite parts of showing pigs are getting to spend time with her family and seeing the end results of their hard work each show season.

“Showing pigs is hard work,” Emma said. “It takes dedication to your animals and it takes a strong work ethic.”

Each morning, the girls are up before school to take care of chores, and each day after school, they are in the barn walking, feeding, washing, working hair and cleaning pens, Emma said.

Tyler Gradert, Kingfisher FFA ag teacher, said working with the Lukasek family is rewarding.

“When you get to work with a pair of individuals who really go above and beyond when it comes

to not only taking care of things at home, but also being able to get it done in the show ring in terms of their showmanship abilities, it really makes my job fun,” he said.

Gradert said it is a pleasure to work with the Lukasek sisters and see them grow each year in and out of the show ring.

Zoe’s biggest takeaway from this year’s show

season is to always help others when they need it, and that hard work always pays off in the end.

Zoe’s future plan is to become a travel veterinarian through the Colorado mountains, while Emma plans to attend Oklahoma State University this fall to major in interior design.

Emma guarantees the show pig world has not seen the last of her yet, though.

Left: Zoe and Emma Lukasek stand in their family’s show barn in Kingfisher.

Center: Zoe Lukasek exhibits her cross barrow at the 2021 Kingfisher County Junior Livestock Show.

Right: Emma Lukasek and her father, Justin, share a celebratory moment as Emma was crowned Grand Champion at the 2021 Kingfisher County Junior Livestock Show. okpork.org | 25

Oklahoma leaders combat food insecurity during Hunger Action Month

klahoma pig farmers are not just invested in giving back to their local communities during the giving season. Their giving efforts happen year-round.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, the Oklahoma Pork Council and Wheeler’s Meat Market partnered to donate 750 pounds of ham to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma during Hunger Action Month (HAM).

“Oklahoma agriculture is proud to play a part in feeding the world, but we recognize access to food isn’t always a reality for everyone,” said Blayne Arthur, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture. “I am incredibly proud of the Oklahoma Pork Council for stepping up to fight against food insecurity in such a substantial way and providing communities with a critical protein source during their most vulnerable times. Hat’s off to you during Hunger Action Month, Oklahoma Pork!”

Hunger Action Month is held each September as members of the Feeding America network of food banks across the country raise hunger awareness 26 | PORK PAGES

to fight hunger in their communities.

“Oklahoma’s pig farmers are committed to raising a safe, affordable and nutritious protein, as well as giving back to the community,” said Kylee Deniz, executive director of the Oklahoma Pork Council. “During Hunger Action Month, we considered it a great honor to offer hams to Oklahomans faced with food insecurity through this special collaboration.”

Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank said, “we are so thankful to the generosity of our partners at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, the Oklahoma Pork Council and Wheeler’s Meat Market.”

“Protein is one of the most requested items at our network partners and donations like this go toward providing hundreds of meals to Oklahoma families,” Dykstra said.

This is a large part of pig farmers’ commitment to taking care of the people in their local communities and helping create an Oklahoma where nobody goes hungry.

Oklahoma Pork Council gives to OSU’s New Frontiers campaign he Oklahoma Pork Council joined the fundraising effort to replace the aging Oklahoma State University Agricultural Hall with a $25,000 gift to OSU Ferguson College of Agriculture’s New Frontiers campaign.

The new home for the Ferguson College of Agriculture will strengthen OSU Agriculture’s research, teaching and extension missions while addressing two key challenges: • attracting and retaining scientific leaders • equipping collaborative teams with state-of-theart laboratory and field facilities This building will redefine what is possible for faculty, students and the industries and communities which depend on their research.

Oklahoma Pork’s Board of Directors found value in investing in the project because of OSU’s dedication to improving and innovating Oklahoma

agriculture through teaching and research.

Additionally, there are a number of graduates from OSU’s college of agriculture who have dedicated their professional careers to Oklahoma’s pork industry.

The college is nearing its $50 million fundraising goal. As of publication, 501 generous donors have contributed to the effort.

“We are grateful to the Oklahoma Pork Council for supporting the New Frontiers campaign and stepping up to represent the Oklahoma livestock industry in our new state-of-the-art facility presently under construction,” Dean of the Ferguson College of Agriculture Dr. Thomas Coon said. “Your generous support is helping us modernize the way we teach, educate and conduct research, and foster innovation that will feed a growing world population.” okpork.org | 27

Pork plays a large role in success of Gov. Stitt’s Meat All Week

hen Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared “Meat Out Day” to promote meatless diets among his constituents, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt clapped back in a big way by announcing Oklahoma’s “Meat All Week” to show his support of animal agriculture.

As the state with the fifth most farms in the country and multiple top-ten national rankings in production livestock, many Oklahomans were very proud to spend an entire week celebrating hearty, homegrown protein.

Meat All Week featured accolades from key state leaders, including a proclamation from Governor Stitt, a House Concurrent Resolution authored by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Dell Kerbs, and an announcement from 28 | PORK PAGES

Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur at the Oklahoma Youth Expo Sale of Champions.

The Oklahoma Pork Council team, in collaboration with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, and leaders of beef and poultry, drafted the concurrent resolution that served as a rallying cry for the promotion.

The resolution, which was read on the House Floor in public support of Oklahoma agriculture, reminded our policymakers of the $18 billion annual economic impact and 110,000 jobs created from pork, beef and poultry production in the state.

Additionally, the resolution outlined health benefits, sustainability efforts and superior taste of meat products.

Oklahoma Pork also designed the Meat All Week logo, helped lead the creative for social media and stood up a form on our website asking agriculture supporters to pledge to eat meat each day during the entire week.

In true Oklahoma agriculture style, part of Meat All Week also involved giving back to our homestate consumers who we so greatly appreciate.

Those who took the pledge received a free t-shirt from Oklahoma Pork. We launched the pledge to eat meat all week on a Sunday afternoon and received 250 pledges within five hours. Within 48-hours, 567 Oklahomans pledged to prioritize meat consumption and received their t-shirts.

The Oklahoma Pork team went all in on Meat All Week, including writing it in seasoning as pork loins were being prepared to serve.

In addition, Secretary Arthur encouraged participants to purchase a protein for Oklahomans in need by donating to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Food for Kids backpack program.

Oklahoma Pork’s commitment to celebrate our industry did not stop there. We also found time to serve up delicious meals at two events.

First, we took the Oklahoma Pork smoker trailer to Jim Traber’s “Ultimate Fair” and gave away free pork chop sandwiches.

Second, Oklahoma Pork also joined forces with the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association to provide a protein-packed lunch to the entire Oklahoma Senate and their staff.

On behalf of pork producers across the state, we are very proud of Meat All Week’s impressive success in such a short amount of time.

Protecting our members’ freedom to operate is a critical component of Oklahoma Pork’s mission, and this week-long campaign truly demonstrated the support animal agriculture has across the state.

We appreciate leadership from Governor Stitt, Secretary Arthur, Chairman Kerbs and others who continue to closely work with our team to champion production agriculture.

Oklahoma Pork Council hosts Oklahoma Pork Congress, golf tournament and Casino Night in August klahoma’s annual industry get-together, Oklahoma Pork Congress, was nothing short of an action-packed, informative day. The one-day event provided beneficial information and connected attendees with industry professionals in the trade show.

Held in Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Pork Congress featured guest speakers of pork’s national organizations, Bill Even, CEO of the National Pork Board, and Neil Dierks, recently retired CEO of the National Pork Producers Council.

Attendees heard from Oklahoma Secretary

of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, who provided the welcome to kickstart the day and an update on behalf of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.

Audience members also heard from Oklahoma Pork Council Executive Director Kylee Deniz, who shared the team’s work on behalf of Oklahoma’s pork industry, strategic intentions for the year lined out by the Board of Directors and goals for the future of our organization.

Oklahoma Pork gave the following awards: • Hall of Fame – Roy Lee Lindsey • Distinguished Service – Rob Richard • Ambassador – VQ-7 Roughnecks, Silvia Agguire and Carolyn Blum • Outstanding Legislators – Senator Kim David and Representative John Pfeiffer • Excellence Award – John Brown, Aaron and Carla Koerner, Tracy Sharry and Gary Todd Members and guests heard from Dr. Justin Talley, Oklahoma State University entomology and plant pathology professor, on his department’s research efforts on the sow burial project.

James McSpadden provided a policy update of what was accomplished during the 2021 legislative session, including the passing of Senate Bill 939 protecting our producers from nuisance lawsuits.

The annual meeting took place, which included board member elections. Tom Layne was elected to an open West District seat, Joe Locke was elected to fill a recently vacated West District seat, Robert Peffley was re-elected to his East District seat and Bas Werner was elected to the open At-Large seat.

Finally, members heard from keynote speaker, Vance Crowe, a communications strategist who answers questions about some of the most sophisticated and controversial technologies in the modern age.

Crowe believes today’s pork producer should know stories of pork’s past, in order to be able to create its future. Crowe highlighted fun tales of pork

production and provided insight into the power of the stories we tell ourselves so that the audience could tell the public (and themselves) why they do what they do and what value it brings to the world, a particularly valuable skill in an age where people love their bacon but create laws that make it more difficult to produce.

First United Bank’s Angie Johnson and her team take part in the Oklahoma Pork Open Golf Tournament.

Bookending the successful Oklahoma Pork Congress, the organization hosted the Oklahoma Pork Open and Casino Night.

23 teams took part in a beautiful day of golf at Turkey Creek Golf Course, including putting for prizes and enjoying a delicious pork lunch.

Attendees enjoyed Casino Night, where they used casino chips to play a variety of casino-styled games and enjoy a fun photo booth.

At the end of the evening, Smithfield Foods’ Cathy Vaughan presented the grand prize of $1,000 cash, and a multitude of door prizes were distributed to lucky winners.

Mark your calendar for the 2022 industry gathering August 4-5. Visit okpork.org/events for more information.

Oklahoma Pork’s Economic Impact The Oklahoma pork industry provides a purpose, a lifestyle and an income to more than 34,000 Oklahomans employed in their local communities.

Oklahoma Pork Jobs:

2 BILLION Oklahoma exports roughly 2 billion pounds of pork each year to feed millions across the world. This is equivalent to 5% of total U.S. pork exports.

Production: 12,853 Slaughter: 13,993 Processing: 7,594

out of every jobs in Oklahoma is supported by the pork industry.

Prior to 1991, swine production was a relatively minor part of the broader Oklahoma agriculture industry.

Today, pork has grown to Oklahoma's

agricultural enterprise at $976M. Cattle ranks first at $3.27B, and broilers rank third at $729M.

Oklahoma Pork Council brings lifetime donation to Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to $175,000 he Oklahoma Pork Council announced its annual donation to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Pork for Packs in the amount of $12,300, bringing the organization’s lifetime program contribution to $175,000.

“We are so proud to partner with the Oklahoma Pork Council,” said Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. “The Pork Council’s generosity over the past 15 years has been crucial to providing thousands of chronically hungry children with Oklahoma-grown protein through the Pork for Packs Program.”

Pork for Packs utilizes donated hogs from Oklahoma 4-H and FFA members to create protein sticks for the Food for Kids Backpack Program for elementary students. This innovative program was started by the Regional Food Bank in 2003, a collaboration among Oklahoma Pork, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Regional Food Bank and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.

“We are excited to continue our partnership alongside the Oklahoma Pork Council in feeding hungry children across our state,” said David VonTungeln, OKFB Foundation for Agriculture president. “The success of Pork for Packs is reliant 34 | PORK PAGES

on those 4-H and FFA members providing their animals, and we could not be prouder of them willing to help those in need.”

The program provides chronically hungry children with backpacks filled with non-perishable, nutritious, food including the protein sticks to sustain them over weekends and school holidays.

“With too many Oklahoma children at risk of going to bed hungry each night, the need is clear,” said Kylee Deniz, executive director of the Oklahoma Pork Council. “Our farmers are proud to fight against food insecurity via the Regional Food Bank’s Pork for Packs, and we are grateful to every 4-H and FFA student who chooses to help us.”

The 2021 Oklahoma Pork donation allowed the Regional Food Bank to process and package more than 35,000 protein sticks.

Oklahoma is the fourth-hungriest state in the nation. The majority of people served by the Regional Food Bank are children, seniors living on limited incomes and hardworking families struggling to make ends meet.

Do you know of a livestock exhibitor who would be interested in this program? Contact Oklahoma Pork today.

Tré Smith’s passion for pork shines during Oklahoma Pork internship utside a commercial sow farm during the 2016 Oklahoma Pork Council Youth Leadership Camp, I received advice which would change my career path and my entire outlook on life: “Find your passion. If you are passionate about something, you will be successful.”

I will never forget that day or that advice. I knew it was my confirmation to chase my dream to be a representative for the pork industry.

My time working with the Oklahoma State Swine Research and Education Center, Animal Agriculture Alliance, Farm Journal and National Pork Board’s Student Social Forces Team prepared me for my Oklahoma Pork internship.

During my time with Oklahoma Pork, I have been able to soar with my ideas, constantly thinking on ways to reimagine the pork industry.

At times in my life, I have had to put some of my big dreams in a box. While interning at Oklahoma Pork, I have been given every opportunity to think outside of that box.

Each day of my internship, I felt truly inspired by the staff and touched by how passionate the team is about representing and supporting pig 36 | PORK PAGES

farmers in the state of Oklahoma.

The memories I made hopping in the truck and heading west with Paige Endres to record award videos was a time I will never forget.

We had the opportunity to interview farmers and showcase what it means to be a pig farmer in our state. It was a time that gave me even more clarification I am where should be.

I enjoyed every moment, and I loved being able to watch the completed videos and say to myself, “these are my people.”

I was honored to play a role in showcasing what Oklahoma pig farmers do each and every day and the contributions they bring to our state and their local communities.

Another experience during my Oklahoma Pork internship that brought everything full-circle for me was being able to help plan the Pork Industry Group (PIG) – one of the programs that impacted my life so greatly.

I remember sitting in the OSU Animal Science building during the 2021 spring semester and telling swine science professor and PIG mentor Dr. Scott Carter I wanted to reimagine PIG.

Dr. Carter has constantly invested his time in youth interested in pork, including me. Having him and the Oklahoma Pork team on board with my new ideas was a monumental moment during my internship I will not forget.

The fact that I was trusted to help coordinate the eight-week group I participated in only two years prior meant so much to me.

While planning PIG, I wanted the students to experience as much of the Oklahoma pork industry as possible.

I felt in order for the students to gain a true understanding of the opportunities available in the pork industry, our team needed to assemble a more diverse speaker list than we had in the past. We did just that.

Those dynamic speakers traveled from across the state and even U.S. to interact with group members, and they left an impression on the next generation of leaders who opened their minds to endless possibilities of careers in pork.

During the planning, I set a goal for myself to collect $3,000 in additional sponsorships, and I exceeded my goal.

The additional funding from generous sponsors made it possible to give door prizes during each session, as well as provided more scholarship opportunities for group members.

During the duration of the group, I loved seeing students learn about the industry and see their faces light up when entering the same commercial sow farm that lit a passion inside me.

I witnessed students navigate through and discover their place in the pork industry. For me, it made the summer of planning all worth it.

I received advice which would change my career path and my entire outlook on life: “Find your passion. If you are passionate about something, you will be successful.”

I found my passion. How about you?

Tré Smith 2021 Intern Oklahoma Pork okpork.org | 37

OSU graduate student Caitlyn Wileman receives Bill Luce Scholarship hen Oklahoma State University graduate student Caitlyn Wileman shares advice to underclassmen about leadership conferences, internships and scholarships related to the pork industry – it is almost entirely from firsthand experience.

She is “that” student. The one who has seized every opportunity, and neatly checked each box on the long list of accolades awarded to outstanding agriculture collegians.

But Wileman’s path to her OSU master’s program focused on swine nutrition was not actually as linear as you might assume when you hear her confidently share her knowledge and passion for the industry today.

One generation removed from the family farm in Milton, Wisconsin, Wileman did not consider herself an “ag kid” until high school.

She was a member of 4-H but focused on visual arts projects like photography and knitting.

“Then my freshman year of high school, my cousins said ‘Hey, we have room in the barn if you want to get a show pig?’,” Wileman lit up as she shared, “So, I got my first one and have been hooked ever since.”

Not only was she hooked, but she was also incredibly successful.

Inside the ring and beyond, Wileman spent the remainder of her high school career and her first two years of college at the University of WisconsinPlatteville racking up ribbons and fostering relationships through the “swine vine.”

Working on the UW-Platteville school farm opened her eyes to the incredible scale of the pork industry beyond the show pig world.

“The school farm is where I really fell in love with the commercial side,” she reflected.

That love, according to Wileman, guided her decision to transfer to Iowa State University for the remainder of her undergraduate education.

In Ames, she amplified her leadership skills and leveled up her resumé through involvement in Block and Bridle, Agriculture Future of America, Sigma Alpha and more.

38 | PORK PAGES

Her breadth of collegiate experience is impressive – including internships with the National Pork Board, Iowa Pork Industry Center and Oklahoma Youth Expo.

Wileman also found tremendous value in working with the Wisconsin Pork Association.

“That’s one really big piece of advice I give students - get involved with your state pork association,” she said. “That’s how I got my feet wet learning all the career opportunities that exist, and what I wanted to do as my own career for a long time.”

Her passion for pigs and for guiding a crosssection of industry audiences – producers, consumers, and youth – made work at a state pork association appealing, but Wileman felt a pull to continue her education.

Amidst the pandemic in 2020, she graduated from Iowa State and took a leap enrolling in OSU’s International Agriculture master’s program.

“Yeah… I moved to Stillwater for a totally different program,” Wileman laughed.

Once she became a student at OSU, her devotion to hog production and newfound mentorship within the Animal & Food Sciences Department unexpectedly rerouted her toward a master’s degree in animal science.

Wileman shrugged, “Maybe it was a backwards way of getting here, but I’m extremely happy to be working with Dr. Carter on swine nutrition now.”

About his star student, OSU’s swine science professor Dr. Scott Carter gave a glowing review.

“Caitlyn is very positive, detail oriented and has tremendous career ambitions,” Dr. Carter said.

“Her academic qualifications are extremely respected, but her additional activities like internships and volunteering in the swine community really set her apart.”

Together, Wileman and Dr. Carter recently submitted an abstract for part of her thesis that will build on five recent experiments done at OSU’s swine farm.

In her research, Wileman will seek to predict a pig’s nursery performance, finishing performance

and market weight based on its starting weight in the nursery.

Pairing that analysis with a water supplement trial testing nursery performance and immune response, Wileman has two valuable components for her final thesis due in 2022.

“Our hope is to find products that can improve performance and health for nursery pigs fed antibiotic-free diets,” explained Dr. Carter.

Plus, the latest arc in her educational trajectory has helped Wileman solidify how she can best contribute long-term: becoming a professor.

“I think it’s pretty clear my passion is the pork industry,” Wileman said.

“After my master’s, I have been accepted to Iowa State to get my doctorate in animal science focusing on swine nutrition. Academia is a really good pathway to work with high caliber students and industry professionals.”

As the teaching assistant for swine science and principles of nutrition, she has gotten to do more than imagine herself in this future role.

When asked her favorite part of her assistantship, Wileman’s eyes shined.

“Teaching really just gives so many opportunities to help,” Wileman said. “When I fill in leading class for Dr. Carter, I always start by telling the students about things they should apply for like scholarships and leadership organizations.”

A self-described lifelong learner, she truly finds

joy helping others find their own routes to success.

Wileman’s triple-threat enthusiasm for pigs, for people and for advancing the industry make perfect sense for this year’s Dr. Bill Luce Memorial Scholar.

The scholarship, endowed through a $50,000 gift from Oklahoma Pork Council in 2010 as part of OSU’s Pickens Legacy Match Program, was created to support students with the exact passion Wileman exudes, just as Dr. Luce did.

Dr. Luce pioneered pork extension and research in the early years of Oklahoma’s commercial production, serving as the OSU swine extension specialist for more than 30 years.

“Dr. Luce was a great ambassador for Oklahoma, and where the commercial swine industry is at in the state right now is a credit to him,” Dr. Carter said.

After retiring as a regent’s level professor, Dr. Luce still found a way to serve pork producers by consulting through Oklahoma Pork before passing away in 2012.

His impact quite tangibly continues to push our industry forward.

As for Wileman? Check back in a few years for a follow-up on the outstanding students who earn scholarships created to advance her own legacy.

Despite the curves, there is no question her path continues leading to the top.

okpork.org | 39

Oklahoma Pork Council part of state-led sow burial project

klahoma Pork prides itself in collaborative efforts with other commodity groups, consulting firms and organizations to ensure our producers are prepared.

In the event of a catastrophic foreign animal disease outbreak such as African Swine Fever, Oklahoma pork producers need to be equipped with the information to make decisions in a minute’s notice for their daily operations including stop movements or disposal of carcasses as a result of significant animal loss.

Discussions began nearly four years ago among Envirotech Engineering and Consulting, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Department

of Agriculture Food and Forestry, United States Department of Agriculture, Oklahoma Pork and Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and counterparts at the Virginia Cooperative Extension and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to research a method of carcass disposal – above-ground burial.

The Oklahoma Pork Board of Directors saw the need for additional carcass disposal methods and contacted the National Pork Board for financial support.

According to the USDA, this method is a hybrid between deep burial and composting. It involves digging a shallow trench, placing one foot of carbonaceous material in the bottom of the trench followed by a layer of carcasses, covering the carcasses with the excavated material, and seeding the mound.

Above-ground burial was field tested at several locations, including Oklahoma, representing a variety of soil and climatic conditions.

The field tests focused on carcass degradation, nutrient migration and pathogen inactivation. In addition, Oklahoma conducted a special study to monitor scavenger and insect activity.

The goals of the conducted research evolved into three areas: • Evaluate any impacts and changes to the soil chemistry in a large-scale project and the decomposition process of carcasses.

• See if above-ground burial could be a viable option for carcass disposal in the event of an ASF outbreak in the U.S. • Study insect activity in and around the above-ground burial site (prior to the study and during the project).

At the Oklahoma Pork Congress in August 2021, OSU Entomology department head Dr. Justin Talley

Envirotech Engineering and Consulting’s Jeremy Seiger presents on his company’s role in the sow burial project.

presented on the findings of his department’s area of research and the data they collected.

Thousands of insects were collected, including differing species during different times of the carcass decomposition process, he said.

Jeremy Seiger, Envirotech Engineering and Consulting senior soil scientist and agriculture department manager, said a comprehensive report will be finalized by the USDA in the coming months, but the preliminary results of the research project are very promising.

This comprehensive research project led to other smaller lab-controlled testing in the state.

The outcome of the research encouraged ODAFF to add above-ground burial as a carcass disposal option.

“Above-ground burial has received tremendous support in Oklahoma, and it is another carcass disposal method to consider for Foreign Animal Disease preparedness, said Caleb Whitcomb, Agricultural Environmental Management assistant director. “The success of this carcass disposal method is attributed to the collaboration amongst all team members including USDA-APHIS, OSU, ODAFF, and Oklahoma organizations.”

Dr. and Mrs. Hall gather with friends and assistant state veterinarian at Oklahoma Pork Council’s Bacon & Bourbon dinner.

State veterinarian supports Oklahoma Pork Council’s fundraising efforts ost people know Dr. Rod Hall as the state veterinarian and animal health advisor in the Oklahoma agriculture industry. While he is both of these things to the Oklahoma Pork Council, he is also one of the biggest supporters of the dinners we host throughout the year.

At the various dinners hosted by Oklahoma Pork, you will find Dr. and Mrs. Hall with a table of their closest friends or colleagues having the time of their lives.

“Friends, fellowship and enjoying a delicious pork meal are what keeps us coming back each dinner,” Hall said.

Oklahoma Pork’s dinners – Pork & Cork, Swine & Stein and Bacon & Bourbon – are pretty special to the Halls, and they enjoy getting to take part in our fundraising efforts.

The Halls have a son who is an executive sous chef in Washington D.C., and they find it enjoyable to attend the various dinners and see how other chefs prepare their meals.

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“We get a kick out of taking pictures and sending him copies of the menu so he can try them in his restaurants,” he smiled.

While Mrs. Hall enjoys the food the most, Dr. Hall especially enjoys the camaraderie.

Dr. Hall said they have a number of different groups of friends they like to invite to attend each dinner with them, including church friends, family friends and work colleagues, including assistant state veterinarian, Dr. Gorczyca-Southerland.

“Dr. G joins us occasionally, and I really enjoy inviting her and her husband because it is a small way for me to show how much I appreciate everything she does for our office.”

Dr. Hall finds value in getting to know the producers he serves outside of the workplace to foster relationships statewide.

Do you want to have dinner with Dr. Hall?

Secure your tickets for the next fundraising event at okpork.org/events.

VISIT OKPORK.ORG/EVENTS

OF A LIFETIME Twelve OSU Ferguson College of Agriculture students participate in Pork Industry Group

klahoma Pork Council’s Pork Industry Group (PIG) is steadily changing the lives of young professionals at Oklahoma State University. This group serves as an opportunity for agriculture students to learn about the many career opportunities available within the pork industry while networking with swine leaders from across the country.

With guest speaker sessions ranging from genetics to marketing and contract growing to human resources, the 12 college students chosen for the 2021 PIG experience were able to get a comprehensive view of all facets of the industry.

Selected participants for PIG included a diversity of backgrounds, majors and career goals for the future. Over the eight-week program, these students met with more than 20 professionals working in and around hog production.

One session took students far beyond the classroom on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to The HANOR Company’s facilities including their corporate headquarters, company feed mill and a 10,000-head sow farm in Northwest Oklahoma.

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Showing students a portion of the “baby pig state” brings Dr. Scott Carter, swine science professor and Oklahoma State Swine Research Facility advisor, a sense of pride. Carter served as a mentor for seven years at the Youth Leadership Camp for high school students and now PIG for college students.

“One of my favorite parts of the Pork Industry Group is seeing the students’ eyes when they go into the sow farm for the first time,” Carter said.

“It’s at that moment that the students realize how large the pork industry really is.”

For one student, PIG truly surpassed all of her expectations and then some.

Jaelyn Sewell, a meat science senior and 2021 PIG Outstanding Student, shared PIG was an eyeopening experience she will never forget.

“I truly did not know the immense amount of opportunity in the pork industry,” Sewell said.

“The Oklahoma Pork Council did an amazing job showcasing that even someone like me, who does not come from a pork background, can find my place in pork.”

Pork Industry Group members visit The HANOR Company’s facilities during an industry tour in October 2021. Group members include from L to R: Carman Montgomery, Jaelyn Sewell, Hannah McGirl, Kalley Whitlock, Javier Martinez, Ashleigh Joy, Kelsey Gray, Matti Allen, Brittany Woods, Rhett Taylor and Erin Slagell. Not pictured is Valerie Bonnett.

“Not only is the Oklahoma Pork Council paving the way for students to be successful,” she said, “but they’re also being inclusive – wanting others who weren’t ever involved in the industry to not be afraid to apply, which I think is very helpful.”

In addition to Sewell’s Outstanding Student award, Oklahoma Pork presented three additional scholarships to group members: • Group Presentation – Ashleigh Joy, Javier Martinez and Brittany Woods • Outstanding Underclassman – Kalley Whitlock • Speaker’s Choice – Rhett Taylor During the duration of the eight-week group, students were tasked with solving the labor issue in the pork industry. Group members were encouraged to think outside of the box on this group project, which was presented to the Board of Directors and evaluated during the awards presentation at the completion of the group.

Team “Bacon a Difference” had the idea for Oklahoma Pork to employ a full-time industry ambassador to expose elementary and middle school students to potential careers in the pork industry before high school.

The ambassador would visit rural and urban schools with FFA programs to help engage these

younger students early to help guide them toward swine careers.

Do you know an OSU college student who would be a great addition to PIG? Contact Ashton Mese Johnston to learn more.

Oklahoma pork producers support Holdenville family in time of need

ommunity is who we are. For instance, the Oklahoma Pork Council, First United Bank of Holdenville, and Tyson Foods’ “The Pork Group” teamed up to help a local pig farming family.

Parker Robinson is 5 years old and has cerebral palsy. She underwent Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy surgery last year in St. Paul, Minnesota.

She is the daughter of Tanner and Jordan, and the granddaughter of Eddie and Kim Robinson, coowner of Robinson Farms near Holdenville. Tanner is a farm manager at one of the family’s units.

Parker loves animals, dancing and playing softball. She also enjoys playing with her sister, Piper, and her baby brother, Ace. Her mom says if any of her children were to tag along with Dad at the farm, it’s Parker.

Oklahoma Pork Board of Directors PresidentElect Angie Johnson brought the idea to support the Robinson family to the board’s attention. She felt strongly that as pig farmers, it is our duty to take care of our people and our communities.

“It was amazing to see the community rally for a good cause in the way they did,” Johnson said.

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“This event showed who we are as an industry and how family and community is our priority.”

The Robinsons could not be more proud to be from Holdenville, and they send a heartfelt “thank you” to the First United Bank, Oklahoma Pork, The Pork Group and the community of Holdenville.

“It meant the world to me to see the town of Holdenville and fellow pig farmers show up to support my family,” said Tanner. “It shows people can come together and support a good cause.”

The Oklahoma Pork Council served more than 250 pork carnita tacos during lunch. The donationonly event brought in more than $6,700 in donations for the Robinson family to help pay for medical expenses and travel.

As pork producers, our values remain true to family, community and taking care of one another, and this event for the Robinson family confirmed just that.

This is just one example of a community coming together. If you, as a pork producer, know of a need in your area, please reach out to Oklahoma Pork.

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