Nurturing pigs and people

Being a swine caregiver is a noble calling, driven by a deep passion for animals and dedication to raising healthy pigs. It is these characteristics that exemplify Champions of Care, the individuals Zoetis applauds for their efforts to provide safe, healthy pork. Jesus Garcia is one such person.

“Caring for pigs is not an easy job,” says Garcia, pork production specialist with Zoetis. “With today’s state-of-the-art equipment, climate-controlled buildings, care practices and precise nutrition programs, there is a lot that goes into keeping these animals healthy.

“At Zoetis, we pride ourselves on being another set of eyes and a helping hand to roll up our sleeves and work hand-in-hand with our customers to raise healthy pigs and feed the world.”

Garcia, a native of Honduras, moved to the United States with the intention to practice English and learn about U.S. agriculture for a year or two before returning home to run his family’s dairy. Instead, he stayed in the United States for a career focused on pig health.

“I fell in love with the pork production industry. I stayed for the pigs but grew with the people who surrounded me,” Garcia says. As an immigrant who adapted his dairy experience to raising pigs, Garcia relates well to the growing Hispanic community in the swine industry. He understands the challenges of being young and many miles from home and family. He also knows the valuable contributions they make to pig care each day and their opportunities for career growth in the industry.

Nurturing pigs and people

The training Garcia and other Zoetis swine specialists provide not only helps caregivers excel at pig care but also prepares them for the future — a responsibility to which Garcia is personally and proudly committed.

“For swine caregivers who still have family back home, the people they work with in the barns become their family. It’s important to immerse ourselves in this community, nurture relationships and become a part of the family at each operation, and I truly enjoy that,” Garcia says.

Garcia gets to know everyone by name, their role and their background before teaching them the health protocols and their importance for the well-being and productivity of the pigs in each operation.

Passionate about pig health

Garcia’s typical day begins at 6 a.m. and ends when the job is done. “Every morning, we go into the barn to see pigs and work side by side to help people understand and provide care to keep pigs healthy. That is really what we are most passionate about,” he says.

Working alongside Zoetis’ customers and pig caregivers helps Garcia better understand the challenges they are facing — the first step to solving potential production-limiting issues.

“We go into the trenches, identify true science-based opportunities and help provide solutions to any challenges our customers are facing,” he says.

As a trusted adviser, Garcia establishes on-farm partnerships with pork producers and caregivers that result in shared success — for pork producers, caregivers and Zoetis. Their paths might look different, but all are united by purpose — keeping pigs and farming operations healthy and productive.

Explore more Champions of Care stories by reading about Eric Meyers.