(CLIVE, Iowa) — A veterinarian for a Minnesota-based pork production company has been named a 2016 Master Pork Partner by the Iowa Pork Producers Association and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

IPPA recognized Dr. Bryan Myers of Independence in Buchanan County at the Iowa Pork Congress Banquet in Des Moines last night. He received the emblematic brass belt buckle during the presentation.

Myers has been a veterinarian for more than 25 years and has worked for Pipestone Veterinarian Services since 2009. He started in mixed practice, but over the years was drawn to the pork industry and has made swine his focus the last 10 years.

Bryan works with Pipestone-managed sow farms, along with numerous consulting farms, not only on health management but production, biosecurity, welfare, pig flow, and financials. He also works closely with the grow-finish team. Myers was recently promoted to head veterinarian of Pipestone’s east region. He has given numerous presentations, nationally and internationally, to employees within the company, producers and fellow veterinarians.

Biosecurity on Pipestone-managed farms is an aspect of pig health that Bryan is currently focusing on. He leads a biosecurity veterinarian team that meets frequently to discuss strategies, research and technologies that can be effectively implemented in their system to improve herd health. He has used his experiences in the swine industry to not only help clients but fellow employees in thinking through decisions.

Community involvement is important to Bryan as he helps the Buchanan County Pork Producers with promotions and events. He is an elder at church and has been a volunteer paramedic for the Farley EMS for more than 10 years.

Bryan and his wife, Lisa, have two kids, one of which also works for Pipestone.

The Master Pork Partner Award recognizes pork production company employees who have demonstrated positive impacts in their production systems and a commitment to the We Care ethical principles, but don’t have active daily roles at a specific production site. This is the third year that the award has been presented.

For the full list of awards, please visit http://www.iowaporkcongress.org/media.php