Randy and Becky Schmidt raise high quality, healthy pigs on their family farm
Our Pillars
SPF® Health
We are members of the National SPF® Swine Accrediting Agency, with some of the most stringent requirements of any health program in the world. SPF® pigs are initially derived by C-section. This makes it possible to obtain and raise pigs free of certain diseases and external parasites. Stringent biosecurity is practiced, ensuring that our pigs are healthy and do not require additional antibiotic treatments.
Farm Inspections
On-farm inspections and checks conducted every 90 days to monitor high levels of health in our herd. This is documented through the National SPF® office. If you are placing breeding stock on a clean farmstead with no prior pigs, we believe it unwise to buy anything other than SPF® breeding stock. Producers that use little or no antibiotics find SPF® pigs essential to their success.
Genetics
We receive semen from the top boars in their respective breeds for performance, muscle quality data, visual appraisal, and with proven production in their respective pedigrees. We have sold more Chester White Boars to Swine Genetics International (SGI) boar stud than any other producer.
Boar Studs
As a further health precaution, our farm has not received a live animal in over 30 years. New genetics are brought in through artificial insemination (AI). We only accept semen from boar studs with high health standards, testing protocols, and proper isolation techniques.
Customer Service
Randy is a one man show. His best friend and neighbor, Arlen Doehrman assists him on the farm when he is delivering out of state or during busy periods. Randy's son, Ray Schmidt, also assists from time-to-time on the digital and marketing side of the business.
Randy (Himself)
You will not be dealing with a salesperson that has never seen the pigs. You will be doing business with the person who bred the sow, farrowed and weighed the pigs, and took care of them on a daily basis. We will do our best to make you a satisfied customer
We consistently have gilts, bred gilts for sale. We offer Chesters, Yorks, Durocs, and Berkshire hogs
What People Are Saying
“Best herd boar I've ever owned.”
— Wisconsin Chester White breeder
“Best meat quality I’ve seen in 15 years of business.”
— Longtime meat butcher
“He’s developed a really good, predictable sow herd. I think it’s just sticking to the basics and not worrying about what the trends are that allows him to be way, way above average in about every trait.”
—A breed CEO
"One of the real reasons we were not hesitant about spending $10,000 was Randy’s reputation as being an honest and reputable source of purebred genetics. We have always had such success with the structure, design, and production levels.”
-Major boar stud owner
[When asked where to find replacement Chester White gilts] “Randy Schmidt, Williamsburg, IA. Big, heavy muscled Chesters that grow. I think the Nieman growers keep him pretty well sold out through. Not many true Chester breeders left these days, he’s still an old school pig raiser, raising the kind that yield and grow versus a fad.”
— Fenceman, AgTalk
"Best boar I've had in 25 years.”
— S. Dakota Chester White breeder
“I bought a boar from Randy Schmidt at the NBS and couldn't be happier...large litters, full of muscle, long...good doing pigs...that boar is a stud...covered a lot of gilts and sows...very aggressive. As I talk to other breeders...I know there is a lot of negative things said about hogs coming from these shows...but I got a good one...Just bragging...but it makes me smile when I am headed to the farrowing barn...to check the sows...thanks again Randy.”
— Cowboy Todd, CPS Bulletin Board
Randy Schmidt at age 13 with his 4-H pigs. 1969.
Randy has been raising pigs and learning about genetics for as long as he can remember. He grew up on his family farm near Williamsburg, Iowa and was active in FFA and 4-H. Randy began his own farm in 1978 with just a few dozen pigs. Now his reputation of high-quality, healthy pigs, has commanded global appeal.
With sales in the United States, Japan, and South Korea and visitors from China, Japan, Canada, South Korea, and the Philippines, Randy's pigs' genetics extend across the U.S. and world. He raises several breeds but has a particular fondness for Chester Whites.
Randy takes pride in being a one-man-show and is supportive of the local community, especially Iowa County 4-H and FFA. Over 75% of our customers are repeat customers and the majority of our sales are by word-of-mouth and peer recommendations. Randy farms in the Williamsburg area with his wife Becky. He has three children and big supporter of the Iowa State Cyclones.
Key Terminology
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Estimated Predicted Difference
A means of evaluating the genetic merits using heredity principles and the performance data of the animal
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Specific Pathogen Free
Members of National SPF® Swine Accrediting Agency practice strict cleanliness controls to have the healthiest pigs possible
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National Barrow Show®
An annual swine show held in Austin, MN and has been acclaimed as the ‘World Series of Swine Shows’ The name has since changed to be ‘The National’
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Data available for contest
Can be used when comparing two or more pigs
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Score derived from meat quality traits
Can be used when comparing two more pigs
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Average Daily Gain
Fast growing pigs are ideal in a production environment
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Loin Eye
More muscle = bigger pork chop
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Soundness Score
Average score derived from the appraisal of a panel experts evaluating pigs based on foot and leg structure
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Back Fat
The amount of fat between loin muscle and back. Measured at the tenth rib. The ideal varies by preference
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Sow Productivity Index
A method to evaluate sows based on their productivity based on: A) Number born B) 21-day litter weight
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NBS Super Sire
Recognizing the boars that sired the top pigs from each breed and overall
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First Cross (F1)
The offspring of two different purebreds
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EPD - Estimated Predicted Difference
A means of evaluating the genetic merits using heredity principles and the performance data of the animal