Jayme & Scott Sieren, Keota

Brothers Jayme and Scott Sieren began their work with pigs at an early age, showing swine projects for 4-H. Today they run a farrow-to-finish operation and specialize in purebred breeding stock. Their herd consists of about 100 sows, along with 10 boars on stud for semen purchase as well as to utilize in their own operation.

After graduating from Iowa State University in Ames in 1983, Scott began a 50-50 partnership with his dad on their commercial hog operation, raising Farmers Hybrid Hogs. Jayme returned home in 1987 after spending two years at what’s now Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo. At that time, he took over his dad’s half.

But Jayme wasn’t sold on continuing with what he considered “average” animals. He’d judged livestock in high school and college and saw value in the consistency of purebred lines. So he purchased a Yorkshire boar and started making Yorkshire cross females.

It didn’t take long for the brothers’ efforts to start garnering results. In 1993, they had the champion Yorkshire boar at the Iowa State Fair. Around 2000, they had another champion boar at the Indiana State Fair. They’ve since added other breeds, and in recent years have experienced the most success with Spots. They now cater to youth and the show pig sector, with customers across the country.

“Seeing those kids who wake up every morning and want to go out and chore and walk their pigs and take care of their livestock—that’s what keeps me motivated to do what I do on a daily basis,” Jayme says. “They’re the future of what we have to look forward to in ag.”

Besides pigs, the Sieren brothers farm about 1,000 acres of corn and soybeans, and have hay ground. Jayme also has beef cows, while Scott runs a sheep operation with about 60 ewes.

Both still find time to volunteer in their communities. Scott is a township trustee and Eucharist minister, and helps with the Keota Community Youth Ministry, a group geared toward service work and fundraising. Jayme is a 4-H leader and active with his church’s parish council.

Jayme and his wife Angie are parents to Logan, 22, and Lauren, 20. Scott and his wife Renee have three daughters Staci, 35, Shelby, 31, and Shawna, 27, along with five grandchildren.