Fire Breaks Out Overnight at Illinois Pig Farm

Apr 17, 2023

A fire broke out at Cedar Ridge Farms, a seedstock swine operation owned and operated by the six sons of the late Fred and Betty Grohmann near Red Bud, Ill., early on April 14.

Multiple area fire departments from Red Bud, Hecker, New Athens, Baldwin and Waterloo responded to the blaze in a hog building that caught fire shortly after midnight, the Republic-Times reports. The fire resulted in substantial damage to the structure as well as the loss of several pigs.

The Grohmanns told local reporters that the cause of the fire and the cost of damages and losses are not yet known. However, they said things could have been worse. One of the barns was completely empty and the other had hogs they were getting ready to send to market, many of which had recently been shipped.

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Video: You Be The Judge: Evaluating 8 Breeding Rams!

It's time for some honest feedback here at Ewetopia Farms! Today, we’re showing you all eight rams we used for breeding this year. Instead of just presenting them, we thought it would be fun to create a “Ram Report Card” — where we point out both their strengths and areas for improvement.

But here’s the twist: you be the judge! In the comments, let us know what you like about each ram and what you think could be improved. No ram is ever perfect, but every one of them brings something valuable to the flock. By sharing perspectives, we all learn more about what to look for in good breeding stock.

At Ewetopia Farms, we raise registered Suffolk and Polled Dorset sheep, focusing on high-quality genetics, structure, and friendly temperaments. Evaluating breeding rams is part of the bigger picture of building stronger flocks — and we’re excited to share the process with you.

If you enjoy seeing how we evaluate our animals, follow along by subscribing to our channel. We share daily insights into the joys and challenges of sheep farming here in Canada.