On Friday, August 4, 2023, the Oklahoma Pork Council hosted the sixty fourth Oklahoma Pork Congress on the Sheraton Resort in Downtown Oklahoma Metropolis. The occasion introduced collectively greater than 100 pork producers and supporters for instructional classes, an awards luncheon, and Oklahoma Pork’s annual enterprise assembly to elect new management.
One spotlight included celebrating six award recipients for excellent efficiency or assist of Oklahoma’s pork business. The 2023 Oklahoma Pork Council slate of award winners are as follows:
Greg Stephens of Prestage Farms acquired the Oklahoma Pork Council Golden Pig Award for 30 years of distinguished service inside U.S. pork manufacturing. This profession achievement recognition is reserved for leaders who exhibit a longstanding instance of character, information and dedication to the business.
Dr. Jared Harshman of Oklahoma State College earned the Oklahoma Pork Council Ambassador Award for his passionate advocacy of pork manufacturing all through his exemplary educational profession. Oklahoma Pork’s Ambassador Award was created to acknowledge people who might circuitously elevate pigs however have made a major influence on our state’s pork business.
Consultant Dell Kerbs of Home District 26 was chosen as this yr’s Oklahoma Pork Council Excellent Legislator to honor his heartfelt work as a champion of pork producers on the State Capitol. This award is given solely to policymakers who persistently work with the agricultural group to guard our producers’ freedom to function.
Alan Mattson of Seaboard Meals was the primary recipient of the 2023 Oklahoma Pork Council Excellence Award. As a farm supervisor close to Hinton, Alan units an instance in animal well being and biosecurity via his servant management and devotion to his pigs. The Excellence Award is a peer-recommended accolade for pork producers who’ve made the every day work of elevating pigs greater than a job, however a real calling to maintain their animals and their groups.
Cathy Vaughan of Smithfield Meals additionally earned the 2023 Oklahoma Pork Council Excellence Award. Throughout Cathy’s 18-year tenure inside pork manufacturing, she has taken on spectacular native, state and nationwide roles to serve the broader business past her personal farms. The Excellence Award is a peer-recommended accolade for pork producers who’ve made the every day work of elevating pigs greater than a job, however a real calling to maintain their animals and their groups.
Kyle Schwerdtfeger of Schwerdtfeger Present Pigs was this yr’s last recipient of the 2023 Oklahoma Pork Council Excellence Award. Along with his full-time job with P&Ok Tools, Kyle has raised high quality present pigs together with his household for 25 years. He works to champion herd well being and robust biosecurity practices all through the livestock exhibiting group. The Excellence Award is a peer-recommended accolade for pork producers who’ve made the every day work of elevating pigs greater than a job, however a real calling to maintain their animals and their groups.
“Oklahoma pig farmers produce reasonably priced, nutritious pork to feed households world wide,” Kylee Deniz, government director of the Oklahoma Pork Council shared. “This yr’s award winners characterize an ideal cross- part of the eagerness, integrity and dedication we see throughout our business. For our board and our employees, it’s an honor to have a good time these six champions inside Oklahoma’s agriculture group.”
To be taught extra about Oklahoma Pork’s Excellence Award recipients, watch their recognition movies on the Oklahoma Pork Council YouTube web page.
