Simon Wagner and family
For Simon Wagner, farming isn’t just a livelihood. It’s a way of life.
“I grew up around the corner from the farm where we live today and worked hard to build something I can share with my kids,” Wagner said. “Eventually, they’ll be able to take over what I started here.”
A fourth-generation farmer, Wagner rotates 2,000 acres of crops on his Shelton spread in addition to managing a cow-calf operation. In 2017, he added 5,000 pigs to the mix under a contract growing agreement in a strategic move to diversify his holdings.
As a contract grower, Wagner receives groups of newly weaned young pigs from Fairbury-based Livingston Enterprises and then raises them to market weight, a process called “finishing,” which takes around six months.
“We’re in charge of all day-to-day care of the pigs in our barn, including sorting and any medications they may need,” Wagner said. “If their feed rates and water consumption are high, you know that they’re happy and healthy.”
For both parties, the arrangement is a win-win and goes toward supporting an efficient, reliable pork supply chain. Livingston gets access to the facilities and labor needed to raise its pigs in a safe environment, and Wagner earns a consistent monthly payment for his efforts without the risk of market fluctuations. As an added bonus, he also gets the benefit of a steady natural manure supply to fertilize the rest of his farm.
“It’s somewhat like renting an apartment,” described Seth Mitchell, executive director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association. “The grower provides the facility and care, while the integrator owns the pigs and typically offers inputs such as feed, veterinary products and other supplies associated directly with the animals.”
In the end, Wagner’s proud to play a role in providing consumers with a tasty, affordable source of protein they can enjoy.
“People might not realize the amount of hard work that goes on behind the scenes before a pork product ever makes it to the grocery store shelves,” he said. “Next time you go get your egg McMuffin, think of us, because there’s a good chance we grew some of that pork for you!”
Simon and his family give back to their community through Future Farmers of America participation, pitching in to plant and harvest 14 acres of ground at the Wood River School, and volunteering in local groups.
“These are the people that you go to church with, the people that shop at your grocery store and support your local booster programs,” Mitchell said. “Pork farmers are passionate about what they do. They’re just trying to make a living, support their families and do right by the pigs. I hope people recognize that and have trust in where their food comes from.”
To learn more about the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, go to nepork.org. Funded in part by the Nebraska soybean farmers, the Soybean Checkoff, the Nebraska Pork Producers and the Pork Checkoff.
