Parker Sow Farm Wins SelectPride Top Farm
posted on Saturday, June 22, 2024
“This team’s work ethic is unmatched,” said Joe Becker, manager of Parker Sow Farm near Diagonal. “It’s a team effort, and we strive to do the right thing every day on our farm.”
Joe reflects on his Sow 16 team, which recently earned the prestigious SelectPride “Top Farm” award for outstanding performance earlier this year. This recognition is not unfamiliar to the Parker team. Since the inception of the SelectPride program, the farm has achieved top ten rankings 21 times, with five being in the number one spot.
Congratulations to Joe Becker, Paige Auffert, Javier Godinez Ledezma, Rox Gutierrez Diaz, LeRoy Jensen, Maria Concepción Lopez Navarrete, Jesus Ramos Berrelleza, and Valeria Rodriguez Hernandez!
Joe attributes the farm's smooth operations and success to the team's positive attitude and the supportive environment they've cultivated. In short, Joe considers them a family.
"We've formed a strong bond," he said. "What makes Sow 16 unique is our culture. We've become like a family here. We support each other, celebrate together, and always help each other out."
“It’s always a pleasure to visit this team because it turns into a day of teaching,” said Phillip Barncastle, the farm’s supervisor. “Their eagerness to embrace change and strive for improvement is unmatched.”
Phillip highlights their focus on biosecurity and production well-being as key drivers of their success. “Their attention to safety, biosecurity, and animal care is fundamental and lays the groundwork for achieving their farm targets,” he said. “There are a lot of good people here. They can have fun, and performance follows.”
Phillip also praises Joe's passion and leadership, which shines daily at the farm. “Joe knows how to raise pigs,” he said. “But more importantly, he knows how to connect with people. He does a great job of involving everyone.”
Joe has been a loyal Iowa Select Farms employee for 16 years and admires the company's culture and values. “I appreciate the leadership behind Iowa Select Farms,” said Joe. “It’s a great company with even better people.”
Following their recent success, Joe is determined to maintain his team’s momentum. Every team member plays an integral role. As for the future, Joe says they will continue to provide excellent pig care and teamwork while having a little fun!
Way to go, Sow 16 team!
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