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Shane Meyer strives to optimize productivity and financial return for the farm owners of the Plymouth Ag Group, Diller, Neb. He implements new technology where feasible and strives to help his personnel develop superior animal husbandry skills.
It's this focus on doing things right that earned Meyer a place among the top five Honoring Pork Caregivers award winners. Nearly 50 pork professionals representing production systems from across the United States were nominated for the program, which was initiated this year to recognize individuals who consistently put forth the extra effort to exceed expectations. Winners received an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City and a $1,000 cash prize.
"We are pleased to recognize the Honoring Pork Caregivers winners for their vigilant pig care and their dedication to making positive improvements to on-farm practices," says Benjamin Church, senior marketing communications manager, Pfizer Animal Health, sponsor of the Honoring Pork Caregivers program.
Meyer is the sow herd production supervisor for Plymouth Ag Group and oversees management of a 2,500-head sow farm. He sets high standards for himself and his employees and promotes documenting processes to ensure that no critical step is omitted. He strives to give his best effort every day, not only for personal growth but for overall profitability of the operation, and to set a good example for his co-workers and employees. "If you don't have a team willing to work hard to make sure that every little detail of the operation is running smoothly, then it will never succeed," he says.
"Shane approaches most days with the attitude of making something better than it was yesterday," says Andy Schweitzer, DVM, veterinarian for Plymouth Ag Group. "He understands how critical it is to build a cohesive team of people who share a similar objective."
Meyer currently serves as president of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association and understands the importance of promoting pork and animal agriculture. "Feeding the world is an honorable career. I want to know that our food is produced and raised safely," he says. "We need to show consumers how much we care about our jobs and the measures we take to ensure we are producing a safe, healthy product."
"Shane and the other Honoring Pork Caregivers award winners are helping ensure a high standard of herd health management for their respective operations," adds Church, "and they provide a benchmark for the rest of the industry to achieve."
Visit PfizerPork.com/SalutetoProducers for expanded profiles and photos of the 2012 Honoring Pork Caregivers award recipients.
October 8, 2012 - Pfizer Inc.
