A unique collaboration among Oklahoma State University, the Oklahoma Pork Council, the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE), and other advocates for 4-H and FFA youth provided a special opportunity for 8th-12th grade students interested in pork production. In its inaugural year, the Oklahoma Pork Partners Derby had 45 students from 32 Oklahoma counties participate in the program. These students received hands-on assistance over 5 months to properly care for their Oklahoma State University-raised barrows leading up to the Derby show.

On Monday, Derby participants had an exciting morning at OYE with their pigs including the official weigh-in, ultrasound scans (loin eye area, backfat, percent lean) and a written knowledge test. Later in that day, the students showcased their swine projects in the show ring.

Alex Brooks, a member of Tipton’s Children Home, emerged as the 2024 Oklahoma Pork Partners Derby live placings champion. The top five overall winners across all competition categories were announced at last night's OYE Scholarship Presentation including Sloane McIntire, Hunter Duke, Stephen Wickerd, Kensli Shaffer and Alex Brooks.

As an important leader of the Oklahoma Pork Partners Derby, Oklahoma Pork's Matti Carlile is incredibly proud to be a part of bringing such a special learning opportunity to youth interested in pigs but who might not otherwise have the means to do so. These students could be our future workforce, after all. Several of this year's participants have already asked what's next in their pork industry journey. We're considering a visit to an Oklahoma commercial sow farm so they can see firsthand the potential of working in pork.