Purebred Customers from China Learn About STAGES™

This past week, NSR hosted a group of visitors from China at the office in West Lafayette, Ind. The group, accompanied by Professor Wang of China Agricultural University, included buyers from three different Chinese companies. Throughout the visit, the buyers were escorted by George Bruns and Chuck Bastrom of Ag-World Inc., and Nicholas Zhang of China Animal Husbandry Group.

L to R: Professor Wang, Dr. Clint Schwab, & George Bruns

NSR CEO, Dr. Clint Schwab, and Director of Genetic and Technical Services at NSR, Dr. Justin Fix, hosted the meeting, which centered on the Swine Genetic and Testing Evaluation System (STAGES™). STAGES™ is a program developed by the National Swine Registry to facilitate genetic improvement through calculation of the most economically significant traits in purebred swine production. The international breeders, all customers of U.S. purebred genetics, were interested in the intricacies and daily functions of the genetic program. To learn more about STAGES™, click here.

Combined, the group of producers selected over 1,000 head for shipment from the U.S. to China this coming February.

Purebred customers from China visit the NSR office to learn about the STAGES™ program. 

New Year Brings New Additions to NSR Team

The 2012 New Year’s celebration included the addition of two new staff members to the National Swine Registry – Brian Anderson and Jen Gillespie.

 

Anderson joined the NSR team of field representatives and will be covering the Southwest territory (see the map below). Brian will visit breeders across the Southwestern region of the U.S. and attend NSR shows and events to promote the purebred use of Doroc, Hampshire, Landrace and Yorkshire swine. You can follow Brian on the road through the NSR Fieldview blog here.

NSR CEO Clint Schwab is excited to have Anderson on board: “Brian brings to the position many years of experience in different facets of the livestock industry,” Schwab says. “He was raised in the purebred swine business, which spurred his obvious passion and understanding of the purebred swine industry. We are excited to have someone with his background and expertise joining our team and representing the NSR and its members.”

Anderson obtained his bachelor’s degree in animal science production from Kansas State University and has a lifetime of knowledge and experience in the swine industry, as well as extensive involvement with livestock shows, clinics and camps across the United States. Most noted for his nearly two decades of coaching junior college livestock judging teams at Coffeyville Community College and Fort Scott Community College, both in Kansas, Anderson has guided many highly competitive teams and served as the National Junior College Judging Coaches’ Association president.

The second addition to the NSR team, Jen Gillespie, started her work as the Director of Marketing & Communications the first week of January. She will work out of the West Lafayette office, overseeing the communications division of the organization. Gillespie will be leading the production of Seedstock EDGE, as well as pursuing marketing opportunities thorough social media and interactive technology.

“I am excited to add someone of Jen’s caliber to the NSR team,” Schwab says.  “Her background and experience will prove a valuable resource to NSR members as she leads the Marketing and Communications team. We look forward to exposing her skill-set in building increased awareness of the programs within NSR and leading the future development of marketing resources for NSR members.”

The Kansas native holds a master’s degree in agricultural communications from Oklahoma State University and a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from Kansas State University. Gillespie brings valuable purebred and livestock marketing experience from her industry relations internship with Certified Angus Beef, LLC, as well as ag policy experience from 6 months with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. In addition, she boasts publication production knowledge gained as the editorial assistant for the Journal of Applied Communications and videography skills learned through an internship with SUNUP Television at Oklahoma State.

If you would like to welcome our new staff members or if you have any questions for them, feel free to contact Brian at brian@nationaswine.com or Jen at jen@nationalswine.com.

Grimm and boar may appear in Extreme Makeover: Home Edition tonight

Tune into ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition this evening at 8 EST/7 p.m. CST to try and catch a glimpse of Yorkshire breeder Jim Grimm and his boar, JGR Big Easy 12-5.

Grimm and "Big Easy" visit with some of the show's crew. The Grimms used the opportunity to educate the public about swine production.

The Grimm family was on-site while the Extreme Makeover crew filmed this evening’s episode in northwest Iowa, and Big Easy was invited to give a cameo performance in the opening scene.

All together, more than 1,000 community volunteers, including the Grimms, helped the Gibbs family rebuild their home.

To read more about the Big Easy’s big debut click here, or visit ABC’s Extreme Makeover website to get more details on this evening’s show.