Congratulations to our July Farmer of the Month, Bob Peter!
Bob and his wife Nicole own Peter Family Show Pigs in Cleveland with the help of their two sons, Brayden and Bryce. Bob and Nicole both have backgrounds in agriculture. Bob showed pigs as a kid and Nicole grew up on the dairy farm which the couple has transformed into a hog farm.
Being a show pig operation, the pandemic has had an impact on them with a majority of Wisconsin fairs being canceled. Bob said there were a few things that were different for them this year. They had a few orders canceled, they lowered their prices, and they lost a decent amount of money this past Spring that they normally would’ve made by selling show pigs. Luckily, they still managed to sell a good amount of pigs this season.
Every side of agriculture has a certain thing they struggle with. Bob and Nicole both agree that when it comes to the swine industry, market prices are the tough part about it. “It honestly doesn’t pay to send them off because you’re gonna get nothing for them,” said Bob. He said the million dollar question is why grocery stores are selling meat for so much money when the farmers are making nothing.
Despite the hard times, Nicole said that her favorite part is when the piglets are born. They also agree that another side of raising pigs that they love is watching their sons show.
Bob brought up how the boys have learned a lot over the past few years, not only when it comes to showing, but they’ve learned real life lessons that’ll stick with them forever. “The life lessons that they’ve learned out here…that’s something you can’t teach,” said Bob.
Once again, thank you to all of our Wisconsin farmers. We appreciate everything you do for us!
