Breeder Spotlight
Randy & Scott Huseman Huseman Genetics Integrity. Commitment. Humility. Work Ethic. The combination of these traits would make for someone to be successful in anything they do, whether it be a ballplayer, a doctor, or in this case, a hog producer. These characteristics describe the Huseman family to a T, as they represent a dedicated and reputable operation built on a tradition of doing things right and showing a passion for family, their hogs and helping others. The Huseman family has been involved in raising and showing Purebred Poland China swine since the 1940’s with three generations involved in the operation. Their grandfather Frank Huseman started raising Polands and continued to do so until 1960. In 1973 Dennis Huseman, father of Randy and Scott, started raising Polands. Then Randy got the bug and began a Purebred Berkshire herd in 1988. Following the passing of their father in 1996, Randy and Scott merged the Poland and Berkshire herds, adding Purebred Spots in 2002. Continuing the family tradition, Randy and Scott Huseman now own and operate Huseman Genetics in Nazareth, Texas. Huseman Genetics is a Purebred sow operation consisting of 20-25 Poland China, Berkshire, and Spots, offering show pigs, breeding stock and semen sales; farrowing 2 times a year starting around August/September and again in January/February.
Frank Huseman 1948 Grand Champion Litter at Fort Worth
Dennis Huseman Amarillo Stock Show
2013 Champion Berkshire Barrow at San Antonio
2010 Champion Berkshire at Houston
All three generations have had great success raising pigs. Frank bred the Grand Champion Overall in Fort Worth in 1946, Grand Champion litter in Fort Worth in 1948, including other winnings throughout the years. Dennis Huseman raised the original “Bionic” boar, Champion Open Gilt and Bred Gilt at the 1977 SWTC, showed the Champion Gilt at the 1979 STC along with the Champion Boar at the 1983 NBS named “Stadium” which sold for $10,500. What makes quality breeding stock? Sows need to be sound with good underline quality. Sows need to be able to get up and down in the crate so she will consume enough feed to raise a big litter. Sows or gilts need to look feminine and not like barrows. Your boars also need to be sound with good muscle and bone. They need to the way you want the barrows to look. Even though we use 100% AI, the boar still needs to be able to breed naturally.
2013 Champion Berkshire Gilt at National Barrow Show
2013 Champion Weanling Gilt at Fall Classic
What advice would y’all give to young breeders? A good sow base is the most important part of being successful. Stick with the basics, don’t always chase the fad. Sound, functional hogs with the right muscle and bone will always keep you on the right path to success. Study the genetics to build your herd and understand that success doesn’t happen overnight. Get involved in industry organizations such as breed associations, youth organizations and Pork Producer organizations. And always be honest with your customers.
What benefits does agriculture instill in people? Family time and values! The whole family can be involved in Scott Huseman Family this industry. You get to work with the young people and be an influence in their lives. The friends we have made over the years is priceless and it has been a great opportunity to travel and see different parts of the USA. Where do y’all see the hog industry headed? The industry is moving in a positive direction. We are trying to put the muscle and bone on a little bigger frame and soundness has become extremely important.
“Fads come & go, but good, sound, functional hogs will always keep you in the business.”
What are challenges for the hog industry? Disease is always a threat to the industry and currently PEDv has been a big issue. It could cause financial setback and production losses; PEDv can make you or break you. Biosecurity is a must, every herd needs a health program.
What are challenges for your operation? Costs. Expenses continue to rise, but in the end it still needs to be profitable for us to continue our operation. Another is keeping our sows productive and feminine. If not we begin to see too many negative issues when farrowing.
Randy Huseman Family
Randy and Scott have not been strangers to success either, some of their highlights include: • • • • • • • • • • • •
Reserve Champion Boar 1998 SWTC Champion Boar 1998 NBS Champion Boar 2000 Fall Classic “Major Impact” Selling 2 weanling Poland boars to boar studs “Major Impact” and “The Revolution” Champion & Reserve Champion Polands 2005 San Antonio 2005 CPS Extravaganza: Supreme Champion Berkshire Male, Champion Poland Male, Reserve Champion Poland Female, Champion Berkshire Female and Reserve Champion Overall Bred 7 Breed Champions and Reserve Breed Champions at 2005 Texas Majors Sold Berkshire weanling Boar “Rolex” to boar stud in 2005 Champion Berkshire barrow 2010 Houston Partners on “Who Knows What” that sired the Champion at San Antonio in 2012 Champion Berkshire barrow in San Antonio in 2013 Grand Champion Castro Co. Stock Show then proceeded to win Champion Berk in San Antonion 2014
Who do you admire the most? Our Dad! He always taught us success would come with hard work. He was an honest man with good family values and passed that along to us. Our mom has also been a big supporter of the operation, we both have other jobs and without her help in the day to day operations, and especially in the farrowing house, we would not be as successful as we have been.
Showing livestock has been a positive influence in Randy and Scott’s life starting at a young age. Randy tells us, “Every show has its uniqueness; junior shows are fast paced, while breeding shows are more laid back so there’s time for making new friends and visiting with old ones. But we enjoy every show we can be a part of.” Randy and Scott are both involved in FFA programs helping students with their projects. Scott shares, “I want to teach my kids that hard work and dedication will lead to success and be gracious winners and losers. Always be a good sportsman in all aspects of life. Family is most important and family values.” Huseman Genetics were honored to share their family history and operation information and would love to assist you in any of your Poland, Berks or Spot needs. Visit them in Nazareth or at www.husemangenetics.com.
“Never stop listening & learning. Always be progressive in your thoughts.”
2014 Champion Berkshire at San Antonio Faithe Huseman (Scott’s Daughter)