Written by Colby Ferguson, TPPA Executive Director Eight representatives from Texas traveled to Bloomington, Minnesota, to participate in the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (U.S. SHIP) House of Delegates meeting Sept. 2–4. The program is a voluntary livestock health initiative that establishes a national platform for safeguarding, improving, and representing the health status of swine across participating operations. It is …
Written by Cash Martin, TPPA Intern LUBBOCK, Texas (Sept. 5, 2025) – The Texas Pork Junior Ambassadors (TPJA) completed a four-day leadership and industry tour from Sept. 2-5 across the Texas Panhandle and Central Texas, engaging with agricultural leaders, industry experts, and policymakers. The tour began Sept. 2 in Canyon at West Texas A&M University, where the ambassadors heard about …
Written by Kinsey Gardner, TPPA Intern In just three short years, Cole Farms has made a name in the show pig industry. Owned and operated by Troy Cole, his wife, Tiffani, and son, Hollis, Cole Farms is based out of La Coste, Texas. Currently, his operation runs about 23 sows focusing on spots, chesters, and crossbreds. Not only is Troy …
Written by the National Pork Board The health of the U.S. swine herd is critical to every pork producer’s livelihood and the industry’s future. Producers battle both everyday endemic diseases and the looming threat of foreign animal diseases (FADs) that could devastate their livelihoods. That’s why the National Pork Board (NPB), working together with key industry partners like the National …
Written by Cash Martin, TPPA Intern Breckyn and Bristol Slott are not your average sisters, they are hands-on hog breeders, stock show competitors, and future veterinarians all rolled into one. Breckyn (15) and Bristol (11) are the daughters of Joshua and Tracey Slott and reside on a generational family farm in New Waverly, Texas, along with their little brother Briggs …
Written by Cash Martin, TPPA Intern Each time you, as a young exhibitor, step into the show ring, you are doing more than showcasing months of hard work; you are also helping protect the health of the entire United States pork industry. It might not seem like a big deal when it’s just your one or two pigs, but with …
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – The Screwworm Coalition of Texas, a coalition of 13 Texas landowner, livestock, equine and wildlife groups, today launched a new website to deliver reliable information about the New World screwworm. The site compiles information from lead agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS), Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and Texas …
Written by Cash Martin, TPPA Intern LUBBOCK, TX – Twenty-four high school students from across Texas gathered in Lubbock to depart and participate in the 2025 Texas Pork Leadership Camp (TPLC) from July 21-25. This camp is a one-of-a-kind educational experience hosted by the Texas Pork Producers Association (TPPA). Held every other year, the intensive five-day program is designed to …
Addison Shook – Seminole, Texas Addison Shook, from Seminole, Texas, is the daughter of Weldon & Angila Shook. She will be starting her next chapter at Texas Tech University, studying both nursing and human sciences. Addison already has two associate degrees under her belt, those being her Associate of Science and Associate of Arts degrees from New Mexico Junior College. …
LUBBOCK, TEXAS June 15, 2025 — The Texas Pork Producers Association (TPPA) hosted its first-ever Texas Pork Youth Retreat June 12-15. Drawing youth from across the state to Lubbock, Texas, the weekend was packed with leadership development, pork industry education, and hands-on experiences in swine science. The inaugural retreat welcomed campers to the Texas Tech University campus, where they …
LUBBOCK, TEXAS June 14, 2025 – The Texas Pork Producers Association (TPPA) recognized outstanding breeders, exhibitors, and industry partners at its annual awards banquet. This event serves as the culmination of another successful year in the Texas swine industry, honoring those who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill, and passion. Breeders, exhibitors, and their families gathered from across the state to …
Written by Kinsey Gardner, TPPA Summer Intern LUBBOCK, TEXAS June 6, 2025 – Texas Pork Producers Association (TPPA) supported the passage of Senate Bill No. 1948 on May 22nd, which states that Texas legislation will not adopt the Fire Code 2025 Edition portion that advises all production agriculture nonresidential buildings to uphold a sprinkler system. In 2024, the National Fire …