Celebrating 25 Years: Andrea Klassen’s Journey with HyLife

Dec 11, 2023

In the veterinary care and animal welfare world, few individuals can boast the commitment and passion that Andrea Klassen has brought to her role as a Veterinary Assistant. Having started her journey with HyLife in 1998, Andrea recently reached a significant career milestone—25 years of service.

Her roots are deeply connected with agriculture. Growing up on a chicken farm, Andrea initially envisioned herself building and running her own barn. Wanting to get some hands-on experience, working with pigs before venturing on her own, she was hired by HyLife’s founders and jumped at the chance to learn more about the pork industry.

Over the years, Andrea’s role has evolved. Starting in the barn, she progressed to become a Farrowing Manager and eventually transitioned into the role of Veterinary Assistant. She has witnessed the Animal Care Team expand and evolve, reflecting HyLife’s growing commitment to the welfare of the pigs under its care.

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Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.