Pipestone System History |
| |
| 1944 - |
Drs. E.A.Schweim & P.A. Pinkert founded the Pipestone Veterinary Clinic, a large animal veterinary practice |
| |
| 1960 - |
Dr. Gerald F. Kennedy joined the practice upon graduation from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine |
| |
| 1981 - |
Dr. Gordon D. Spronk joined the practice graduating from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. The intent of Dr. Spronk’s addition to the practice was to expand services to area swine producers. |
| |
| 1990 - |
The first farm to be built in what later became known as “The Pipestone System” was Hiawatha Gilts LTD. Hiawatha started as a 700-sow farm that produced Camborough gilts from Pig Improvement Company for area producers. The Pipestone Veterinary Clinic was contracted to provide management and financial services. |
| |
| 1991 - |
Dr. Jay D. Bobb joined the practice and second farm, Calumet LTD was being formed. This 700 sow farm was to produce Camborough 15 females for area farmers. |
| |
| 1993 - |
After careful consideration and anticipation that a source of fresh swine semen was needed, Drs. Kennedy, Spronk and Bobb founded PAB (Pipestone Artificial Breeders). PAB was founded to provide a high quality source of fresh swine semen at competitive prices. |
| |
| 1994 - |
Dr. Barry Kerkaert, a native of Southwestern Minnesota joins the swine veterinary team after graduation from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Kerkaert quickly is recognized as a respected veterinary and production consultant. |
| |
| 1995 - |
The farmers/owners of The Pipestone System entered into an agreement to purchase all the shares in Ellison Meats, a southwest Minnesota portion control meat business that services the food industry. |
| |
| 1996 - |
Strategic partnerships had been formed with Big Gain Inc. in central Minnesota and Kerber Milling in northern Iowa. Over 10,000 sows were in direct management or ownership, with over 50 employees.
Dr. Larry Goelz, graduate of the University of Minnesota joined the Pipestone Veterinary Clinic practice.
|
| |
| 2000 - |
Dr. Luke Minion, a graduate of the University of Minnesota, joined the practice full-time. Dr Minion is later named CEO of the Pipestone System and all the affiliated companies |
| |
| 2001 - |
In the 4th quarter of 2001, a merger was completed with SMS, a subsidiary of Purina Mills, Inc. This added nearly 20,000 sows on over 12 sites to the Pipestone System. |
| |
| 2002 - |
Dr. Cameron Schmitt, a 2002 graduate of Iowa State University, joined the practice full-time, becoming the seventh veterinary practitioner. |
| |
| 2004 - |
The Flandreau Veterinary Clinic is purchased and Dr. Tom Jueschke joins the practice. This brings the number of veterinarians on staff to 8.
The Pipestone System has grown to nearly 100,000 sows under ownership or management and over 400 employees. |
| |
| 2005 - |
Dr. Curt Vlietstra joins the team as a dairy specialist. As more dairy farms are built in the area, Dr. Vlietstra along with Dr. Bobb and Dr. Goelz focus on providing service and consultation to the growing number of large dairies that are being built in the surrounding area.
Dr. Spencer Wayne joins the veterinary practice after employment with a east coast swine production system. Dr. Wayne begins his employment while pursuing his PHD at the University of Minnesota. Upon completion of his post-graduate studies in disease epidemiology, Dr. Wayne plans to join the practice full-time.
|
| |
| 2006 - |
Dr. Nicole Weber joins the practice to meet the growing demand for small animal services. The small animal specialty of the practice quickly grows under Dr. Weber’s guidance.
Dr. Joel Nerem joins the Pipestone Veterinary Clinic as growth continues at The Pipestone System with the building of 2 new sow sites. Dr. Nerem is named Director of Swine Health Services and will direct health assurance across all farms in the system.
|
| |
| 2007 - |
Growth continues at The Pipestone System. From the initial 700 sow farms, the size of new farms has grown to 5,600 sows. Farms with the names of Teton, Foxtail, Bluestem, Grassland, Alliance and Windy Plains are all in some phase from planning, construction or stocking.
This growth brings the size of The Pipestone System to over 500 employees, 12 veterinarians, 45 sites and nearly 140,000 sows. |
| |
