Biography
John Rauser has been involved in farming all his life. He currently cares for 25 purebred duroc females, sells market hogs, weaned pigs and seed stock, and cooks whole hogs for events. He has been involved in the Montana Pork Producers Council for 31 years, including as president (2014-2023), vice president (2024) and interim state executive director. Nationally, he was a Pork Industry Visioning Task Force member (2023), served on the NPB Nominating Committee (2013-2014) and demonstrated leadership on the Pork Industry State/National Relations Task Force (2010).
Rauser has executive-level and management business and banking experience at Farm Credit Services (two years), his local state bank (19 years), McDonald’s Restaurant (7 ½ years) and Graymont Western US, Inc. mine. His volunteer experience includes 4-H (24 years), his church (41 years, including serving as finance council chairman the past eight years), his rural fire district board (23 years) and county fair board (17 years).
Nominating Committee Comments
John Rauser has one of the longest tenures of swine industry service of all the candidates, including more than 10 years of experience as president of the Montana Pork Producers Association and a deep understanding of the Hutterite colonies, as they are also involved in the state-level board. Salt-of-the-earth Rauser has unique opportunities and perspectives within producer priorities. He is a small-scale producer who can think on a national scale.
His depth of experience throughout his career has helped develop him as a leader. His manager experience at McDonald’s trained him to work with people of varying ages and personalities while still focusing on profitability. His background in foodservice and face-to-face customer interactions equipped him to understand product success and operational efficiency.
His role at banking and financial institutions familiarizes him with balance sheets and specific ROI data points needed to prove judicious investment of Checkoff dollars. While his actions speak louder than words, he shares We Care® Ethical Principles messaging and proper biosecurity practices with youth through local 4-H program presentations.