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About the Cover A fresh take - a new vantage point, youth are the backbone to breathing life and ingenuity into any industry. Agriculture is no different! Our cover this month, takes a spin on the iconic American Gothic painting. We threw out the solemn farmer and spinster sister, and replaced them with bright, young and ambitious kids. Kymbre Kupatt and Brady Leach, both from Haskell, Texas served as our cover models. |
Trent McKnight has traveld the globe in support of agriculture, now his passion is leading him to politics.
A guide on what to expect when an offer is on the table.
Young swine showman, Cannon Brown, found a way to turn a problem into a successful entreprenurial opportunity.
Exclusive interviews with some of the best and brightest of the industry as they discuss their jobs and provide career advice.
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Take your Love of Agriculture to New Places
Spring wardrobe must-haves
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Tips & tricks fromt he desk of Lacy
Seeking the Skills By Jessi McClellan
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17 May 2012, 7:01 am
For someone who enjoys being outdoors, working with livestock and doing something different every day, Russell Pedrett’s job is a good fit for him.
His experiences have led him to career satisfaction through helping raise numerous champions and having the opportunity to impact a young crop of swine enthusiasts.
Q: What is your official title?
A: Farm Manager for Ottenwalter Showpigs, a 150-sow showpig operation in Colusa, Calif.
Q: What is your educational background?
A: Modesto Junior College, associate’s degree; University of Nebraska, bachelor’s degree; both in animal science
Q: What does your career entail?
A: I do the day-to-day management of Ottenwalter’s showpig farm, which entails several things. Feeding, breeding, herd management, mating decisions, pig selection, processing litters and maintaining inventories of feed and health products are the majority of my hands-on jobs. As far as customer relations, I organize three yearly pig sales, attend various shows and sales, handle advertising and web updates and assist young customers with feed and health management.
Q: Can you describe a day in your life?
A: Most days consist of feeding, farrowing, breeding, managing and talking to customers. I am not able to spend every day at a show, but I do have some time in the ring too – most notably driving the $130,000 and $100,000 reserve champion crossbred boars back-to-back years at the Indiana State Fair.
In fact, I get to travel the country, meeting and interacting with judges, buyers and showmen from the Midwest to my home on the west coast.
Q: How did you land your job?
A: When I was finishing my degree at the University of Nebraska, I learned that Mark and Sandy Ottenwalter needed a herdsman for their growing herd of elite crossbred females. The opportunity presented itself at the right time, and I was able to obtain the job.
Q: Any advice to younger generations?
A: Work at whatever it is you want to do. Hard work pays off in this industry. And know it’s OK to ask for help. There are always people willing to help you learn and improve as long as you ask questions.
Pedrett says working for a swine industry leader allows him to interact with many people. He even gets asked to judge several shows. But his favorite part of his job is to be able to work with producers who are just getting started.
“I enjoy being able to help provide some advice or genetics to help them improve,” he says.
Those who come looking for a knowledge base, combined with champion hogs, will find themselves at home in the company of Pedrett and Ottenwalter Showpigs.
