Master Pork Partner

Each year, there are three people honored with this award, which recognizes:

  • An individual working in the pork industry who is not directly involved in the day-to-day, on-farm duties, but is critical to the success in pork production.
  • Veterinarian of the Year is a practitioner who has demonstrated positive impact on the health and well-being of pigs in their care, as well as the success and knowledge of their clients.
  • Driver of the Year is a TQA-certified livestock hauler whose work improves the health and well-being of pigs during their transportation.

Fillable PDF Nomination

Word Document Nomination

Nominations for the 2025 Awards are due July 15, 2025.

Download the full list of past winners, or view profiles of the 2024 awardees below.

Dr. Bob Blomme - Veterinarian of the Year

As a veterinarian at AMVC, Dr. Bob Blomme is deeply involved at every level of pork production.

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As a veterinarian at AMVC, Dr. Bob Blomme is deeply involved at every level of pork production. His role spans from working with on-farm animal caretakers to advising sow farm owners. As the veterinarian for multiple sow farms, Dr. Blomme oversees the health and well-being of the pigs, evaluates their performance, directs the use of on-farm medications, and guides farm leaders on industry best practices, including biosecurity protocols and responsible antibiotic use. He acts as a vital liaison between the farm, production staff, and sow farm owners, helping them navigate the complexities of management, animal health, and business decisions integral to pork production.

 

Dr. Blomme’s journey with AMVC began in 1990 when he joined as a mixed-animal veterinarian. Over the past 30 years, he has been instrumental in the company’s growth within the swine industry, working with various facilities, including boar studs, sow farms, nurseries, and grow/finish barns in Iowa, Missouri, and Arizona. Today, he primarily focuses on sow farms, striving to minimize disease risk, manage herd health, and ensure the production of healthy pigs.

 

A significant part of Dr. Blomme’s role as a veterinarian is to protect and promote animal well-being. He advocates for the pigs by diagnosing diseases, evaluating overall health, and directing employees and caretakers on best practices for animal care. Dr. Blomme collaborates with many veterinarians at AMVC to create responsible vaccination protocols and works with production teams to ensure these protocols are correctly implemented, ultimately producing safe food for consumers.

 

Beyond his professional duties, Dr. Blomme enjoys spending time with his wife, Linda, and kids Courtney, Jay, Allison, and Andrew. The Blommes are active members of their community. They participate in numerous organizations, including their church, the local community movie theater, the Rose Theater, and the Audubon T-Bone Committee. Their involvement underscores their commitment to giving back and enhancing community life.

Dr. Justin Kuecker - Veterinarian of the Year

Dr. Justin Kuecker is a partner at East Fork Swine Veterinary Services in Algona, Iowa.

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Dr. Justin Kuecker is a partner at East Fork Swine Veterinary Services in Algona, Iowa. Dr. Kuecker’s customers range from 4-H kids who have show pigs, all the way to advising large pork production companies. He acts as a vital liaison between the farm, production staff, and swine producers, helping them navigate the complexities of management, animal health, and business decisions integral to swine production.

 

Dr. Kuecker’s journey began on a swine farm in Algona, Iowa, established by his grandfather in 1955, focusing on purebred seedstock. From a young age, Justin was immersed in pork production, assisting his grandpa and dad with the pigs. This early exposure ignited his passion for animal health and agriculture.

 

After high school, Justin pursued his passion at Iowa State University, where he earned both his Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees. Upon graduating, he returned to Algona and joined East Fork Swine Veterinary Services. Over the years, Dr. Kuecker has been instrumental in the clinic’s growth, working with swine operations of all sizes.

 

Dr. Kuecker’s role within the vet clinic involves a wide array of tasks, including routine health checks, investigating health issues, managing vaccine schedules, and overseeing water medication protocols and feed programs. He also monitors mortality rates, tracks and monitors diseases, implements biosecurity protocols, and conducts training on best practices. Through these responsibilities, Dr. Kuecker ensures his clients’ swine operations run smoothly and thrive, maintaining a high standard of animal health and productivity.
Beyond his professional duties, Dr. Kuecker and his wife, Erin, are active members of their community, often involving their children Maxton, Leo, Ella, and Oliver as well. They are involved in numerous organizations, including their church, where they have served as youth group teachers. Justin has also volunteered and served on the Kossuth County Board of Health for eight years. He is a youth wrestling coach in Algona and volunteers at the Kossuth County Fair, conducting health checks on animals. Additionally, he often helps the Kossuth County Pork Producers grill at various events.

Bob Ries - Truck Driver of the Year

Today, Bob operates between seven and nine trucks, employing five full-time employees, two part-time employees, and two owner-operators.

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Bob Ries’s journey began in high school when he bought his first gooseneck trailer to haul hogs for his family. After graduating in 1991, he continued hauling hogs and cattle and upgraded to his first semi-truck and trailer in 1997. In 2002, he expanded his business by buying out Jeff Moser Trucking, increasing his fleet to four trucks and adding employees. Today, Bob operates between seven and nine trucks, employing five full-time employees, two part-time employees, and two owner-operators. Approximately 85% of his business involves hauling feeder and market pigs. Additionally, the Ries family owns and manages a wean-to-finish barn through JBS.

 

Bob’s commitment to the We Care principles is evident in every aspect of his business. Having a barn themselves, the Ries family understands both the trucking side and what it takes to run a barn and care for pigs. Protecting and promoting animal well-being is a top priority for Ries Trucking, ensuring his drivers wash every three loads, regardless of necessity, to maintain biosecurity. He installs his own sprinkler systems in trailers to meet his high standards and provide the best comfort for the pigs. The Ries family recently expanded their operation to include a hog buying station, in addition to trucking and wean-to-finish barns.

 

Bob’s understanding of both sides of the business sets him apart from other haulers. He emphasizes stellar communication, thoughtfulness, and a willingness to be mindful of producers’ schedules. Bob and his team are known for their professionalism, especially in challenging weather conditions, ensuring pigs are moved safely and barns do not remain empty during extreme weather.

 

The Ries family’s dedication to community service is commendable. Bob has been a board member of the Delaware County Cattlemen for over 30 years, serving as President for the last nine. He is also a member of the Delaware County Fair Board.

Dan Weber - Waukon, Allamakee County

Dan Weber currently serves as the Assistant General Manager at Waukon Feed Ranch (WFR) in Waukon, Iowa.

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Dan Weber currently serves as the Assistant General Manager at Waukon Feed Ranch (WFR) in Waukon, Iowa. As part of his role Dan oversees and collaborates with the swine department, guiding and mentoring both direct reports and other team members. His daily responsibilities range from handling day-to-day production issues to big-picture planning and financial forecasting for each sow unit. He is dedicated to the growth of WFR and the promotion of their high-quality pork products.

 

Working closely with contract growers, Dan ensures the production of safe and healthy animals, adhering to the We Care principles. He has played a significant role in improving manure disposal, lagoon management, and compost management, which are crucial for safeguarding natural resources and the communities they serve.

 

Dan takes immense pride in maintaining a safe and clean work environment. He ensures that facilities are well-maintained and that employees have the resources they need to perform their jobs effectively. One of Weber’s biggest initiatives since starting at WFR has been department wide meetings within the organization. The meetings aim to bring together all the pieces of the puzzle, to share and analyze financials and overall success to make sure everyone understands their inputs.

 

Dan, his wife Alicia, and their son Brayden are active members of St. Patrick’s Church in Waukon. Dan is also involved with Allamakee County Pork Producers and Iowa Pork. His past contributions include serving on the Southwest Iowa Community College Ag Advisory Board and lending his expertise at the Iowa State Fair Animal Learning Center and the Iowa Pork Tent.

 

Dan’s commitment to the swine industry is evident in his actions, as he consistently goes above and beyond to ensure the success of WFR. His participation in Iowa Pork’s Leadership Academy and the Pork Leadership Institute demonstrates his dedication to the industry. Additionally, his support of employees actively participating in the industry and engaging in leadership opportunities shows his drive for growth and longevity of the industry.