Pork Congress 2012 - Iowa Pork Producers Association

2012 Iowa Pork Congress Re-Cap
David and Kim Friese
Washington, Washington County
The Friese family operates a 550-head nursery and 1,100-
head finisher in Washington County. Two nearby finish facilities
David built are leased to a local producer.
They have an ownership share in Walnut Meadows Sow Center that supplies 550 weaned
pigs every nine weeks. Market hogs are sold to Excel in Ottumwa.
David has been raising pigs for 21 years and provides labor and management for the
hog operation. He is PQA Plus-certified and the sites have been PQA Plus-assessed. David and Kim also farm 750 acres
of crop ground.
The Frieses are active in church and school activities and serve on the Washington School Advisory Committee and as
volunteer classroom aides. A retired fire and rescue member, David still helps with fire safety demonstrations for schoolchildren.
He is active at the Washington County Swine Fair and helps grill for county pork functions.
David and Kim have three sons.
Ben and Janelle Johnson
Ireton, Plymouth County
Ben has raised pigs for five years since graduating from
South Dakota State University. The Johnsons are part-owners
and operators of two 2,400-head wean-to-finish buildings and
Ben finishes hogs on a contract basis for a large integrator.
Ben has shown his commitment to doing things right by earning certification in the
pork industry’s PQA Plus and TQA programs and having his production site PQA Plusassessed.
The Johnsons live on a Century Farm and Ben raises 550 acres of row crops with an uncle.
Ben and Janelle are both active in the Iowa Farm Bureau. They currently are on the Young Farmer Advisory Committee
and have been recognized as emerging young farm leaders. Ben is active in the Plymouth County Pork Producers
Association and participates in grilling and other activities. Janelle is office manager for the Iowa State University
Extension office in Plymouth County.
28 March 2012