October 17, 2007
For More Information, contact
Don Nikodim, (573) 445-8375
Missouri Agriculture Working Together
Farm Groups Host Lunch and Learn Event in Lamar
Columbia, Mo.,—On October 17, Missouri’s commodity groups came together to host a lunch and learn event to educate community leaders and businesses on the importance of animal agriculture and the pork industry to the local community. Over 50 people attended the event, held at Synergy LLC in Lamar.
Leaders of the local community, elected officials from Barton County and surrounding areas, as well as friends of Synergy LLC and Onstott Family Farms were in attendance at the event.
Ed and Brenda Onstott, of Onstott Family Farms and a Synergy LLC contract grower, are excited about the opportunity to bring the community to the farm. “Here at Onstott Family Farms, we feel there is a need for the public and the media to see what we are doing on farms today. Our operation consists of row crops, cow calf and contract pig nurseries. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to share our farming experiences with the community. As a fourth generation family farm, we try to keep up with the changes in agriculture. We are excited about the future in agriculture in Barton County,” said Ed and Brenda.
Missouri ranks 7th in the nation in pork production, and has a total economic impact to the state of over $1 billion dollars. Missouri hogs consume 30% of the corn and 13% of the soybeans produced in the state. This is an important relationship for both animal agriculture and the crop industry.
“Missouri soybean farmers need animal agriculture to succeed,” said Dale R. Ludwig, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council executive director/CEO. “Livestock producers are Missouri soybean farmers’ No. 1 customer. These programs should help more Missourians grow in their appreciation of our livestock-producing neighbors.”
The luncheon also highlighted the important connection between the growing biofuels industry and the state’s livestock industry.
“Every 56-pound bushel of corn used in the ethanol process yields 18 pounds of distillers grains, a good source of energy and protein for livestock and poultry,” said Ben Marshall, Marketing Development Coordinator with the Missouri Corn Programs. “Missouri’s farmer-owned ethanol plants need a strong livestock industry to utilize ethanol’s valuable co-product. Hogs and corn are intrinsically linked and programs like this help convey that message.”
This lunch and learn event is one of over twenty planned across the state this summer. The Lunch and Learn series is supported by: the Missouri Agribusiness Association, Missouri Beef Industry Council, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, Missouri Dairy Association, Midwest Dairy Association, Missouri Department of Agriculture, The Missouri Egg Council, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Pork Association, The Poultry Federation, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, University of Missouri Extension Commercial Agriculture Program and MFA Incorporated.
The Missouri Pork Association represents the state’s pork producers in the areas of promotion, research, education and legislation. For more information about this or any other programs of the Missouri Pork Association, go to www.mopork.com, or call the Missouri Pork Association office at (573) 445-8375.
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