Iowa Select Farms

“Before the pigs come, the site has to be perfect—supplies in place, washed, inspected, controllers set right, fill plan ready,” says Senior Wean-to-Finish Supervisor Rodrigo Leon Villegas. For Rodrigo, the basics matter most. He reminds his team to stay on top of the details: get feed orders in 48 hours early, make sure feeders are empty and clean before new pigs arrive and never sit on health concerns. He also stresses the importance of keeping sites organized and always printing the fill plan, which contains critical information managers and supervisors need. Rodrigo’s bottom line is simple. Don’t cut corners. If something’s wrong, fix it—and fix it the right way.

“I’m grateful for the training program and the opportunity to be a part of the Iowa Select Farms system,” said CDL driver Kiley Cook as he hauled weaned pigs from Sow 22 on the Ponderosa up to Aredale Finisher. “It’s given me flexibility, independence and a whole new perspective on how important trailer wash biosecurity is.” Iowa Select Farms’ breed-to-wean farms produce 130,000 weaned pigs a week, and drivers like Kiley play a key role in moving them safely and efficiently to our wean-to-finish farms. Kiley’s career at Iowa Select Farms started in southern Iowa, where he managed the company’s truck wash. When the CDL trainee program opened up, he took the chance to step into the cab himself. That decision changed his career path and deepened his appreciation for the role that clean, biosecure trailers play in protecting herd health. Today, he’s behind the semi wheel, moving pigs to and from farms across Iowa. And while the view from the driver’s seat is different, Kiley says the mission is the same—supporting the farms, the pigs and the people who depend on our transport system.

“IPLA has brought me connections and opportunities I would have never imagined,” said Mackinze Hora, wean-to-finish supervisor. “The experiences gave me a whole new perspective on agriculture and reinforced the importance of sharing our stories.” Mackinze was recently selected to the Iowa Pork Producer’s Association’s 2025 Iowa Pork Leadership Academy (IPLA), where she represented producers at the Iowa State Capitol and on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The program also provided professional development training and opportunities to learn from agricultural leaders across the country. Most recently, she joined her IPLA classmates on a tour of North and South Carolina, shadowing crop farmers and visiting international shipping ports—seeing firsthand how pork products, just like ours, are exported around the world.

It warms our hearts to know our My Veteran Hero hats have made their way to Albaugh-McGovern American Legion Post 42 in Ankeny. A special thank you to Tim Hermsen, Senior Finishing Supervisor and U.S. Army veteran, for helping share these hats with his fellow servicemen and women. The My Veteran Hero program was created to honor the men and women who served our country. Through it, we provide hats embroidered with “My Veteran Hero” to veterans across Iowa, often hand-delivered by our own employees who are also veterans. It’s a small but meaningful way to thank them for their service and sacrifice, and to let them know they are appreciated. Through the My Veteran Hero Program, this special item symbolizes our collective gratitude for the brave men and women who have served our country. Each hat is customized with an embroidered emblem representing the military branch the veteran served in. This program is designed specifically to honor veterans—not those currently serving—and is open to those who either call Iowa home or reside there. Nominate here: https://lnkd.in/g_fM66Ta

Those serving in the armed forces make many sacrifices to protect our freedoms — time away from family, missed holidays, and moments spent in service to something greater than themselves. At Iowa Select Farms and the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation, we believe these sacrifices should never go unnoticed.   That’s why we’re proud to once again deliver the Pork Care Package Program in 2025 — a heartfelt thank you to Iowa’s military families.   Each year, Iowa Select Farms employees distribute care packages filled with $40 worth of coupons for pork products, including fresh cuts, ground pork, ribs, and bacon. These coupons offer more than just food—they help military families create meals that bring warmth, comfort, and connection to their homes, tailgates, and social gatherings.   In 2024, 16,304 Pork Care Packages were delivered to members of the Iowa Army and Air National Guard, the U.S. Army Reserves, Navy Reserves, Marine Corps Reserves, and ROTC cadets at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. The Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation also partnered with the Iowa National Guard’s Survivor Outreach Services to support 600 families of fallen soldiers, a humbling reminder of the deep cost of service.   Behind every package is a handshake, a smile, and a moment of recognition. For us, it’s about more than pork—it’s about making sure every service member knows their sacrifice is seen, appreciated, and remembered.   The Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation is honored to continue this tradition of gratitude and support for Iowa’s military families.

Rod Winker is retiring after 27 years of dedicated service to Iowa Select Farms. Known for his unwavering work ethic, Rod was often on the road before 5:00 a.m., covering sites throughout northwest Iowa in Sac County and working closely with caretakers and site managers to ensure everything ran smoothly. Rod’s supervisor, Jason Paysen, shared, “Rod knows the ins and outs of the finishing system and wants everything done right. But more importantly, he’s always willing to help others first.” That willingness to step in wherever needed, combined with his deep knowledge and steady presence, has made Rod a trusted teammate and friend to many. Rod’s quiet, humble nature and deep commitment to his work have left a lasting impact on the finishing team and his site managers. One of Rod’s managers contacted Jason, asking who would take Rod’s spot. The site manager said, “They should all be like Rod!” Rod’s influence was also a family affair, having worked alongside three of his nephews during his time with Iowa Select Farms. As Rod steps into retirement, he’s looking forward to spending more time with family, enjoying camping trips, and tackling a few long-awaited home projects. Rod, thank you for an incredible career. Your dedication and hard work have made a difference. Here’s to a happy and well-deserved retirement!

“I am going to miss the heck out of this guy,” said Ron Rush. After 17 years with Iowa Select Farms, Greg Tolzmann is hanging up his supervisor hat and stepping into retirement. His teammates say it’s hard to imagine the crew without him. Hancel Jimenez, who worked closely with Greg, called him “the grandfather of the group.” “We appreciate everything you’ve done,” Hancel said. “He’s helped a lot of us in so many ways. Greg was always there, teaching us to slow down and do things right because good outcomes will follow.” Greg started as a wean pig specialist in 2007, shortly after Austinville Feeders closed, where he had worked for 20 years. Over the years, he took on many roles—from running nurseries to managing finishers, and then stepping into supervising. His territory has always centered around Iowa Falls, Hampton and Grundy Center. When asked what stands out most, Greg says it’s always been about the people. “I really enjoyed things like the Iowa State Fair or Adventureland trips, just seeing how many people work for Iowa Select Farms,” Greg said. “It was amazing to see that kind of turnout.” He also remembers the camaraderie, weekend fishing trips, and friendships he’s built with fellow supervisors through the challenges they faced together. “The best advice I’d give someone starting here is simple,” Greg said. “Be ready for change. It’s always changing, but it usually works out.” As for retirement? Greg says he’s looking forward to traveling, hunting and fishing again—things he gave up once he became a supervisor. Still, he admits he’ll miss the daily conversations with his team. “My wife says she doesn’t know how I’m going to handle it—and honestly, I don’t know either,” he laughed. After 17 years, we thank Greg for all he’s given to Iowa Select Farms and congratulate him on his retirement.

“I love working with hogs,” says Hilario Garcia. With 20 years in the pig business and a year and a half as a contracted site manager with Iowa Select Farms, Hilario now oversees 17 finishing sites. For Hilario, success involves sorting, providing air/feed/water/care and communication. “You can save more pigs when you react quicker,” Hilario says. “That’s my priority.” Rodrigo Leon Villegas, Senior Supervisor, describes Hilario as the type of leader his team depends on. “Before the pigs come, the site has to be perfect—supplies in place, washed, inspected, controllers set correctly, fill plan ready. My philosophy is to choose the best managers, and Hilario is a part of that. He’s reliable, responsible and accountable, which I need from my supervisors and managers.” “Hilario is in tune with the pigs, he treats the right pigs, and he doesn’t wait around,” says Kris Kovach, DVM. “His quick action and quick thinking have saved pigs, especially when timing mattered most.” Rodrigo says Hilario stands out because of his communication. “He calls, texts, emails—he doesn’t just report a problem, he understands why it’s happening.” “While many might say, ‘let’s see what it looks like tomorrow,' Hilario knows waiting can mean lost pigs,” said Kovach. Hilario says this is the lesson he teaches his caretakers: “You have to always be observing, looking for clues and knowing when to fix something yourself and when to call your supervisor. Fast communication is essential. You have to stay ahead of problems.” He keeps things simple when teaching caretakers. “I tell them, think about how you care for yourself—you need food, water, the right temperature, fresh air. If you’re sick, you need medicine or a doctor. It’s the same for pigs.” He emphasizes sorting from the start—boars, small pigs and belly ruptures go into special pens for special care. “Don’t walk away or leave the site without addressing the issue. Be the nurse, be the doctor, take care of the animals, help them in the right way.” For Hilario, sorting, air/feed/water/care and communication are non-negotiables. Rodrigo calls it “the Holy Trinity,” adding, “We have to have managers with experience and commitment. Never cut corners. If it is wrong, fix it—and fix it the right way.” Paul Isaacson, Hilario’s direct supervisor, says, “I’ve enjoyed working with Hilario for several reasons. His knowledge, combined with the responsibility and ownership that he takes, is great. His passion for doing the right thing is priceless. He also does a good job of continuously training his crew for all his sites. He is among the best growers I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with.” Trent Myers, Director of Finishing for Western Iowa, agrees. “What makes him stand out is his accountability. He holds everyone accountable—himself, his team, supervisors and crews. He treats his sites and pigs as if they’re his own.”

We're pleased to announce that Brady Stewart will join Iowa Select Farms as Chief Strategy Officer. In this role, Stewart will be critical in advancing current and future business initiatives while leading value development, risk management and packer relations. Stewart is a seasoned industry leader with decades of experience building competitive businesses, developing strategies and investing in people and teams. Most recently, he served as Group President of Prepared Foods, Beef & Pork and Chief Supply Chain Officer at Tyson Foods. Before Tyson, Stewart was Chief Operating Officer at Smithfield Foods, following various executive roles, including Executive Vice President of Smithfield Hog Production. Earlier in his career, Stewart held executive leadership roles at Kansas City Sausage Co. and Pine Ridge Farms. An Iowa native, Stewart graduated from Iowa State University and holds a master’s degree in management, strategy and leadership from Michigan State University. “Brady’s experience building strong supply chains and relationships will help us continue to grow and advance our business,” said Jeff Hansen, CEO of Iowa Select Farms. “We’re also proud to welcome Brady back home to Iowa, where his roots and commitment to agriculture and food production run deep.” “This is a key step in transforming our leadership team for the future,” said Nick McCulley, President of Iowa Select Farms. “His leadership will be instrumental in carrying our strategy forward and positioning us to compete and succeed well into the future.” "We also want to recognize Todd Neff, who has been serving as Chief Strategy Officer, for his contributions and leadership," said Hansen. "Todd has been considering retirement for the past few months and has graciously agreed to stay on to help transition his role to Brady. While the timing of his retirement is not yet defined, we are grateful for his flexibility and support during this transition."

“The results we are seeing on this farm come from everyone’s hard work and dedication,” says Mario Orozco Hernandez, manager of Kramer Sow 4. “But also because we love what we do.” Kramer Sow 4 is home to 4,200 sows and a seasoned team that brings experience, energy, and consistency to every part of the farm. Strong leadership and teamwork help keep the farm moving forward. “Mario takes pride in his work and his team,” says the farm’s supervisor, Andres Robles Garcia. “He’s always working to make the team better.” Mauricio Valencia Manrique leads the farrowing department alongside Samael Gonzalez Rodriguez, Jose De La Cruz, Corina Juarez Cuevas, Emilio Cerda Garcia, Carolina Lopez Escobar, and Rodrigo Ceron Rojas. “Mauricio is a strong leader,” says Mario. “He’s patient and takes the time to teach his team the basics and why day-one care matters. That makes a real difference for the sows and newborn piglets.” In breeding, Antonio Rodriguez Lopez leads the team with support from Alan Yanez Tapia, Angelica Mejia Mendez, Vanessa Gonzalez Jimenez, Moises Gomez Vasquez, and Koraima Yaritza Villarreal Cruz. “Antonio’s been in this role for almost two years and consistently delivers strong results,” Mario adds. “The breeding team does a great job of consistently hitting their breed target.” Like every farm, Sow 4 has faced its share of challenges, but the goal has remained the same: raise strong, healthy pigs for the finishers. “This team knows how to adapt and get things done,” Andres says. “Whether it’s whitewashing and disinfecting to timely vaccinations or strict biosecurity, they do what’s needed – and it’s showing in the pigs they’re producing.” Mario says the credit doesn’t just belong to the team in the barn. “We couldn’t do it without the support teams behind us,” he says. “HR, Production Well-Being, our truck drivers, vets, maintenance crew, and our leaders – they all play a part in our success here at Sow 4.”