Where a Passion Began at Streber Genetics

A barrow raised by Dakota Streber and his family, shown by Dallas Martinez, was named Grand Champion at the 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Houston, Texas. Photo Courtesy of Dakota Streber.

Forty years ago, Dakota Streber’s parents brought him to a livestock show for the first time. At just a few months old, Streber’s livestock journey began.

He discovered a passion for agriculture quickly, said Dakota Streber, Streber Genetics owner and operator. From driving tractors with his grandparents around the farm, to helping with the family show pig operation, Streber was surrounded by agriculture every day.

“I grew up in the industry,” Streber said. “It is where I got my passions from.”

With the opportunity of raising show pigs alongside his family, he was able to learn and cultivate his knowledge about the industry, Streber said. Actively participating in FFA and livestock showing through high school, he found his desire to raise show pigs in the future.

Soon after graduating college, he started raising show pigs in 2009, raising Chester white, duroc and crossbred pigs, Streber said. Later, Streber made the decision to focus on his career as an agricultural education teacher, he stepped away from the show pig industry for a few years.

“The kids wanted to start raising show pigs,” Streber said. “We decided at that point to start raising a few.”

Re-establishing his show pig operation in 2019, he built it for his children, Kassidy and Brody, starting with one crossbred sow, Streber said. In the thick of farrowing season, his children often like to spend time in the barn helping their dad.

Streber has kept gilts with direct bloodlines from his original sow to be replacements each year to improve and expand his genetics, Streber said. He achieved his dream when transitioning to raising show pigs as a full-time career.

“It is a blessing to be able to do it full-time,” Streber said. “That was always a dream that I wanted to do as a kid.”

Year round, there is work to be done at Streber Genetics, Streber said. Depending on the season you may find Streber in the farrowing house, helping his children in their show barn, or driving to find the next best genetics for his operation.

With time spent studying genetics, traveling to livestock shows and learning through connections, Streber has learned to make critical decisions for his show pig operation, said Kendall Whittington, Whittington Show Pigs owner.

“His eyes sharpened and he's decided to make a living out of this deal,” Whittington said. “He’s been very successful.”

With the hard work and dedication their family has put into their craft, they have reached a total of 15 sows in their herd, Streber said. Each year Streber genetics has litters in June, July, November, December and January.

“We are showing, selling, breeding and buying pigs all at the same time,” Streber said.

Daily practices include ear notching, feeding, vaccinating, cleaning pens, farrowing sows, weaning pigs and more, he said.

Attending over 15 sales each year, the pigs raised at Streber Genetics will be shown in multiple states across the country, Streber said. Online sales and on the farm, are other methods for people to purchase pigs from their show pig operation.

A barrow raised by Dakota Streber and his family, shown by Anna Frankie, was named Grand Champion at the 2024 North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo Courtesy of Dakota Streber.

Along with selling the pigs to his customers, he offers advice and guidance to exhibitors who show his livestock, said Scott Smith, Livin’ Large Livestock owner. This shows the younger generations the importance of building relationships within the industry.

“He is a big supporter of the youth program,” Smith said. “He frequently calls to check on the pigs.”

Through raising livestock and building his sow herd, he has experienced hardship, Streber said. Adapting from sows having trouble farrowing, to sickness going throughout the barns, it has taught Streber how to adapt and overcome those issues.

“You have to be able to figure out what your next step is,” Streber said. “You have to find your vision of where you want your herd to go.”

Raising show pigs has posed unexpected challenges for Streber Genetics, but they have been able to find positivity through those situations, he said.

“We have had to switch breeding plans last minute,” Streber said. “Some of those breedings have worked out for us.”

While raising show pigs, Streber has also experienced many successes, he said. With winning many accolades in Oklahoma at the Oklahoma Youth Expo and the Oklahoma Bred Swine Association, he has also had success on a national level.

“To celebrate with the kiddos,” said Streber. “Those are lifetime memories.”

Successes accomplished include grand champion breeding gilt at the State Fair of Texas, grand champion barrow at the North American International Livestock Exposition and reserve grand champion market barrow at the Georgia National Livestock Show.

Along with grand champion barrow at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, bronze medallion barrow at the Oklahoma Youth Expo, reserve champion Dark Cross barrow at the Oklahoma Youth Expo, grand champion tribute barrow at the Oklahoma Youth Expo, third overall Division three crossbred gilt winner at the Exposition and reserve grand market hog at Showdown in Motown.

“To see the smiles at the backdrops,” Streber said. “Those are lifetime memories for those families.”

A barrow raised by Dakota Streber and his family along with the Little family, shown by Gracie Little, was named Bronze Medallion at the 2025 Oklahoma Youth Expo in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Photo Courtesy of Dakota Streber.

The vision Streber has set for upcoming years is to build upon, grow the sow herd and to improve on the genetics that they currently have, Streber said. As time goes on, they plan to continue to keep gilts they raise and add them to their sow herd.

“If you are not learning something every day within this industry,” Streber said. “You will be left behind.”

At Streber Genetics, they value their community and connections, Streber said. Communication is a crucial part of running a show pig operation whether it be with families who show the pigs, local veterinarians, fellow industry leaders and more.

“Our motto is faith, family and friends,” Streber said. “Having friends and family in your circle that you can trust to help you succeed, is important.”

As Streber continues to live his childhood dream getting to invest his time into his children while living his passion, his plans are to continue to invest his time and knowledge into his operation and the young people involved in the industry, Streber said. Showing livestock is an opportunity that he believes can be very impactful.

“Without the good Lord,” Streber said. “None of this is possible.”