Engaging Future Veterinarians at ExpOSUre Event

As part of our Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness strategic intention, the Oklahoma Pork Council was excited to participate in the ExpOSUre: Livestock Docs event at the Oklahoma Youth Expo, collaborating once again with the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. This two-hour event introduces students interested in veterinary medicine to hands-on experiences critical to animal health and biosecurity. 

On Tuesday, Oklahoma Pork’s Matti Carlile kicked off the event with a 25-minute biosecurity exercise and icebreaker. Matti guided students through the difference between cleaning and disinfecting, reinforcing the importance of disease prevention in pork production. Following the exercise, participants rotated through stations every 10 minutes to gain hands-on experience with OSU College of Veterinary Medicine faculty. Stations included ear notching, surgical site preparation, suture removal, subcutaneous injections, ultrasound, and several other interactive learning opportunities. 

Oklahoma Pork values the chance to engage with these future veterinarians. For more information about Matti's biosecurity workshop or the “ExpOSUre: Livestock Docs” program, please reach out to her directly.

Oklahoma Pork Partners Derby Builds the Next Generation of Oklahoma Agricultur

The second week of the Oklahoma Youth Expo kicked off with the third annual Oklahoma Pork Partners Derby show, highlighting a program designed to introduce new students to the pork industry and strengthen the future workforce. The Derby began as a big idea from Oklahoma State FFA Advisor Scott Nemecek for the Oklahoma Pork Council in partnership with the Oklahoma Youth Expo, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma FFA Association, and Oklahoma 4-H. The goal is simple but powerful: give young people who may not have the resources to pursue a swine project the opportunity to care for their first pig. 

In 2025, 48 students applied to participate in the Oklahoma Pork Workforce at all Levels strategic intention effort. Their journey began at Draft Day in early November when participants received their pigs and started months of hands-on learning that culminated this week with the Oklahoma Pork Partners Derby show at OYE. Along the way, participants completed a variety of educational requirements designed to build real-world livestock and business skills. Students took part in knowledge tests developed by Oklahoma Pork, completed ultrasound scans and official weigh-ins, maintained record books, and developed marketing plans for their projects. They also learned key principles of animal care and biosecurity to keep both their pigs and others at the show healthy. 

Monday’s Derby show brought together a strong group of supporters celebrating the students’ hard work including Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, OSU Ferguson College of Agriculture Dean Dr. Jayson Lusk, Oklahoma Pork Council board members including Joe Locke, Dr. Suzanne Genova, Brett Ramsey, and National Pork Producers Council board member Joe Popplewell. 

It was truly an incredible day celebrating the exhibitors who committed months of work to their projects. We congratulate all participants and especially recognize the Derby’s overall sweepstakes winners:

1. Aileen Ordonez (Cherokee)

2. Emma Reames (Elmore City)

3. Peyton Roberts (Ringwood)

4. Adalyn Anderson (Blanchard)

5. Saphari Saunders (Fairview)

Programs like the Oklahoma Pork Partners Derby demonstrate how investing in young people today helps build the workforce and leadership pipeline that will sustain Oklahoma’s pork industry for generations to come. 

Leading the Way at the 2026 Oklahoma Youth Expo

The 2026 Oklahoma Youth Expo is underway in Oklahoma City, and leaders from the Oklahoma Pork Council are stepping up to serve the next generation of livestock exhibitors. 

As the world’s largest junior livestock show kicks off, OYE offers a unique opportunity for Oklahoma Pork to connect with thousands of pig-loving students and families. While biosecurity messaging appears on screens and announcements throughout the swine barns, a group of dedicated industry leaders is also working behind the scenes to keep the show running smoothly. 

This year, Brett Ramsey returned to the microphone announcing hundreds of student names and tracking results for more than 2,500 gilts. Oklahoma Pork President-Elect Dr. Suzanne Genova again is serving as the official show veterinarian ensuring the health and wellbeing of thousands of animals and educating exhibitors on biosecurity. Longtime pork industry leader, Rob Richard, continued his tradition of support at the scales and wherever needed throughout the barns.  

Supporting the effort are Oklahoma Pork staff members Matti Carlile, Kylee Deniz and Shay Stegmann assisting with technology, media relations, meals, and other show logistics. They are joined by dozens of college students including familiar faces from Oklahoma Pork leadership programs and the Pork Industry Group at Oklahoma State University. 

As the gilt show wraps up and the barns prepare for the barrow show next week, Oklahoma Pork is grateful for the many leaders and volunteers demonstrating the spirit of “One Pork” by serving students, families, and the industry at OYE. Follow Oklahoma Pork’s social channels for highlights and coverage from another exciting week at OYE.

New Youth Biosecurity Series Launches as World’s Largest Junior Livestock Show Approaches

Next week, the Oklahoma Youth Expo returns to Oklahoma City as thousands of 4-H and FFA members gather for the world’s largest junior livestock show. For families in the swine barns, biosecurity will be front and center thanks to the continued education effort from the Oklahoma Pork Council. 

Throughout both the gilt show (March 11-13) and the barrow show (March 16-19), Oklahoma Pork will share student-led videos, graphics, and public announcements focused on protecting Oklahoma’s pig herd during livestock movement. The 2026 series features three next-generation leaders serving as peer-to-peer spokespeople, reinforcing that biosecurity is a shared responsibility before, during, and after OYE. 

Leading off the series is high school senior Baler Lott, who outlines his personal biosecurity plan as he prepares for livestock shows. An FFA showman with aspirations beyond the show ring, Baler is interested in becoming a show pig breeder making his message especially relevant for younger exhibitors. His story reflects how swine projects often grow into a lifelong commitment to animal care and the pork industry. 

This student biosecurity series builds on Oklahoma Pork’s ongoing efforts to strengthen best practices within the show pig community. The videos are designed to be practical, relatable and easy to apply helping exhibitors and families protect herd health while enjoying a successful show season. 

Watch for the first video debuting tomorrow, and follow Oklahoma Pork’s social channels for additional biosecurity messages released throughout the show! 

Oklahoma Delegates Represent at 2026 National Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City

Oklahoma’s voting delegates recently wrapped up three days of representing our state at the 2026 National Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City. Pork Forum serves as the annual business meeting for members of the National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board, bringing together pork producers from across the country to shape the future of the industry. 

Because Pork Forum includes business for both national organizations, each state sends two sets of voting delegates. One group votes on Pork Checkoff matters through the Pork Act, while the other addresses public policy priorities through NPPC. Oklahoma’s 2026 Pork Act delegates were Hannah Bevins, Tom Layne, and Roy Cansler. Oklahoma’s NPPC delegates included Joe Popplewell, Cristina Carmona, Joe Locke, and Dr. Donna Drebes. Together, these seven delegates represented Oklahoma pork producers by voting on policy resolutions and the election of national board leadership. 

Oklahoma Pork is proud to share that longtime Oklahoma pork producer and past Oklahoma Pork Council president Joe Popplewell was elected to serve on the NPPC Board of Directors. With more than 30 years of experience across multiple swine production systems, Joe brings service, relationship-building, and advocacy at the local, state, and national levels making him well positioned to represent Oklahoma and producers across the country.

Celebrating National Pig Day This Sunday

National Pig Day is coming up this Sunday, March 1, and it is a great opportunity to recognize the important role pigs and pork producers play in Oklahoma agriculture and communities across the state. 

While the day is lighthearted, it carries an important reminder about the people behind pork and the daily commitment required to care for animals. From first-time 4-H exhibitors learning responsibility in the barn to multi-generation farm families and modern commercial operations, Oklahoma pork production reflects strong values, innovation, and stewardship. 

National Pig Day also provides a timely moment to connect with consumers and share how pork is produced in Oklahoma. Producers are guided by science, focused on animal well-being, and committed to protecting natural resources while delivering safe, affordable protein for families. These values help build trust and reinforce confidence in pork as a wholesome choice at the grocery store and around the dinner table. 

As National Pig Day approaches, Oklahoma Pork is proud to celebrate the pigs, people, and producers who make our industry strong. Happy National Pig Day from the Oklahoma Pork Council!

Check Your Mailbox for Stunning Annual Oklahoma Pork Magazine!

Pork Pages 2026 is here! This year’s edition is filled with the people, farms and highlights that made 2025 unforgettable for the Oklahoma Pork Council.  

This 52-page magazine celebrates our industry while highlighting Oklahoma Pork’s four strategic priorities and the people making them a reality. Oklahoma Pork’s Shay Stegmann worked tirelessly to make it shine, sifting through dozens of events and thousands of photos to highlight the stories that matter most while showcasing her modern, engaging design style. 

On the cover, you’ll see Roy Cansler of Seaboard Foods front and center, making his debut as the face of the new We Are Oklahoma campaign. His appearance reflects our mission to connect with Oklahomans and highlight the people behind the pork industry.  

Even in a digital world, there is nothing like holding Pork Pages in your hands, sharing it with friends, and celebrating Oklahoma pork. Copies are in the mail now,

Oklahoma Pork Engages at Oklahoma Farm Bureau Events

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau convened agricultural leaders from across the state last week, and Oklahoma Pork was proud to engage on multiple fronts throughout the week.  

Activities kicked off Monday evening at the Ag Defense Fundraiser, which brought together legislators, attorneys, university representatives, and agricultural leaders to support the legal defense of Oklahoma agriculture. Attendees enjoyed a candid conversation between new Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Stacy Simunek and Governor Kevin Stitt, who reflected on his final year in office and the importance of agriculture to Oklahoma’s future. 

The Oklahoma Pork table included Oklahoma Pork Board Member Brett Ramsey and his wife Lisa, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, State Board of Agriculture Board Member Brett Bolen and his son-in-law, and Dean of the OSU Ferguson College of Agriculture Jayson Lusk along with his wife Christy. The group also engaged around the growing momentum of the All For Food coalition. 

Then on Tuesday, the annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau Leadership Conference addressed timely challenges facing agriculture. All For Food appeared on the agenda for the first time with Executive Director Kylee Deniz sharing how the coalition was built by producers for producers to protect agriculture’s freedom to operate through credible narratives and strong alliances. 

Oklahoma Pork congratulates the Oklahoma Farm Bureau on an outstanding couple of days of leadership and collaboration that continue to strengthen and future-proof Oklahoma agriculture. 

"One Pork" in Action

You often hear our board and staff talk about "One Pork," Oklahoma Pork’s mission to serve everyone from a first-time 4-H exhibitor to the largest commercial pork producer in the state. Last week, that mission came to life during a full day of central Oklahoma show pig farm visits led by Dr. Suzanne Genova, Oklahoma Pork president-elect and one of the most respected show pig veterinarians in Oklahoma and across the United States. 

The tour highlighted the depth and diversity of Oklahoma’s exhibition swine community. We began near Wellston with visits to Sixty Six Ventures and Coulson Show Pigs hosted by Evan Green. From there, we traveled to the Jones FFA barn, where Brandon Stallings is doing outstanding work preparing students for success both in and beyond the show ring. In El Reno, Tanner and Sam Winter welcomed us to their operation, where they are raising their family, managing a boar stud, and supporting fellow exhibitors through feed sales. The day concluded at the Yukon FFA barn, where students are preparing for the upcoming Oklahoma Youth Expo.

The locations we visited fall under Dr. Genova’s veterinary oversight. The day was a powerful reminder that “One Pork” is more than a message. It is a commitment in action showing up across farms, generations, and Oklahoma communities.  

Connect with Your Oklahoma Pork Forum Delegates

The National Pork Industry Forum is just a few short weeks away and hundreds of pork producers from across the nation will gather in Kansas City from March 4 to March 6. Pork Forum serves as the annual business meeting for members of the National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board providing an important opportunity for state pork leaders to discuss a wide range of issues shaping the future of our industry. 

Because Pork Forum includes business for both national organizations, each state appoints two sets of voting delegates. One group represents Pork Checkoff business under the Pork Act, and the other represents public policy matters through NPPC. These delegates vote on national board candidates and proposed policy changes that impact pork producers nationwide.  

Oklahoma’s recently approved 2026 Pork Act delegates are: 

• Hannah Bevins 

• Roy Cansler 

• Tom Layne 

Oklahoma’s NPPC delegates include: 

• Joe Popplewell 

• Joe Locke 

• Cristina Carmona 

• Travis Vaughan 

Together, these seven individuals will represent Oklahoma’s pork producers and carry our state’s voice into national discussions and decisions. To learn more about Pork Forum and the issues that will be discussed, visit the Pork Forum website. We also encourage you to connect with one of Oklahoma’s delegates or reach out to the Oklahoma Pork Council in the coming weeks to share your insights and priorities before they head to Kansas City!