2017 Pork Masters

May 24, 2017 — 

National Hog Farmer magazine has announced the 2017 Masters of the Pork Industry and AASV is well represented. The list includes current AASV members Max Rodibaugh and Kent Schwartz as well as former member Brad Freking. [Source: National Hog Farmer, May 8, 2017]

A swine-exclusive veterinarian practice probably does not sound like a million-dollar idea, however, a passion for pigs and their caretakers led Max Rodibaugh, DVM, to that exact business model. For 40 years, he has successfully practiced swine medicine with the guiding principle to deliver the best care for the pigs and help the client to be profitable.

A desire for continued learning and empathy for hog producers has played a role in driving Kent Schwartz's commitment to each of the up to 3,000 cases that cross his desk at the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory. To Schwartz, these cases aren't just numbers, there are real producers with real herds and real concerns.

Perseverance and not following the standard pig farming manual has worked well for Minnesota pork producer Brad Freking. His guts to move forward during times of uncertainty in pig farming probably left his fellow pork producers wondering just exactly what he was doing. Still, his leadership example has helped New Fashion Pork grow, diversify and endure in the swine industry.

Read more about each of these folks, as well as the other recipients (Jan Archer, current National Pork Board President and producer from North Carolina, and Philip Seng, U.S. Meat Export Federation CEO) over the next few weeks in National Hog Farmer.