On Friday, August 2, 2024, the Oklahoma Pork Council hosted the 65th Oklahoma Pork Congress at the Colcord Hotel in Downtown Oklahoma City.
The event brought together approximately 70 pork producers and supporters for educational sessions and Oklahoma Pork’s annual business meeting to elect new leadership.
One highlight included celebrating four award recipients for outstanding performance within Oklahoma’s pork industry. The 2024 Oklahoma Pork Council slate of award winners are as follows:
Clay Meeks of Meeks Family Farms was inducted into the Oklahoma Pork Council Hall of Fame for nearly 50 years of exemplary work throughout pork production. Meeks, of Wetumka, Oklahoma, recently retired after 38 years successfully running his hog farm in cooperation with Tyson’s Pork Group. He became known as “the guy to beat” in Tyson’s production rankings, holding various records throughout his tenure and receiving several noteworthy accolades throughout the broader industry. Induction into Oklahoma Pork’s Hall of Fame is reserved for leaders who exhibit a longstanding example of character and dedication to the pork industry.
Ash Dennie of Ran-Mar Farms was the first recipient of the 2024 Oklahoma Pork Council Excellence Award. Dennie serves as the co-owner and manager of Ran-Mar Farms in Holdenville, Oklahoma. While working with more than 2,400 sows throughout his operation, Dennie has a keen eye for animal health and has earned a solid reputation for quality animals in partnership with Tyson’s Pork Group. The Excellence Award is a peer-recommended accolade for pork producers who have made the daily work of raising pigs more than a job, but a true calling to take care of their animals and their teams.
Kelly Haymaker of The HANOR Company also earned a 2024 Oklahoma Pork Council Excellence Award. Haymaker serves as the Boar Stud Manager for The HANOR Company in Ames, Oklahoma. Haymaker has become known for her deep love of her boars, her strong commitment to biosecurity, and her focus on continuous improvement. The Excellence Award is a peer-recommended accolade for pork producers who have made the daily work of raising pigs more than a job, but a true calling to take care of their animals and their teams.
Ryan Sites of Show-Rite and Sites Livestock was the final recipient of the 2024 Oklahoma Pork Council Excellence Award. Sites has served the pork industry in a variety of roles, ranging from his time as an agricultural education instructor to his current position with Show-Rite as a national swine support specialist. He leads educational clinics throughout the United States and sees raising pigs as the perfect opportunity to teach young people valuable life skills. Sites is also a respected swine evaluator, often being called upon to judge pig shows at every level. The Excellence Award is a peer-recommended accolade for pork producers who have made the daily work of raising pigs more than a job, but a true calling to take care of their animals and their teams.
“Oklahoma pork producers are leaders on and off the farm,” Kylee Deniz, executive director of the Oklahoma Pork Council shared. “Our 2024 award winners showcase the integrity, passion, and commitment that exists throughout the pork supply chain. On behalf of our board and our staff, it’s an honor to celebrate these four champions within Oklahoma’s agriculture community.”
