How They Work: Keplinger Farms

July 19, 2024

Keplinger Farms evokes a fast-paced and intense environment when it comes to their operation, but as you peel the layers back, you’ll also find an element of fun, enjoyment and a true love for the show pig industry.

Keplinger Farms, located in Springfield, Ohio, specializes in breeding Crossbreds, Durocs, Hampshires, and a few Yorkshires and Berkshires. With approximately 150 sows, the farm has been in operation since 2006, marking 18 years in the business. Their primary mission is to produce competitive show pigs for sales across the country, aiming to help kids and their families create unforgettable experiences. The man behind it all is Seth Keplinger.

Seth says, “I got my start in the show pig industry when I was 9 years old after my Dad bought me a few sows, whose offspring I competed with at the county fair. When I first started in this industry, my main goal was to win my county fair and produce boars. As I've grown older, my goals have evolved. While I still aim to win as much as possible, I now also focus on targeting and succeeding at different shows across the country.”

Recently, Seth and his family have made advancements in their show pig business, including the establishment of a show barn to display and sell prospects from. Their commitment to remaining a full-time showpig producer and preserving their original farrowing house is a reminder of cherished childhood memories, and a testament to their dedication and passion for the industry. It is inspiring to see the continuation of a family tradition and the preservation of heritage within the business.

While Seth may be the man in charge, Keplinger Farms owes their success to a plethora of people involved in the day to day operations. From daily check-ups on facilities to feeding guidance, breeding decisions, and various farm tasks, it is clear that everyone contributes to the smooth functioning of the farm. The collaborative effort of Seth, Evan (Herdsman), Eli (Oldest Son), Kenzie (Fiance), Clara (Middle Daughter), Cinton (Youngest Son), Jim (Seth’s Dad), Elaine (Seth’s Mom), and the boys, showcases a strong sense of teamwork and dedication to the farm's operations.

Seth commented, “Each day in our operation is a little different, as each season brings a little bit of a different dynamic to the table. To describe a current day around here right now, first thing get up and check the farrowing houses and nurseries, and then once the boys get here, we begin to do chores, with pen cleaning, feeding, and we do seem to have some kind of construction going on at all times. This seems to be our afternoon chore.”

The roles at Keplinger Farms:

Seth - Daily check ups on facilities, make sure nothing needs fixed and check on health throughout the herd. He also makes the breeding decisions and the everyday things involved with being a full time show pig producer.

Evan (Herdsman) - Evan has been a HUGE part of the farms' recent success! Evan does all of the feeding guidance when it comes to the personal show pigs and also helps several families that purchase and need guidance when it comes to helping with diets and proper preparation to get them ready for the show ring. Evan is also an integral part in breeding decisions, especially when it comes to the crossbred side of things.

Eli (Son) - His role at the farm in the spring/fall is to whip-break pigs for the live sales that Keplinger Farms attends. Eli is also the main reason the farm has Durocs, so most of the breeding decisions are made by Eli when it comes to the Duroc division. Seth says "Eli is also quick to tell us what we need to breed our top crossbred sows too…. Sometimes we listen."

Kenzie (Fiance) - She is the Swiss army knife!! Always willing to help with so many different things on the farm, whether it is help with farrowing, breeding, feeding, paperwork when it comes to signing up for shows and health certs, cleaning pens, and one thing that she is always doing is laundry... if you ask her!!!

Clara (Daughter) and Cinton (Son) - If you ask the boys and Kenzie, these two are the reason that Seth stays happy and things aren’t too intense 24/7 at Keplinger Farms.

Jim (Seth’s Dad) - He is definitely the grounds keeper and the main reason the farm always looks the way it does. He also helps out a lot when we are all off at shows.

Elaine (Seth’s Mom) - She is the main cook at the farm and babysitter. She is also what Seth considers to be their biggest supporter. No one loves us like Mom and Granny does!!!!

The Boys - Hunter, Cole, Layne, C.J., Allen, and Austin, who are here to always help with daily chores, feeding sows, cleaning pens and helping also when we are at shows!!!

Keplinger Farms’ biggest accomplishments to date include:

Raising the Grand Barrow at the Ohio State Fair Junior Show in 2019
Raising the Grand Cross Gilt at the Ohio State Fair in 2022
Earning Fourth Overall Purebred at the Exposition in 2023
Being named the Reserve Grand Cross Gilt at the Exposition in 2024
Winning the Cross Barrows at NJSS and Team Purebred.

Their dream accomplishment for the next 5-10 years is to win a Texas Major.

Seth acknowledges that the most challenging aspect of raising show pigs is when a plan does not come together, while the most rewarding is when a plan successfully materializes. He finds enjoyment in raising show pigs due to two main reasons: his fascination with genetics and observing how they function in mating matchups, and witnessing the success of children and their families in the show ring.

In terms of the individuals who have impacted Seth the most in the show pig world, three names stand out as the most influential: Jerry McLemore, Kevin Ricker, and the late Bill Funderburg. These individuals have significantly shaped and mentored Seth, providing invaluable knowledge and opportunities for learning in various areas such as sow families, boar selection, animal husbandry, and facility design. Seth expresses deep gratitude for their guidance, which has left a lasting impression on him.

One piece of advice Seth has for a young show pig producer is to “Remain FOCUSED and soak up all the information you can from the guys that are having success and then put your own twist on it.”

FAVORITE SHOW:

The Exposition

FAVORITE PIG RAISED:

Wake Up Call - He was one that I call a natural, meaning that he continued to get better and better everyday. We neever had to do much to him for him to look the part. Probably one of the most rewarding things I’ve experienced in this industry is the guys who bought in on this boar to use!!

LEAST FAVORITE CHORE:

Doing pedigree paperwork!!

FAVORITE CHORE:

Studying pigs, whether in the nursery, chipbarn, keeper gilt pen or the sow lots.

ONE PERSON TO TALK TO AND LEARN FROM:

There are so many breeders and influencers I get the privilege to talk to on a daily basis that I consider major influencers. But there is one I would tell young people to pay attention to and gather up as much information as you can: Shane Brinning, this is a guy who has remained successful in this industry for decades at a very high level!!!