The Championdrive Podcast – Episode 3.9

Pigs, Pigskin & Careers (Jennifer Slagle, WinMor Farms) + B.I.G. Things in Ohio + Creep Pen Essentials
Release Date: January 7, 2026
Host: Steve (Championdrive.com)

Episode Overview

This packed episode weaves together professional insights from Jennifer Slagle of Winmor Farms (a leading show pig operation), news on the new B.I.G. (Breeders Impacting Generations) program in Ohio, and expert “creep pen” nutrition tips from Essential Feeds. The show explores key parallels between the show pig and show lamb industries, the importance of maternal lines in livestock, career and life-balance wisdom for young professionals, and navigates college football recruiting chaos as Jennifer shares her son’s high-profile journey. Whether you’re a breeder, exhibitor, or livestock parent, this episode delivers a blend of practical, personal, and business takeaways.

Key Segments & Timestamps

• [04:39] — Creep Pen Nutrition Essentials with Barrett Carlisle (Essential Feeds)
• [09:19] — Ohio’s B.I.G. Program Explained with Luke Snyder
• [18:53] — In-Depth Interview: Jennifer Slagle, WinMor Farms (Pigs, Pigskin & Careers)

Creep Pen Essentials: Advice from Barrett Carlisle

[04:39-08:20]

Key Discussion Points

• Foundation of Good Condition:
  A high-quality base creep feed is crucial in preparing young animals for sale, whether private treaty or live auctions.
• Product Options:
  Multiple textured and pelleted feeds are available, with choices in medication (decox, rumensin).
• Supplement Recommendations:
  • Uniform: A highly palatable, water-suspendable liquid fat supplement; can be syringe-fed, enhances water intake and condition.
  • Foundation: A daily top-dress for gut health and mineral support.
  • Chub: Pelleted, omega-rich; offered free-choice near sale time to boost “bloom” and bulk.

Practical Tips

• Uniform administration:
  Add a few pumps to a 2.5–5 gallon bucket based on group size to avoid waste ([06:06]).
• When to start supplements:
  Implement from ~30 to 45 days of age, as lambs/pigs start drinking more ([06:38]).
• Chub usage:
  Offer free-choice, don’t mix in main feed. Expect visible results as sale day nears ([06:57]).
• Year-round utility:
  417, 418 feeds, Foundation, Uniform, and Chub can be used straight through the sale season ([07:25]).

Quote

“They’ll really go to that [Uniform] product because it is highly palatable… You get them drinking more and it can kind of add some more condition to them.”
— Barrett Carlisle ([06:06])

B.I.G. (Breeders Impacting Generations) Program—Ohio State Fair

[09:19-17:20]

What Is B.I.G.?

• B.I.G. = Breeders Impacting Generations:
  A breeder- and sponsor-driven 501c3 non-profit focused on raising funds and providing awards for junior sheep exhibitors at the Ohio State Fair.

How It Works

• Open Enrollment:
  Any breeder nationwide can join ($500 buy-in per sheep type) via SC Online Sales until Feb 1st ([12:18]).
• Payout Model:
  For the Junior Fair market wethers, the top placing exhibitors from sponsored breeders win $300 (1st) and $200 (2nd) per class ([10:15], [12:09]).
• Expanding Scope:
  Funds above and beyond will support ALL youth shows during both market and breeding weeks.
• Long-Term Sustainability:
  An endowment fund is being created to keep the program thriving for “generations” ([14:08]).
• Who can sponsor?
  Any breeder from any state, not just Ohio. Also open to friends, families, and businesses (lots 3–5) who want to support but don’t raise sheep ([16:10], [16:57]).

Notable Quotes

“We want to make sure this is something that sticks around, kind of in the name for generations, to help these kids out.”
— Luke Snyder ([14:08])

“It is open to any breeder in the country… We would be glad to have you.”
— Luke Snyder ([16:10])

Main Feature: Jennifer Slagle (WinMor Farms) — Career, Show Pigs, Family, and Football

[18:53-84:50]

Jennifer's Background and Family

[18:53-20:07]

• From Grinnell, Iowa; background in diversified livestock, especially show pigs.
• Family: Husband Don, children Will (top Iowa football recruit) and Anna (showing sheep).
• WinMor Farms: Began in Wisconsin (2006–07); moved to Iowa in 2014.

Professional Journey at John Deere

[20:07-25:46]

• Education: Ag Business major with a Spanish minor (Iowa State).
• Career Path:
  • Hired by John Deere at graduation.
  • 2.5 years with Wells Fargo, then back to John Deere.
  • Roles in sales, marketing, and account management—focus on crop input financing.
  • Currently manages sales division with multiple regions, still working remotely.
• Balancing Farm & Corporate Life:
  Vacation and leisure time often sacrificed for farrowing and farm needs; leverages strong family and hired help ([25:46]).

“You find that a lot of your vacation time is invested in the farm.”
— Jennifer Slagle ([25:46])

WinMor Farms: Philosophy, Growth, and Female Focus

[27:21-36:59]

• Genesis:
  Rooted in Jennifer’s family’s livestock handling; began as a “side project/hobby” post-college—small steps led to serious business as quality and customer demand grew.
• The Power of Females:
  Tagline: “The Nation’s Most Talked About Females.”
  Early strategy emphasized acquiring and building elite female lines (not just show winners, but based on crucial breeding criteria).
  Customers seek female lines for their reliability and proven production.

“Anybody can buy semen from any boar … but it really, I think, the females are what really differentiates a herd.”
— Jennifer Slagle ([31:53])

Customer Focus

• Customer Service Ethos:
  Authentically customer-driven, modeled after John Deere’s culture. Repeat customers and long-term relationships drive the business, especially as family priorities have shifted.

“If you’re going to stay in business long term, your reputation is really, really important.”
— Jennifer Slagle ([35:00])

Bred Female Sales: The Annual Family Debate

[36:59-40:53]

• The Process:
  Mixing generations’ philosophies—Jennifer’s dad wants to keep whole “elite” litters, Jennifer weighs marketing and barn space.
• Choosing What to Sell:
  Monthly negotiations, occasionally regretted sales, but typically a disciplined approach; older proven sows are more commonly sold to give customers proven producers.

“His belief has always been that pigs produce to an average of a litter.”
— Jennifer Slagle ([37:33])

“The bred female trauma and stress over selections… will be ongoing for me.”
— Jennifer Slagle ([83:27])

Herd Profile & Adaptation To Family Life

[41:15-48:04]

• Size/Structure:
  • ~60–70 females in barn; farrows 35–40 litters in winter/spring, 15–20 in summer.
  • Always aims to farrow what they breed but size control is necessary.
• Family Priorities:
  • Scaled back fall litter production to prioritize Will’s football seasons.
  • Decision: “We’re not willing to be gone for fall sales if it means missing football” ([44:10]).
  • Adjustments accepted—seasonality, show schedules, and family needs.

“We have jobs off the farm. … Now we have to make some decisions about where priorities need to be.”
— Jennifer Slagle ([44:10])

• Industry Changes Noted:
  • Sales are much earlier and the calendar has shifted; pigs and lambs in demand for all ages and show schedules ([46:11], [48:04]).

Incorporating the Kids: Anna and Will

[49:33-55:41]

• Will:
  Passion for machinery, shop work, organization, and maintenance. “Mechanically minded,” not drawn to animal side. Football became his focus by 8th grade.
• Anna:
  Heart for animals; responsible, keen observer, and organizer for all things animal care, show prep, and barn logistics. Added lambs to her species after Will transitioned away ([49:33], [55:41]).
• Family Show Evolution:
  As Will removed himself from the pig side for sports, Anna shifted into sheep, with the family adapting barn setups to add pens and adjust facilities.

Getting Into Sheep: The Farm Diversifies

[55:41-59:59]

• Family History:
  Don (husband) was raised with 200 sows and 200 ewes; his background made the switch natural.
• Logistics:
  Required barn re-configuration; drew support from a local breeder for hands-on help and showmanship training.
• Result:
  Anna “loves” the sheep side; lambs are now a permanent feature.

College Football Recruiting — Lessons from the 'Inside'

[59:59-74:56]

• Will’s Trajectory:
  6’4”, 300 lbs, 17-year-old with 14 D1 offers—including Iowa State, Iowa, and Penn State.
• Timeline:
  Serious offers began after a standout sophomore season; junior days, official visits, and the whirlwind of college coach shifts.
• Recruiting “Roller Coaster:”
  Culture, coaching staff stability, and team ethos matter—some schools “buy” transfer portal athletes, others focus on work ethic and “fit.”
• Ole Miss Visit Notable Moment:
  Will decided he wanted a school “where the emblem means something”—didn’t connect with “mercenary” culture of some transfer programs ([64:46]).
• Recent Shocks:
  Committed to Iowa State; his entire preferred coaching staff left for Penn State weeks later, creating fresh uncertainty. New recruiting cycle in motion; options broaden once more.

“He said… ‘I’m hoping I can go to a school where the emblem of my helmet means something…’”
— Jennifer Slagle ([64:46])

• Family Approach/Resilience:
  “Fruit basket upset”—now looking at Iowa State, Iowa, Penn State, Wisconsin.
  Jennifer: “At the end of the day… it’s just college football, and we’re trying to keep that in perspective.” ([74:56])

Career & Business Advice for Young Professionals

[76:32-80:41]

• For College Students:
  • “College is about finding your fit; don’t stress if your major/first job doesn’t stick.”
  • “Majors matter for first jobs, but after that, career fit trumps degree label.”
• For Early Career People:
  • Lateral moves (not just promotions) are valuable for experience.
  • Don’t be afraid to pivot; focus on skills, not just titles.

“The majors don’t matter over the course of the career—it’s really about finding the fit.”
— Jennifer Slagle ([76:32])

• To Aspiring Show Animal Breeders:
  • Be ready for hard work, sacrifice, and setbacks.
  • Passion is crucial—balance farm, family, and (possibly) an off-farm career.
  • Take pride in animal care and management, even when it cuts into vacations or social life.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Family and Division of Labor:
  “My barn has become a lot more peaceful with one child in it.” — Jennifer Slagle ([49:33])
• On Livestock Sacrifices:
  “Sometimes, family vacations get shortened… sometimes we can’t go to the football or basketball game… because we’ve got to stay back and watch a sow.” ([80:41])
• On Customer Relationships:
  “If it’s not [successful for a customer], it’s something that we’ll stand behind.” ([34:42])

Episode Takeaways

• Nutrition and Basics:
  Successful sales begin early with a thoughtful nutrition program, smart supplementing, and timing.
• Program Opportunities:
  The B.I.G. program in Ohio offers a new, inclusive model for supporting junior livestock exhibitors, with a strong endowment strategy for long-term benefit.
• Female Lines Matter:
  In both pigs and sheep, maternal lines are the differentiator—“good females” are the backbone of a respected show herd.
• Adaptation is Key:
  Both market shifts (sales calendar, fall/spring focus) and family changes (kids’ sports, growing up, shifting interests) drive operational strategy.
• Career/Work-Life Balance:
  Parallel professional lives are possible; sacrifices in time, but benefits in fulfillment.
• Football Recruiting:
  “Backstage” insight underscores the personal weight of choices for athletes and the surprises of collegiate sports.

For Further Engagement

• To learn about the B.I.G. program and sponsorship, visit SC Online Sales (open until Feb 1st, 2026).
• For Essential Feeds' nutrition solutions, see essentialsfeeds.com or Champion Drive's Product Spotlight.
• To follow WinMor Farms or connect with Jennifer, visit their social media for behind-the-scenes “female sale” drama, family updates, and their evolving dual-species adventure.

End of Summary