We were very excited to introduce some new categories into our 2019 Best of the Barns Awards back in December. One of those categories was Show Pig Operation of the Year, and for the first year we had an overwhelming amount of nominations, with Heimer Hampshires of Taylor, Missouri taking the honor. We sat down with Jesse Heimer, Owner and Operator of Heimer Hamps, to get to know some of the ins and outs behind this great operation. Check out our feature below on Heimer Hampshires!
How long have you been in the business?
Heimer Hamps was started in 2006
How did you get your start?
Grew up on a pretty traditional family farm with a commercial swine operation and row crops (corn, soybeans). My dad farmed until the 90s but barely made it out of the 80s with a family of five to feed. With that being said throughout the 90s and beyond didn’t look too promising. My dad turned the farm into an accounting business and phased out the swine business. Then, as a teenage, we had 4H pigs and about 30 sows. I learned how to raise pigs from my dad and showing through 4H and FFA. I graduated from college in 2003 sold all the pigs and stepped away from the industry for about three years. I got back in the game in 2006 and haven’t gotten out since.
How many sows do you run?
I don’t like to keep track, but we fluctuate from about 400-500 on any given day
What is your goal with your business and within the industry?
Our primary goal is to produce show pigs at a high level. When I say a high level that definition can be different depending on the region and the family. We want families to be competitive whether that be at the county, the state level, or even a national level. At its core, our goal is to be competitive in these junior livestock programs. On the genetic side of it we are proud of the track record that we have and the influence we have on show pig genetics. However, the opportunity to produce those genetics is just a side benefit to being competitive in the show ring
What do you take pride in within your business?
I don’t know about pride myself, but I feel very fortunate that we have the opportunity to make a living within this industry and as it stands today. It would be very difficult to make a living in the commercial swine business at our scale, but in the show industry at our scale, we can make a living. We can only do this because there is a lot of enthusiasm and support behind the junior livestock programs. That culture is what creates an opportunity for us to intern, create a livelihood, and make a living doing this. I’m very grateful for the opportunity. I think the junior livestock programs at their core are the lifeblood and the future of agriculture.
Where do you see your business in the future?
If COVID has taught us anything it is that this is still a privilege, not a right. Livestock shows and the junior livestock programs really are a privilege not right. I think we are going to have to continue to face challenges for this to exist and shows to be held. I think we will be facing more challenges Than ever to make sure that it is sustainable exercise and activity. Hopefully, we keep it sustainable, because then there is a bright future because there has never been more enthusiasm from moms, dads, and exhibitors (families) that participate. As long as we have sustainable shows and organizations that are supportive in making this a sustainable endeavor than the future of the industry and our enterprise is very bright. Then ultimately we can continue to make living at selling show pigs.
