Morgan and Casey Lobdell raise pigs and sheep with their families near Mineral Point. Morgan and Casey grew up showing pigs and sheep in 4-H at the county fair and the Wisconsin State Fair. Now they raise 35 pigs and sell them to 4-H and FFA youth across the country. Casey jokes Lobdell Show Pigs Is The 4-H project has gone crazy.
Morgan approaches sustainability with his ultimate goal in mind: stewarding tomorrow’s farmers. For Morgan and Casey, it is significant to invest in future generations and provide them with opportunities to learn and develop in agriculture.
How do juvenile farmers perceive sustainable development?
As juvenile farmers, the Lobdells are looking for management techniques that will make their farm financially viable and sustainable in the long term. They want to breed pigs that will perform well in the show ring and contribute to the genetic progress of the pork industry.
“I have always had a breeder’s attitude. I believe that the next generations will be better. It’s not about combining champions, it’s about improving what you have,” Casey shared. “Finding success along the way is the fun part.”
Both Morgan and Casey work off-farm, so time management is an significant part of maintaining their businesses and lifestyles. The couple realizes how significant it is to manage their resources well and develop their family legacy.
Morgan’s great-grandfather raised championship pigs, but in the 1990s he moved away from pig farming and into dairy farming. This is the moment when Morgan’s family comes full circle as they once again have pigs on their farm.
What type of technology is used in pig farming?
The Lobdells employ an app called TOTAL DATE keep exact records of your pigs. The app collects data on litter sizes, sow numbers, breeding information, vaccination history and more. Through this data collection, Morgan and Casey are responsible for ensuring the highest standards of care for their pigs, both in and out of the show ring.
Is pig farming sustainable?
Pig farmers across the country attach great importance to exceptional care for animals and the environment. Six We Care® ethical principles direct everything pig farmers do, from caring for the animals to caring for the environment on the farm. The principles cover animal welfare, the environment, food safety, public health, people and communities. These guiding principles ensure that pig farmers are held to the highest standards and always strive for improvement.
“We need to work together on pig production and all be accountable for our sustainability goals,” Morgan said.
