Russell Pedrett is the Herdsman and Farm Manager at Ottenwalter Show Pigs in Colusa, CA where he oversees 240 sows and markets approximately 1500 show pigs each year across the United States.

One word that best describes how you work: Methodically

Current Mobile Device: iPhone 5s

Current Computer: Some kind of Toshiba desktop and laptop. Honestly I don't know much about them other than they work well and are fast.

Current Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T5 

First , tell us what you feel separates your business from other operations in the show pig business? Quality, integrity, and service. We do the absolute best we can with each set of pigs, to not only produce a high quality, healthy, and consistent set, but also to represent them as honestly as we can. Additionally, we are always available after the pigs are sold to assist our customers with any questions they may have, and we always stand behind our product.

What websites, apps or tools can’t you live without? Why? Picasa Photo Editor. It's a free download and it works great. Also I have a calendar book that I use to schedule everything we do at the farm. It's always with me wherever I go.

How do you keep your to-list? You might laugh but I always keep a current litter sheet and sow sheet folded up in my back pocket. I write my to do list on there.

Besides your phone and computer, what gadget can't you live without and why? Those are pretty much all I need.

What do you listen to while you work? I don't usually listen to music at the farm (other than when my phone rings, the ringtone is Cruise by Florida Georgia Line).

What everyday thing are you better at than everyone else? What's your secret? I'm not sure I'm better than everyone at anything. I just do the best I can with what I've got to work with. One skill I've always had is I can identify pretty much any animal on the farm just by looking at them. Whether it's little pigs or sows, I usually know what each one is and how they're bred, and pretty much their entire history.

What are you currently reading? I don't have the time to read. If I read anything it is usually the latest copy of the Seedstock Edge.

How do you recharge? I will watch about an hour of TV every night before I go to bed. I put my phone up and just relax and try to get my mind off work.

What is your favorite and least-favorite chore? My least favorite is definitely treating sick pigs. There's something about it that just puts me in a bad mood. My favorite chore is just looking at pigs as I go through the farm each morning. Whether it is in the nursery, chip barn, or keeper gilt pen, I like studying what we have and how they're coming along.

How long does it take you to picture, sort and write a description for ONLY one pig in an online sale? That would be really hard to answer. Our last online sale featured 140 lots, and it took us approximately 16 hours to take the photos and probably another 16 to get them edited, emailed, and info uploaded to showpig.com. Then another 7-8 hours for descriptions. It's a long process!

Describe your ideal customer. Our customers that seem to get along the best are the ones who have faith. I get a lot of people that call and tell me their goals and what they're trying to accomplish, and then ask me to help them select their project(s). I will always do the best I can and be 100% honest with those people. The ones that actually listen and take my advice usually get along well with their pigs. Not because I'm any smarter than anyone, but because nobody knows our genetics like I do.

What's the best advice you've ever received? Just be as honest, upfront, and respectful as possible and always stand behind your product.