Winners Announced in FFA Swine Facility Contest

Dec 30, 2024

In December, the Missouri Pork Association, National Pork Board and the University of Missouri held the fourth annual FFA Swine Facility Management Contest in Columbia, Missouri. Eighteen teams competed in this hands-on event which focuses on real-world jobs in the pork industry. The top five teams and top four individuals will be recognized at the 2025 Missouri FFA Convention in Columbia, Missouri, next Spring.

This year’s first place team hailed from the North Shelby FFA Chapter. Team members included Sam Schwanke, Jared Johnston, Isaac Berry and Grady Gander. Second place in the contest went to the California FFA, which included team members Owen Pringer, Isaac Haile, Jose Martinez and Cody Schneider. The Pilot Grove FFA Chapter received third place, with team members Harlei Kammerich, Katie Fenical, Arleigh Watring and Britta Hoff. The fourth place Bowling Green FFA Team included members Abby Haas, Sophia Hartwig, Ava Gilbert and Reese Turner. In fifth place was the Macon FFA Chapter and members Tinley Schneider, Owen Young, Grayson Turnmire and Tobey Walker.

The contest also recognized the top four individuals in the contest. First place went to Jared Johnston with the North Shelby FFA. Owen Pringer with the California FFA received second, and Sam Schwanke with the North Shelby FFA placed third. In fourth place was Isaac Haile with the California FFA.

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Video: Season 7, Episode 1: Managing Risk and Seeing Opportunities in U.S. Pork Production

Today’s episode features three guests discussing the similarities and differences between pork production in the United States and Brazil, along with strategies for managing risk in today’s industry while recognizing and acting on opportunities. First, Dr. Anne Caroline de Lara, executive manager of live pig production at Seara Alimentos, a JBS company in Brazil, is joined by Dr. Matthew Turner, head of operations for JBS Live Pork. Together, they discuss how labor, climate and ventilation challenges vary between Brazil and the United States, while underscoring their shared commitment to raising healthy pigs. They also point to lessons producers in both countries can take from one another’s systems and on-farm experiences. Then, Brady Reicks, risk manager at Reicks View Farms, shares his perspective on risk management, drawing from his background in markets and his transition into farming. He discusses how protecting margins varies by operation and offers practical approaches producers can use to make marketing and business decisions with greater confidence rather than hesitation.

Both conversations were recorded at recent industry events focused on swine livability, including the International Conference on Pig Livability and Iowa Swine Day.