Show Pig Conference Sponsors and Speakers
February 3, 2024 | 11:00 am - 5:00 pm EST
Kickoff Party February 2, 2024 | 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm EST
Brett Kaysen
Sick Pigs Don't Win - Biosecurity and Other Important Priorities from the Pork Checkoff
As an exhibitor and stock show family, it’s important to understand the swine industry and how important biosecurity is to protect it. Success in the showring not only depends on presence and showmanship, but the health of your showpig, too. Learn more about biosecurity, foreign animal disease preparedness and how the Pork Checkoff supports youth livestock shows from Dr. Brett Kaysen, senior vice president of producer and state engagement at the National Pork Board.
Brett L. Kaysen, Ph.D., is the senior vice president of producer and state engagement for the National Pork Board. He leads the organization-wide grassroot relations effort to support pork producers in their priorities and build trust and add value in U.S. pork. Dr. Kaysen believes strongly in youth leadership development and has served on the National Junior Swine Association as Youth Advisory Board Chairman, as well as coaching the Colorado State University Livestock Judging team for 6 years and holding extension positions.
He resides in Iowa, where he, his wife and their two daughters raise pigs and competitively exhibit locally and nationally.
Jenna Siegel Meteer
Showmanship: Tips & Tricks to Sort You to the Top
Showmanship is subjective, but what tools can you have in your toolbox to put you ahead, regardless of who the judge is. This session will help showmen build skillsets outside of technical ability that will set them apart.
Jenna Siegel Meteer grew up in central Ohio raising competitive show pigs, along with a small herd of cows. She judged competitively at Lincoln Land Community College and Iowa State University. She now works at Compeer Financial where she is a Swine Credit Officer. Jenna has judged in over a dozen states, at five different state fairs, and at the national level. She and her husband Chance run seedstock Hereford cattle in Piatt County, Illinois and plan to build a sow herd in the near future.
Cora Key
Defining The Why: Becoming a Leader in the Industry
Red Ribbons often lead to blue ribbon lessons; this session will focus on leadership and educational opportunities outside of the show ring. In this industry we raise pigs to raise our kids, in this session scholarships, skillathon, leadership conferences, and other opportunities will be highlighted, with a focus of increasing involvement and success in sweepstakes, public speaking, and personal branding while showing livestock.
Cora grew up as an active 4-H and FFA member in Tennessee exhibiting sheep and swine across the Southeast . Some of her top honors include Tennessee State Champion market hog and 4th overall Tennessee bred market lamb. She completed an Animal Science Bachelor’s degree and Agriculture Resource Economics Master’s at The University of Tennessee. During her undergrad, she was on the UT livestock judging team and earned a top 20 individual finish at the North American Internal Livestock Expo. She served as assistant coach to the team while earning her masters. Cora’s first career was a 4-H Extension agent where her 4-H livestock judging team completed an extremely successful run including being named the National champion junior team at the ARIZONA National livestock show. Now Cora currently serves in the role of Events and Education Manager at the National swine Registry in West Lafayette, Indiana where she oversees the NJSA and was recently awarded the University of Tennessee top 40 under 40 alumni award.
Seth Ebert
Livestock Judging: Understanding Structure and Functionality
Livestock judging is taking the “sport” of livestock to the next level. Come learn about how livestock judging can help you take the next step in becoming a successful livestock exhibitor. It can help crisp your eyes and help you build relationships to continue your involvement in the hog world way after your showing days are done. Don’t be left on the outside looking in after your showing days are over. Come learn about how your life can be changed now and in the future through livestock judging.
Seth Ebert, Owner and Operator of Mohican Valley Genetics in Ashland Ohio. Seth obtain his associates degree from Casper college as well as a bachelors degree from Colorado State University. He managed A Cut Above Sires\ Hirschfeld Livestock for 4 years post college. Seth judges shows at the jackpot, county, state and national level.
He Moved home in the fall of 2019 where he has raised state/national level Duroc and Yorkshire show pigs. He is now the livestock judging coach at Ohio State ATI.
B.J. Eick
Receiving Pig: Getting a Good Start
The first month of your project is the most crucial. The care and environment you provide often determines the success you are going to achieve. Come learn about helping your pigs get off to a good start and thriving so they can reach their full potential.
B.J. Eick is passionate about the agriculture and livestock industry. He is the founder of herdly.io, a new website for stock show families where you can learn with online video lessons from the best breeders and feeders in the industry. B.J. and his wife Marlene are great advocates for youth in their community, state, and the country.
Dr. David Farnum
Feeding Like a Pro: Secret Tips and Tricks
Does it feel like others have an advantage when it comes to feeding tips and tricks? Are others reluctant to share their secrets to feeding? Come learn how to feed like a pro and utilize additives to take your project to the next level.
Maddie Fugate
Mindset Matters: Developing a Growth Mindset
Have you ever found yourself comparing yourself to another showman or another show family? Do you and your parents ever butt heads after leaving the ring? Comparisons are success killers and joy killers. Don’t get caught measuring success by comparing yourself to others. Come learn about developing a successful mindset, produce results and help you enjoy the process, no matter the outcome. Parents and exhibitors alike will not want to miss this session.
Victoria Johnson
Success at Home: Winning Starts in the Backyard
Banners and ribbons are handed out at the show, but winning happens in the backyard. Practicing showmanship skills in the backyard is crucial to help reach your goals. Come learn how to develop a walking routine that will set you up for success in the ring for both showmanship and in your breeding or market class.
Lena Kline
Mindset Matters: Developing a Growth Mindset
Have you ever found yourself comparing yourself to another showman or another show family? Do you and your parents ever butt heads after leaving the ring? Comparisons are success killers and joy killers. Don’t get caught measuring success by comparing yourself to others. Come learn about developing a successful mindset, produce results and help you enjoy the process, no matter the outcome. Parents and exhibitors alike will not want to miss this session.
In Lena’s shared session with Maddie Fuggate, she is excited to share with you about her growth mindset, how she continues to grow as a showman, how goals have played a role in her success, and how to have fruitful conversations that promote growth and communicate respect.
Lena started showing pigs when she was four and Lena currently is in her 3rd year of 4-H. Lena has shown at jackpots, the county fair, and state fair. Lena is on her school leadership team and enjoys investing in others. Lena enjoys sports, watching THE Ohio State football team, reading, and spending time with siblings and friends.
Chloe Mabry
Becoming an Elite Showman: How to Stand Out from the Crowd
You have worked so hard at home now it is time to set yourself apart from others and become elite. Come learn what to do in the first 10 seconds that will set the tone and leave a lasting impression in the judge’s mind. Showing with a bunch of other showmen can be chaotic, but come learn how to navigate the ring in a way to communicate that you are in complete control and “stand out.”
Jim McCoy
Pig selection: Choosing the RIGHT Ones to Feed
Are you looking for THE perfect pig that can compete for a banner or win it all? Have you ever purchased a pig only to have it fall apart and not look the part? Have you ever had a pig develop structure problems? Starting with the right one can eliminate a lot of problems down the road. Come learn from one of the best minds in the industry when it comes to pig selection.
Carman Montgomery
Whip-Breaking and Training Your Pigs
Properly training your pigs is so important. How you train your pigs can make a project enjoyable or can leave you frustrated for months on end. Come learn about how to build a solid relationship with your pig and properly whip train so that your pig and you become a team and you enjoy working together throughout the entire project.
Kelly Morgan
How to Successfully Jackpot: Gaining Invaluable Experience
Jackpotting is an awesome opportunity for you and your hog to gain invaluable experience. Come learn some tips to make jackpotting a valuable learning tool and how it can provide important connections and relationships.
Isabella Nunez
Whip-Breaking and Training Your Pigs
Properly training your pigs is so important. How you train your pigs can make a project enjoyable or can leave you frustrated for months on end. Come learn about how to build a solid relationship with your pig and properly whip train so that your pig and you become a team and you enjoy working together throughout the entire project.
Lynsee Shaffer Pullen
Winning with Walton Webcasting: Studying to Become Elite
Are you looking to gain a competitive edge? Come learn about how to use Walton Webcasting to improve as a showman. Lynsee’s young kids are absolutely dominating in the ring. Come learn about how Lynsee and her family are studying and preparing to set them up for success in the ring.
Julia Weaber
Healthy Pigs for Purple Ribbons: Creative Methods to Stand Out
Have you ever thought or said “I am giving a lot of shots” or “I have tried a variety of treatment methods and my hog still isn’t getting better”? Come learn about holistic treatment options that can help get your hogs back on track. Having one more person in your corner to make sure your hog stays healthy and sound is a no-brainer.
Julia Weaber, Owner and Founder of Surge MagnaWave Therapy grew up in Central Kentucky with a primary focus on exhibiting show cattle, and raising production based Angus and Limousin Cattle. In 2019, as Julia’s show career approached its final days, she knew it was time to invest in the industry that had been a substantial part of her upbringing. Julia launched the Surge Brand in the spring of 2019, and now the company consists of 6 practitioners, strategically located across the U.S and Canada. Julia resides in Chrisman, Illinois where her and her better half, Parker, live at Hi-Point Genetics, a full service boar stud and show pig firm. Julia attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, and is currently attending Kansas State University majoring in Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences, she will later attend Palmer School of Chiropractic to obtain her doctorate in Chiropractic. Julia has a deep passion for a collaborative approach between holistic and modern medicine to maximize your livestocks health.