Oklahomans Take Over Iowa for WPX 2026

Perfect summer weather prevailed as more than 10,000 pork producers and supporters convened in Des Moines, Iowa, this week for our industry's "family reunion" known as the World Pork Expo (WPX). Each June, WPX serves as an amazing opportunity for Oklahoma Pork's staff and many of our members to learn from industry experts and connect with strong partners like our allied industry sponsors, national organization colleagues, and more.

The 2026 WPX trip included several highlights, including road tripping with our delightful summer interns Rachel Swinford and Halle Pullen during their first week on the job. After only one day to get settled in the Oklahoma Pork Council office on Monday, Rachel and Halle jumped straight into team bonding with the staff as we traveled to one of our favorite events of the year. Over the next few weeks, our members will have the opportunity to learn more about these brilliant next generation pork leaders, but for now keep reading to get their WPX perspectives in stories shared below.

What interesting timing to be surrounded by thousands of pork producers when Wednesday’s news of the first confirmed New World Screwworm (NWS) case in the U.S. was announced at Expo. Amidst educational sessions and other WPX fun, our Oklahoma Pork crew worked with ODAFF to stay updated on the evolving situation and offer to help however possible. If you haven’t seen the latest guidance on NWS precautions that Oklahoma livestock producers should take, click here to read it for yourself. State Agriculture Secretary Blayne Arthur and State Veterinarian Dr. Rod Hall will both continue providing coaching during the response to this South Texas confirmed case.

Additional great moments came when we spent time with likely the most Oklahomans we have ever seen during WPX, including board members, sponsors, and young professionals. We even coordinated a fun "Next Gen Oklahoma Meet-Up" for several of the students and early-career participants with Oklahoma Pork ties to interact. As usual, Oklahoma Pork Executive Director Kylee Deniz represented our state with incredible wisdom when she participated in two panels championing our state's diverse pork industry throughout the week. We were also proud to have Oklahomans Joe Popplewell and Dr. Suzanne Genova "riding for our brand" while attending Expo in their national leadership positions.  

Thank you to our production companies who participated in WPX in any way, and thank you to the allied industry partners who helped make the week a worthwhile experience. If you were not able to visit Iowa yourself this year, keep reading to enjoy a few highlights of the week and click here to see more photos from Oklahoma Pork's time in Des Moines.

New AI Tool From WPX Could Revolutionize Pig Care

While taking in all the innovative technology and equipment offered at this year's World Pork Expo, college student Rachel Swinford was most impressed by a new Artificial Intelligence chat bot designed to help manage swine health.

Story by Oklahoma Pork Summer Intern Rachel Swinford

What a way to complete the first week of my internship at World Pork Expo! The food, fun, and travel laughs could easily sum up some of my favorite parts of the experience. However, as I reflect on the trip, what stands out most is the opportunity to meet so many incredible people. Everyone we encountered was genuinely interested in our involvement as young professionals and never failed to tell Halle, my fellow intern, and me, “Let us know how we can help in your future careers.”

While the people and the food were top-notch, what continues to amaze me is the technology that evolves year after year. Just when you think the pork industry cannot become more innovative, the WPX trade show proves otherwise. I had the opportunity to attend a tech tour showcasing many exciting advancements that should inspire the current and next generation of pork producers. From cameras that can detect head counts to geneticists exploring ways to limit disease through gene editing, the future of the industry is incredibly dynamic. However, one innovation stood out to me the most: Charlotte AI, developed by SwineTech.

I understand that using artificial intelligence (AI) in swine production may be considered a “hot take,” but hearing about the advantages of Charlotte AI were truly captivating. Charlotte allows producers to tailor data specifically to their operation, meaning her responses align directly with each farm’s unique protocols and management guidelines.

Additionally, one of Charlotte’s most noticeable features is her ability to improve both animal welfare and operational communication. By analyzing real-time data, she can help identify potential health concerns earlier, allowing for quicker and more informed decision-making. This reduces the communication lag that can sometimes occur between farm workers and managers when addressing medical recommendations or treatment plans. I had the opportunity to speak with Stacey Voight, a SwineTech employee, and asked her, “If you could describe Charlotte in one sentence, what would it be?” Her response was, “To elevate all employees to the same knowledge level and provide access to manager level information, allowing them to get answers quickly.” 

I believe Stacey’s statement effectively captures the potential positive impact that Charlotte AI could have on a farm!

WPX Spotlight: Pork Industry Group and Beyond

Recent Oklahoma State University graduate Jaden Kindt just began her two-year pork industry "immersion program" role where she will rotate through positions with the National Pork Board, the National Pork Producers Council, and then a state pork association. Jaden credits participation in Oklahoma Pork's college leadership program as her best preparation for this unique career experience to find her place in pork production.

Story and Photo by Oklahoma Pork Summer Intern Halle Pullen

Growing up as a member of the show pig community, I heard story after story of the famous World Pork Expo! Stories of the Big Grill, the branded “swag,” and the new technologies that companies came to market took priority in each of these stories. However, by the time I made it to the show, it had been rebranded to The Exposition and was just like any other pig show. Nevertheless, this week I finally had the opportunity to attend the event that I had heard about for years on end: World Pork Expo!

As we entered the fairgrounds I could not help but stand in awe as I observed the big white tents for what seemed to be miles and a sea of people who all had one thing in-common: pork. It was truly a mind-boggling experience. Throughout the course of the next two days, I had the opportunity to shake more hands than I can count of highly respected members of the pork community, as well as new and old friends. Jaden Kindt, National Pork Board (NPB) State Pork Industry Relations Manager, was one of my favorite faces to see in Des Moines.

This past school year, Jaden and I both had the opportunity to serve as members of Pork Industry Group at Oklahoma State University, where our friendship first began. During the selection process for the National Pork Board (NPB) and National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) Immersion Program, Jaden shared with me how both nervous and excited she was to hear back from the selection committee. A week later, I saw her again and she shared the best news ever: that she had been selected for the program and would spend the next two years learning the ins and outs of NPB, NPPC, and eventually make her way to serving alongside a state association. Jaden graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in May and made the trek from Stillwater, Oklahoma, to Des Moines, Iowa, to begin her role.

Jaden started with NPB on May 26, 2026, and is already soaking in the culture of serving pork producers. Jaden said, “As a national organization, we value the opinions and feedback of our pork producers across the nation.” Jaden shared that she is thankful that the position allows her to take this feedback and use it in serving as the middleman between producers and consumers. She finds it extremely rewarding to be able to represent all pork producers, no matter the size of the farm, and be a constant voice for them while they are consumed by the daily task of feeding the world.

“The knowledge and networking that Pork Industry Group provided me gave me the confidence to apply for this position, and I could not be more grateful for that,” Jaden shared. Hearing her say that reminded me of the impact Pork Industry Group has had on all of us. I’m especially grateful that the program brought Jaden into my life. It was incredibly rewarding to watch her thrive at World Pork Expo, and I look forward to staying connected with her and cheering her on throughout the next two years and beyond.

Hundreds Participated in Annual Blood Drive

At the start of every summer, our board and staff are proud to host the Oklahoma Pork Council Pre-Memorial Day Blood Drive in partnership with Our Blood Institute (OBI) across the state. This annual event has long served as one of OBI's most successful drives of the year, which helps meet an increased need going into the upcoming holiday weekend and beyond.

Throughout all drive locations last Thursday and Friday, donors received a free pulled pork sandwich, a free "35 Years of Makin' the Bacon" shirt, and free admission to Frontier City or Hurricane Harbor this summer. Although total donation numbers continue to trend down in recent months, the Oklahoma Pork Council celebrates the almost 800 Oklahomans who participated in our blood drive throughout the state. In addition to the 10 permanent OBI donor centers hosting Oklahoma Pork's drive, we were excited to host mobile donation centers in two proud pork-related communities of Hinton and Holdenville. 

After a busy Memorial Day weekend for many of us, there is no doubt your selfless donations have already helped Oklahomans in need. If you weren't able to participate in Oklahoma Pork's recent drive, but still want to give blood this month, check out the OBI’s upcoming drives and donation centers page.

Pork Shines During Ag Day at the Capitol

Earlier this week, the Oklahoma Pork Council celebrated one of our favorite days of the year: Oklahoma Agriculture Day at the State Capitol. Led by our friends at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF), Ag Day brings together hundreds of agricultural advocates to showcase our state's diverse food and fiber system while educating policymakers during the legislative session.

This year, the Oklahoma Pork Council worked with Butcher Stand Barbecue out of Wellston to serve 85 pounds of mouth-watering "pork belly burnt ends" while our ODAFF friends debuted an impressive Oklahoma-themed charcuterie table inspired by our past pork giveaways. In total, Oklahoma Pork's continual-crowd-favorite booth distributed close to 500 meaty pork snacks to legislators, staff, and Capitol visitors. Additionally, we shared hundreds of Oklahoma Pork giveaways branded under our new "Proud to Provide" image campaign and a fun "Boar'n to be Wild" promotional campaign, both designed by our talented Shay Stegmann.

Oklahoma Pork leaders Tom Layne, Travis Vaughan, Cathy Vaughan, Hannah Bevins, Dr. Suzanne Genova, Roy Cansler, and Joe Popplewell used leading our booth as an opportunity to make Oklahoma pig farmers approachable to the public. As folks inquired about the delicious BBQ and our fun new swag, we got a moment to share pork's story in a relatable, bite-sized way. Oklahoma Pork's soon-to-be summer intern Rachel Swinford also kindly joined us to promote pork in the scenic State Capitol Rotunda. All together, our passionate crew of pork industry Ag Day volunteers made an impressive impact.

A big thank you to our members who represented Oklahoma's pork producers at this exciting event, and an even bigger thank you to our members who produce a quality product that is easy to celebrate!

Get to Know Our Newest Board Member

Earlier this spring, respected pork industry leader Cristina Carmona stepped back from her role on Oklahoma Pork’s board of directors. This transition opened an At-Large board seat for the summer, allowing a new producer to be added onto Oklahoma Pork's leadership team.

With that change, please join the Oklahoma Pork Council as we welcome Pati Law of Guymon to her appointed role representing Prestage Farms on our board of directors until Pork Congress in August. Pati, who serves as a Human Resources Manager for Prestage Farms, has worked in pork production for almost 20 years. 

When asked about her career and what she looks forward to in this new board role, Pati shared, "I am proud to be part of an industry that upholds high standards in animal care, responsible production, and delivers a high-quality food product. I am especially proud of the employees I work with and the dedication they show every day to production excellence and doing things the right way. I am most excited about the opportunity to support the pork industry and represent the people who work every day in production." 

Pati believes her experience in Human Resources can help her advocate for those across the pork pipeline who truly make our industry possible. She has participated in Oklahoma Pork activities like the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (U.S. SHIP) House of Delegates Meeting and Pork Congress before joining the board. When she is not serving pork producers, you can find Pati traveling, golfing, reading, or spending time with her family - especially her two grandchildren.

Oklahoma Leaders Meet with Pork Board CEO

On Tuesday, board members and other leaders from the Oklahoma Pork Council enjoyed a special opportunity to meet with the new National Pork Board (NPB) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. David Newman when he took part in Oklahoma State University (OSU) Dean of Agriculture Jayson Lusk's "Dean's Dialogue" speaker series. 

Our board members and around 50 other guests enjoyed hearing Dr. Newman's interesting perspective as a pork producer turned NPB board member turned NPB CEO as he was interviewed by Dean Lusk about his background, his current role, and his advice to others connected to pork production. Dr. Newman discussed the Pork Checkoff's vital role for industry research, education, and promotion and his plans for the $90 million budget and 90-person staff that he oversees. 

From animal health challenges like Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) and Pseudorabies Virus (PRV) to changing consumer trends, Dr. Newman proved to be a wealth of first-hand knowledge about the challenges our industry faces. He repeatedly shared he believes pork producers have an incredible opportunity right now to prosper, and that NPB can assist this growth by prioritizing data-driven support in pork quality, animal health, and strengthened relationships. 

Both in the Dean's Dialogue presentation and a special meeting with Oklahoma Pork's board members, Dr. Newman shared his support for integrating increased technology into our industry through Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and the unique opportunity pork can have as an affordable, lean protein in the current U.S. health culture. He spoke candidly with our board about a variety of issues, and thanks to playful prodding from Kylee Deniz we even have Dr. Newman on video agreeing his favorite state pork association is right here in Oklahoma!

HANOR Leads Historic Pork Donation After Storms

Photos by Halle Pullen

After a recent E4 tornado devastated the Enid community, our friends at The HANOR Company sprang into action. Mobilizing several partners in the area, HANOR leaders coordinated a 40,000 pound pork delivery to benefit impacted families, first responders, and volunteers leading the expansive recovery effort. 

Dan Schiedel, CEO of United Way of Enid and Northwest Oklahoma, helped mark the donation's arrival to Enid's Sidwell Distribution Center with a small celebration ceremony. Enid Mayor David Mason joined HANOR CEO Mauricio Diaz and Vice President of Human Resources Tom Layne to thank area pork producers for this historic gift. 

“In the face of devastation, we’ve been reminded of what endures: faith, compassion, and commitment to one another,” Dan Schiedel shared. “While homes were lost, we are grateful that every life was spared. This gift of 40,000 pounds of pork tenderloin is more than food, it is a symbol of hope and unity. We are deeply thankful to The HANOR Company, Triumph Foods, and the Oklahoma Pork Council for standing with Enid as we recover together.” 

Tom Layne, who also serves as President of the Oklahoma Pork Council, shared that the donation came to life thanks to proactive support from HANOR's partner Triumph Foods and several other deep connections in the state. 

“Together, we are supporting families impacted by the storm, with assistance from Sidwell Distribution and coordination through the United Way of Northwest Oklahoma, alongside first responders and volunteers leading recovery efforts,” Tom said in acknowledgement of heartfelt collaboration with other groups to make the response as timely and useful as possible. 

Oklahoma Pork was proud to play a small role in this touching act of generosity. Thank you to our friends at HANOR for leading in your community. This coordinated response reflects the strength of the our state's pork industry, coming together to provide safe, affordable, nutritious protein while supporting neighbors through recovery. Click here to see coverage of HANOR's donation in the Enid News and Eagle.

Rewarding Students Raising Swine Herds

Another special opportunity the Oklahoma Pork Council enjoyed during this week's State FFA Convention was celebrating three outstanding students who breed and raise hogs for their Swine Production Entrepreneurship Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects. This award recognizes students who best use management practices to produce and market their own swine.

Ridge Garrett of the Guthrie FFA Chapter earned first-place honors in the 2026 Oklahoma FFA Swine Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award area sponsored by the Oklahoma Pork Council. Grant Gosney of the Aline-Cleo FFA Chapter and Landon Chartier of the Mulhall-Orlando FFA Chapter earned second- and third-place honors, respectively. 

Demonstrating how much pork production can truly be a family business - Ridge is the younger brother of Pork Industry Group alumna Maysen Garrett who was serving at Oklahoma Pork's booth this week. Ridge's SAE project focuses on raising, breeding and exhibiting show pigs while building a productive breeding herd. His daily responsibilities consist of managing the feeding, health care, facilities, and breeding and financial records of his herd. He evaluates the structure, performance and productivity of his show gilts and retains the top females for his breeding herd to strengthen his genetics.

“One of my most satisfying accomplishments as a young breeder is selling pigs to other FFA members and watching those exhibitors succeed in the show ring,” Ridge shared when reflecting on his swine project. “Seeing animals I raised help another student gain confidence, earn awards, and enjoy success makes the work rewarding beyond profit.”

Oklahoma Pork is proud to see students gain hands-on skills breeding and raising quality pigs. We hope all three of these FFA members consider future work opportunities in commercial pork production, and we will continue to actively recruit talented students with a passion for raising quality pigs to our industry. Click here to read the full press release on the 2026 Swine Production SAE award.

Celebrating Great "Pig Kids" During Sessions

Wednesday night, Oklahoma State University (OSU) student Cooper Kline completed his tenure as Oklahoma's State FFA President. Despite that big change, we are confident what will not waiver is Cooper's years-long involvement with the Oklahoma Pork Council. From livestock shows to Oklahoma Pork Congress and many touch points in-between, Cooper has proudly been a "pig kid" who has taken full advantage of many opportunities to engage with Oklahoma Pork. 

Earlier this week, Cooper's longstanding connection with Oklahoma Pork was sweetly acknowledged in front of thousands of FFA members and guests when he publicly thanked our executive director Kylee Deniz on stage as one of his greatest mentors in the swine industry. Kylee and several board and staff members have enjoyed supporting Cooper over the past five years, and we are excited to see what his future holds within the pork pipeline. 

Another highlight during general sessions within the BOK was Oklahoma Pork's fifth year securing 10 coveted "Very Important Person" seats right in the action of State FFA Convention. We continued the tradition of selecting various FFA chapters who are home to shining stars within Oklahoma's pork industry to sit in the Pork Council VIP row during general sessions throughout the week.

For the 2026 State FFA Convention this week, here are the chapters we invited to bring 10 students to our VIP row for a session under the bright lights: Meeker FFA, Yukon FFA, Hydro-Eakly FFA, Tipton FFA, Stillwater FFA, and Wellston FFA. Our team loved watching these students light up feeling extra special for their love of pigs as they enjoyed part of convention with an awesome view.