Ag Month 2025: The changing landscape of ag and livestock care in Martin County

The pork capital of Minnesota. A top pork producer in the United States. Martin County and Fairmont are well-known for their livestock and crop contributions to the state and national economy. Behind these titles are over 800 farms and a dedicated workforce. A wide array of supporting industries and workers also contribute to the success of local farming enterprises. 

For over 65 years the Fairmont Veterinary Clinic and veterinarians like Brian Roggow, an owner of the clinic and Preferred Capital Management, an associated swine production management firm, have specialized in keeping livestock healthy and supporting area farms. As National Ag Month 2025 is celebrated throughout March and National Ag Day is recognized on March 18, examining the evolution of the ag industry in and around Fairmont reveals new opportunities.

Specializing and diversifying in veterinary medicine

Companion animals and livestock were both patients for Dr. Roggow when he first joined the Fairmont practice in 1990, but eventually, the business consolidated to livestock only. Further specialization occurred gradually and now the clinic focuses on swine and several beef feedlots. Responding to industry trends and demands is a mainstay for the partnership of veterinarians in charge of the clinic.

To meet the needs of local farmers, the clinic previously operated a feed nutrition company called Omega Nutrition which was later sold to Devenish Nutrition. Addressing the logistical side of farming also became a business opportunity with the formation of a swine management company known as Preferred Capital Management

Through the management firm, local swine farms receive help with a full package of services, including growing the farm, personnel management, human resources, financial accounting, and production management. The deep level of involvement in the local farming community provides Dr. Roggow with a first-hand view of the changing opportunities in agriculture in Martin County.

“Corn is king”

The strong agricultural history of Martin County is evident in its top-tier supplier status in multiple categories, including corn, soybeans, and swine. With Fairmont’s distance from river transport, farmers focus on value-added corn, Roggow explained. The first shift to value-added corn targeted the pig market and appealed to local enterprises. Later, value-adds focused on ethanol production and beef feedlots. Both of these have declined in recent years. It’s one of many evolutions in agriculture Roggow has witnessed while caring for livestock.

Changing ag landscapes in Martin County

“Martin County is like most of rural America,” Roggow explained. “We’ve seen the consolidation of farms. Farming operations in all sectors run with significantly more acreage than when I first started. The hog operations are larger and more specialized – beef feedlots, the dairy – the farming operations have gotten bigger and, to a degree, more efficient and capital intensive. One of the reasons we have seen farms get bigger is because the capital needed to stay competitive has grown. Economies of scale have come into play to make it bigger.”

The amount of capital required and at risk can lead farmers to explore other opportunities. Some of these have kept families or farms involved in agriculture in a different capacity. Many farmers previously in the hog industry may now lease and rent buildings to other pork producers – securing a steady source of income less susceptible to market fluctuations. While the level of direct involvement in farming may have changed, Roggow estimates the same number of people still participate in agriculture in different capacities.

Martin County Agriculture by the Numbers (2022):

• Number of farms: 823
• Acreage in farms: 454,025
• Average size of farm: 552 acres
• Market value of products sold: $943,050,000 
• Market value of crops sold: $461,489,000
• Market value of livestock, poultry, and products sold: $481,561,000

Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture  

Preventative care is crucial for livestock

While all types of animal care should include a prevention focus, livestock veterinarians zero in on it to prevent diseases. Biosecurity and keeping disease organisms out of the farm are primary goals. The proper type and timing of vaccinations are also key along with diagnostic tests to assess what is in the farm and the surrounding environments. 

Future roles in agriculture

For the next generation of workers, Roggow says well-paying jobs in livestock are available with work required on a rotational basis including weekends. The natural life cycles on a farm also produce opportunities beyond feed and livestock care. Manure’s use as a fertilizer on crop grounds creates the potential for investment or renting real estate and buildings.

Roggow reports Fairmont Veterinary Clinic hired two new veterinarians in the past year, and more opportunities will exist as retirement age approaches for more professionals. 

Learn more about workforce opportunities in Fairmont here or contact Fairmont Economic Development today to discuss your workforce needs.