Morgan and Casey Lobdell raise pigs and sheep with their families near Mineral Point. Morgan and Casey both grew up showing pigs and sheep in 4-H at their 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 that Lobdell Show Pigs is a 4-H project gone wild.
Morgan approaches sustainability by thinking of their end goal, which is stewarding future agriculturists. It is important to Morgan and Casey to invest in the future generation and give them opportunities to learn and grow in agriculture.
As young farmers, the Lobdells are seeking out management techniques that will make their farm financially viable and sustainable for the long term. They want to breed pigs that will perform well in the show ring and contribute to the genetic advancement of the pork industry.
“I’ve always had a breeder mindset. I believe in making the next generation better. It’s not about mating champions but making what you have better,” shared Casey. “Finding success along the way is the fun part.”
Morgan and Casey both work off the farm, so time management is an important piece of sustaining their business and lifestyle. The couple recognizes the significance of being good stewards of their resources and growing the family legacy.
Morgan’s great-grandfather used to raise champion pigs but moved away from swine to pursue dairy in the nineties. It is a full circle moment for Morgan’s family to have pigs on the home farm again.
The Lobdells use an app called GESDATE to keep accurate records of their pigs. The app collects data on litter sizes, sow numbers, breeding information, vaccination records and more. This data collection holds Morgan and Casey accountable to the highest standard of care for their pigs, both in the show ring and out.
Pig farmers across the nation are committed to exceptional animal care. The six We Care® Ethical Principles guide everything pig farmers do, from caring for their animals to stewarding the environment around the farm. The principles address animal well-being, the environment, food safety, public health, people and the community. These guiding principles ensure that pig farmers uphold the highest standards and always strive for improvement.
“We have to work together in swine production and all be accountable for our sustainability goals,” shared Morgan.
Morgan and Casey Lobdell serve on Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Agriculturist committee. This has been a great opportunity for them to steward relationships across the state. They appreciate the opportunity to learn new things and make new connections at Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Agriculturist Conference held annually. Farm Bureau conferences and events expose Casey and Morgan to new perspectives and help them learn new management strategies. Morgan encourages anyone interested in agriculture between the ages of 18 and 35 to get involved in the Young Farmer and Agriculturist program.
Leaders of the Land® is Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s brand for sharing sustainability stories. Monthly profiles highlight farmers across Wisconsin working hard to meet their environmental, social and economic goals.
Leave a Reply