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Agriculture This Week: Farming always evolving

When you have grown up on a farm in the 1960s and ‘70s it is almost beyond belief the changes in farming we see today. 

It was a mixed farm for me, and that meant pigs and grain. 

In my youth I hauled a lot of ground grain to feed the pigs using cleaned five-gallon pails that originally were filled with some weed spray, or another. 

Looking back over some 40-years it seems like it was such a crazy thing, but repurposing the pails was pretty standard. I’m pretty sure potatoes came from the garden to the cellar bin in similar pails. 

Of course I clearly recall Dad taking plugged nozzles off the sprayer, his gloves getting soaked in the process, and then simply blowing out the nozzle with his breath. 

Knowing what we do now it’s a wonder what health problems were caused in a time we didn’t know better, or were reluctant to change. Dad lived to a considerable age, his heart giving out one day, but one wonders. 


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Meet Alfonso Agulair: Zoetis Caregiver Award Winner and Herdsman at Tosh Farms

Video: Meet Alfonso Agulair: Zoetis Caregiver Award Winner and Herdsman at Tosh Farms


At World Pork Expo 2026, Swine Web caught up with Alfonso Agulair, a herdsman with Tosh Farms and one of this year's Zoetis Caregiver Award winners.

Known for his genuine care and dedication, Aguilar helps build a strong team culture while encouraging those around him to continually improve. During this interview, he discusses his journey into the swine industry, the importance of animal care, and what motivates him each day.

Before finding his home in pork production, Aguilar worked in construction. Today, he takes pride in helping provide safe, high-quality food while caring for animals and supporting his team.