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This is What Showing Livestock is All About

Stock show kids are cut from a different mold. Driven by a purpose greater than themselves, they know it's up to them to help their animals thrive. I don’t know why this changes something in them, but it seems to equip them with an internal drive to push harder and work longer than others. In the end, they walk with a greater confidence and perspective. 

I think that’s why I love writing about young people who show livestock. Although their stories are different, common themes emerge.

  • A desire to help other people. 
  • A willingness to ask questions and seek to improve. 
  • A relentless pursuit of their dreams. 
  • A commitment to work harder than expected.
  • A belief in passing on what they’ve learned to others.
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Trending Video

Do Stress-Resilient Sows Raise Better Piglets? - Dr. Andrea Luttman

Video: Do Stress-Resilient Sows Raise Better Piglets? - Dr. Andrea Luttman?



In this special rerun episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Andrea Luttman from Michigan State University explores how gestational social stress affects sow resilience and piglet development. She explains physiological indicators like cortisol patterns, behavioral differences, and their implications for long-term performance. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Resilience to stress means animals are either minimally affected or can recover quickly after experiencing a stressor.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Andrea Luttman / andrea-luttman-47ab74171 is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University specializing in swine production systems management. She earned her Ph.D. in Genetics and Genome Sciences and focuses her research on swine physiology and stress resilience. Her work examines social stress in gestating sows, offspring development, breeding herd longevity, and gene-environment interactions to improve production efficiency and sustainability. Hear Dr. Luttman on The Swine it Canada Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.