The Oklahoma Pork Council continues to educate show pig exhibitors about the critical importance of strong biosecurity measures. Our team seeks opportunities to remind swine breeders, exhibitors, and their parents about everyone’s responsibility within the global pork industry.

One fun example of bridging this gap is the relationship between Cathy Vaughan of Smithfield Foods and Laverne sophomore Kensli Shaffer. Following the success of previous student biosecurity videos, Oklahoma Pork sat down with Kensli and Cathy, who serves as a mentor and friend to Kensli even beyond the pork industry, to get both their perspectives on a shared love of pigs.

Embedded above you can watch Kensli and Cathy discussing the importance of biosecurity on both a show pig and commercial level. “Biosecurity to me means keeping my pigs safe and everybody around me safe at shows,” Kensli shared. Cathy then discussed how biosecurity on a commercial level has many different moving parts.

Kensli is one of this year’s students participating in the first-ever Oklahoma Pork Partners Derby. As our members may recall, the derby is designed to offer opportunities for 8th-12th grade participants who have not previously exhibited swine projects with the goal of connecting the Oklahoma show pig and commercial industry. It is clear to see Kensli has fully embraced her new role as swine exhibitor, and we hope she (along with many of the other derby participants) use this opportunity to find their place in pork!