West texas genetics1

Breeder Spotlight

Clint & Julie Halfmann West Texas Genetics Clint Halfmann, owner and operator of West Texas Genetics (WTG) in San Angelo, has come bursting onto the scene full force with recent honors such as Grand Champion barrow and Reserve Champion Chester at the Texas State Fair in Dallas, Reserve Champion Crossbred Boar at the NSR Fall Classic in Duncan, and CTBR Class Champions and sale qualifying barrows at the other Texas major shows. WTG is a swine operation composed of 50 crossbred, Duroc, Yorkshire, Chester and Spot sows with the primary focus on success, not just selling baby pigs.

Brandon Gunn, TPPA Executive Vice President stated, “As I was driving through San Angelo one day, I stopped into Clint’s to visit and see his operation.

After spending the afternoon with him, it was evident to me that if a person really wants to do something, they’ll find a way. For Clint and his wife Julie, it’s been through extreme commitment, hard work, and determination. And it proves as another example of You get out what you put in.”

Clint tells the story of the beginning, “I have been exposed to hogs since before I could walk. My grandpa George Schwartz raised hogs as well as his brothers Erwin Sr. and John Sr. But it all began with my great grandfather, Ernest Schwartz; he raised hogs for the family and local production. This evolved into what is now Schwartz Livestock. That is truly where I learned the core of my beliefs, building hogs sound and practical before all else.”

Clint credits the knowledge about hogs

he gained throughout his childhood to Erwin Schwartz Jr., or Frankie as he is known by many. “Frankie has been the most influential in my development as a producer.”

“My Father Roger Halfmann, an electrician, taught me as much as anybody about livestock in regards to building a reputation of honest business and integrity. A quiet man, he leads more by example than by word of mouth; his message is simple but true. Live your life before God and treat people as if you would want to be treated. “ In high school Clint started a career in livestock judging and was proudly a member of Frank Hermesmeyer’s final State Championship team in 2002, taking home High Individual Honors as well. Receiving a San Antonio judging scholarship, Clint attended Blinn College in Brenham, Texas where he was a member of a talented and accomplished team, coached by Doug Pierce and Brent Poe. From there, his knowledge continued to grow as he judged under Ryan Rathman and Todd Beyers at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, winning the National Championship in 2007. Clint still reaches out to his past teammates at times when in need of a good family or feeder.

After Clint graduated from Texas Tech he became a herdsman in Nebraska for Rick Whitman of RW Genetics, now based in Anderson, Texas. “I was very pleased to find an employer as successful as Rick that saw stock in a strikingly similar light in regards to functionality and skeletal

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“Just follow your heart. It’s easy to wonder what direction life is going to go. It takes true ambition and persistence to act upon the wonder and give your life direction.”

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correctness.” Clint says that he acquired a great deal of knowledge from Rick about herd health, feed management, and especially building genetics rather than buying them. Clint left RW Genetics after meeting his now wife, Julie Riley, and getting an opportunity of a lifetime to own his own operation. Curtis Schwartz gave Clint the opportunity to take over his sow herd and manage the facilities with the intent to purchase and he did just that. “If it wasn’t for the patience and initial help from Curtis Schwartz, Carl Halfmann, and John and Genevieve Schwartz, West Texas Genetics would not exist.”

What is the foundation of your herd?

The Chester and Spot herd can be traced back to 2 sows in Curtis’s herd. At Belton, I acquired the beginning sire of the boar stud, “Concrete,” and the building block of the sow herd, “Sunshine.”

Sunshine went on to produce a sale hog at a Texas major in every litter, Grand Overall at Texas State Fair in 2013, Reserve Champion Cross Boar at 2013 NSR Fall Classic which sold for $13,000, Grand Overall Burnet County 2012, and now has 10 daughters in the herd. Between Concrete and Sunshine, $1400 was spent to jump start the herd; these animals have proven themselves priceless to my program.

Which proves…. Because she is cheap doesn’t make her bad, and just because it’s expensive doesn’t make it good.

Trust your heart and don’t be afraid to walk the unbeaten path.

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Before you make the barrow, you have to make the sow.

How would you rank selection priorities?

I focus on the same five factors, whether it be for replacement females, boars or barrows. First and foremost, hogs need to be flexible. Second, we need to keep hogs bold, yet deep in their center

rib. Next is keeping them square. Once these are in place, we can make them big boned and rugged; and last comes muscle because it’s so easy to get.

What is your philosophy in raising hogs?

There are 2 things I feel are important when raising hogs.

Before you make the barrow, you have to make the sow.

Don’t show or raise pigs if you are not in it for the right reasons.

It would be great if…

West Texas Genetics is in the process of building facilities. Within the next 5 years, Clint plans on expanding the purebred herds and potentially doubling the boar lineup, and as any breeder’s goal would be, win several more major shows. In 15 years, Clint hopes to have his herd mark in multiple breeds at the 2029 NSR Fall Classic.

What is your favorite show?

I don’t have a favorite show, but I think the ultimate would be to have the Houston facilities with the ring help of San Angelo, and the sale setup of San Antonio.

What services does West Texas Genetics Provide?

Show pigs, semen, open mature gilts and bred gilts can also be arranged.

Along with advice or help to anyone who is willing to listen and work hard.

West Texas Genetics would be honored to help you with any of your needs. For more information on Clint & Julie Halfmann and West Texas Genetics visit www.westtexasgenetics.com.