Father to son: Passion for pigs

Swine's Promising Next Generation: Missouri veterinarian relishes working with dad, networking with other practitioners.

Ann Hess, Content Director

August 31, 2020

3 Min Read
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After graduating from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017, Matt Patterson joined his father, Steve, in the family business, Passion for Pigs Veterinary Service.Courtesy of Matt Patterson

Growing up in northeast Missouri, Matt Patterson often tagged along when his father, Steve, made swine medicine calls: first helping by holding the blood tube box and later, the snare.

When the elder Patterson needed a hand at their boar stud facility, he was eager to jump right in; and whenever his father fielded calls from clients on herd health issues, Patterson was right there listening, as his dad advised new protocols to implement on-site.

"It's not an experience everybody gets to go through, so I consider myself pretty fortunate to be able to do that with him and now work with him," Patterson says.

However, Patterson admits it wasn't a guarantee he would end up back in the family business. In fact, when he headed off to Truman State University in 2009 to play basketball, his father encouraged him to look at other career options. The young Patterson shadowed a dentist and a physical therapist, but that type of medicine didn't pique his interest as much as large-animal. Instead, he decided to pursue a bachelor's degree in agriculture science before going on to the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine.

Patterson made an effort to get exposure to not only mixed animal practices in Texas and Oklahoma, but also other pork production systems throughout the Midwest. He completed an internship with Carthage Veterinary Service in Illinois and spent time with veterinarians Randy Bush and John Baker in Indiana, as well as Jess Waddell in Nebraska. 

"I knew when I got out [of school] I wouldn't be going to their practices and working with them, but the veterinary community — especially those with swine focus — are open to share their challenges, successes and even failures," Patterson says.

Sounding boards near, far
After graduating in 2017, Patterson joined his father in the family business, Passion for Pigs Veterinary Service. The Shelbina, Mo.-based business is focused on swine veterinary, reproductive and show-pig services. 

From large, vertically integrated systems and independent producers to multiplier units and show pigs, Patterson pitches in each week wherever he is needed. While it can be challenging at times to work with his dad, Patterson also recognizes how lucky he is to have the opportunity.

"He's had strong relationships with a lot of these producers for years, so I'm always using him as my sounding board to exchange ideas back and forth, to get his input," Patterson says.

Patterson is also in communication with some of those veterinarians he worked with previously, as well as new faces. He's an active member of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine's Executive Veterinary Program and has been attending Boehringer Ingelheim's Swine Academy. 

During the last six months, Patterson has been working on an influenza A virus elimination program at a 2,400-head sow farm and has often reached out to his previous mentors for advice.

"We knew Carthage has had success with their IAV elimination protocol, so I reached out to Dr. Lower, Dr. Farkas and Dr. Johnson [all at Carthage] at times during the process. It was fun to implement and carry out with the farm team, having their buy-in and ending with successful elimination," Patterson says.

He says he doesn't see his father retiring anytime soon, and that is just fine by him.

"I definitely love and enjoy working with my dad, and I hope I can carry it on — the relationships that he's built over these last 30 years of practice has definitely presented a unique opportunity for us to continue building and growing into the future. I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else," Patterson says.

Swine’s Promising Next Generation is independently produced by National Hog Farmer and brought to you through the support of Boehringer Ingleheim.

About the Author

Ann Hess

Content Director, National Hog Farmer

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