Risk Management in Pork Production | Chris Ford & Val Weis

About the Guests

Chris Ford

VP Corporate Swine Lender, Farm Credit Services of America, Frontier Farm Credit, and Ag Country Farm Credit.

Chris works with swine operations across the Farm Credit Services of America, Frontier Farm Credit, and Ag Country Associations’ state territory and throughout the Midwest ranging in a variety of sizes. Chris is a part of the specialized Swine Team which has lending relationships with 28 of the 40 largest swine producers in the nation. Prior to becoming a Vice President of Corporate Swine Lending, Chris was a Credit Underwriter that specialized in swine operations.

Chris has served as a Teammates Mentor, Church Elder, local school board member, and is a past participant in the Nebraska Pork Producers Leadership Program.

Chris, his wife Christan, and their 5 boys live in Elkhorn, Nebraska. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in 2002, received his Master’s degree in Business Administration from Bellevue University in 2005, and has been with the Association for 16 years.

Valerie Weis

Commercial Lending Officer, Farm Credit Services of America, Frontier Farm Credit, & Ag Country Farm Credit

Val works with mid-size swine operations in our territories as part of the specialized swine team, primarily working with operations in Western Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas. Val joined the swine team in 2021 after 18 years as a financial officer for the Emmetsburg retail team at Farm Credit Services of America, where she worked with grain, cattle, and contract finish operations as well as swine operations. She has been with the Associations for 21 years.

Val, her husband Joe, and 3 kids live in Algona, Iowa, where they also operate a cash grain operation. She is a graduate of Iowa State University, and grew up on a diversified family farming operation in North Central Iowa.

What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig?

• Why understanding your financials is the first step in setting up a successful operation.
• The importance of knowing your costs and how to use financial data for smart decision-making.
• How a solid risk management plan can make or break your operation, especially in unpredictable markets.
• The value of having a strong team and discipline to back your financial and risk strategies.
• “Golden Nuggets” from both Chris and Val