Missouri

Don't Miss the Missouri Pork Expo

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:52:20 GMT

The Missouri Pork Association welcomes producers, suppliers and distributors to the 2025 Missouri Pork Expo on Feb. 18-19 at the Margaritaville Lake Resort in Osage Beach, Mo. The two-day event provides educational opportunities to youth and adults and distributes information from current research.

The Educational Series and One-Day Swine Trade Show are feature attractions for the 2025 Expo. Participants may also attend events including the FFA Pork Speaking Contest Finals, Pork Industry Banquet and Pork Leadership Breakfast.

A few highlights to note:
>>The largest swine-specific Trade Show in Missouri will include over 90 booths featuring the latest products in the industry on February 18 only.

>>Show registration opens at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday and includes a silent auction and Trade Show Hospitality Area.

>>The 2025 Expo Educational Series kicks off February 18 at 8:45 a.m. with the University of Missouri Commercial Agriculture’s Hot Topics. Featured speakers from the University of Missouri include Teng Tee Lim, Mag Lopez, and Tim Evans, and will be moderated by Tim Safranski.

>>The 2025 Economic Outlook and It’s Impact on the Pork Industry will begin at 9:45 a.m., featuring Lee Schulz with Ever.Ag.

>>At 2:15 p.m., Emerging Issues in the Swine Health Space will provide attendees with unique insights.

>>The banquet reception, sponsored by the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council and The Parks Companies, will begin at 5:30 p.m. and include a wine tasting. Tickets are available here . An after-hours hospitality room will close out the night.

>>Stick around for the Pork Leadership Breakfast on Feb. 19, featuring Jim Wiesemeyer with ProFarmer. There is an additional $65 fee to attend the breakfast prior to the Expo, $75 on site.

>>Registration for the Expo trade show and educational sessions is free. There is a non-exhibiting supplier fee of $50.

More information regarding the 2025 Missouri Pork Expo is available at https://www.mopork.com/events/2025-missouri-pork-expo/ .

Your Next Read: Jump In With Both Feet: Q&A with Ohio Pork Council’s President

Winners Announced in Third FFA Swine Facility Management Contest

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 20:03:18 GMT

On December 6, the Missouri Pork Association, National Pork Board and the University of Missouri held the third annual FFA Swine Facility Management Contest in Columbia, Mo. The California FFA Chapter received first place in this hands-on event that focused on real-world jobs in the pork industry. California FFA team members included Derek Bolinger, Ayden Howard, Ellye Messerli and Paige Morris.

Second place in the contest went to the Van-Far FFA, which included team members Kayla Heaton, Makayla McCurdy, Katelyn McCurdy and Carmen Wilburn. The Fayette FFA Chapter received third place, with team members Audree Hagerman, Gracie Innes, Melissa Innes and Emmit Schachtele.

The contest also recognized the top five individuals in the contest. First place went to Ayden Howard with the California FFA. Jackson Skouby with the Ashland FFA received second, and Sam York with the Morrisville (Marion C. Early) FFA received third. In fourth place was Sydnie Sigert with the Willow Springs FFA. Fifth place went to Wyatt Troesser with the Mexico FFA.

The FFA Swine Facility Management Contest tested the knowledge of youth on issues pertaining to swine production—feed, water, air, facility management and recordkeeping. The event is based on the principles of We Care, PQA Plus and TQA to ensure producers are raising pigs in a safe environment and train youth in all skills that translate to careers in the swine industry.

Teams visited the University of Missouri’s Swine Research Farm to evaluate an operational swine facility. Students completed a written exam, then moved through six stages in and around the facility to evaluate procedures. Plans are already underway for next year’s contest.

Read More:

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Livestock Judging: Think About This Before You Walk Into the Reasons Room

CAFO Rules Made While Violating Open Meetings Laws, Lawsuit Filed

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 02:39:58 GMT

When debating possible farming rules specifically regarding concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), central Missouri’s Cooper County health board faces a lawsuit for knowingly violating the open meetings, “Sunshine Law.”

Closed meetings, beginning in 2018, failed to be properly detailed to county residents about the subject matter discussed in the meeting and why they were deemed “closed session” material.

Spurred by a Minnesota-based Pipestone farm proposal that would bring a new facility to southern Cooper County, the health board held a series of meetings to draft rules limiting how much manure farmers could use on their property that came from the CAFO, a local news source explains.

“The law gives elected officials in general and agency bureaucrats a lot of latitude in a lot of different contexts to make rules that can significantly affect your life,” says Brent Haden, an attorney for the local farmers told the news source. “At the very least, if they’re going to do that, then they should expose to the light of day what they’re doing, the reasons they’re doing it, the why and the how of what they’re doing.”

Last week, a jury found the board had violated the open meetings law five separate times and could face as much as a $1,000 per violation. Additionally, the lawsuit challenges the rules the county placed on the CAFO operation.

Cooper County also sued the state of Missouri in a separate lawsuit over laws outlawing counties from enacting stringent health rules on agriculture, the news article reports. The lawsuit is set to appear in front of the Supreme Court of Missouri on Sept. 20.

Pork Industry Update: Merck Animal Health, Missouri Pork, NOVUS, Lallemand Animal Nutrition

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 20:18:34 GMT

From new hires to new opportunities, here’s a look at some recent news from Merck Animal Health and ByoPlanet, the Missouri Pork Association, NOVUS International and Lallemand Animal Nutrition.

Merck Animal Health Partners with ByoPlanet In $1 Million Donation to Protect Sheltered Homeless Animals Affected by Hurricane Idalia

Merck Animal Health has partnered with Athens-based disinfectant and electrostatic technology manufacturer, ByoPlanet, to donate up to $1 million in disinfection and antimicrobial chemicals, plus advanced electrostatic technology to areas affected by Hurricane Idalia. The goal: safeguarding newly sheltered homeless animals.

This donation underscores Merck Animal Health’s commitment to animal welfare and community support during natural disasters. Justin Welsh, DVM, executive director of livestock technical services at Merck Animal Health, stressed the urgent need for advanced technology to protect vulnerable animals.

The donation includes ByoPlanet’s electrostatic technology, ensuring comprehensive disinfection and antimicrobial coverage on surfaces and in the air, vital for disease prevention and a safe environment.

Rick O’Shea, CEO of ByoPlanet, acknowledged in the release, “We are just beginning to understand the impact of Hurricane Idalia on the local animal population. We feel a responsibility to support these communities in times of crisis. Through our combined donation of disinfection chemicals and electrostatic technology, we hope to alleviate some of the challenges faced by these animals and help them recover.”

Successful 2023 Missouri State Fair Growth & Quality Barrow Classic

The 2023 Missouri State Fair hosted a thriving Growth & Quality Barrow Classic, featuring over 30 hogs from across the state. Sponsored by the Missouri Pork Association, University of Missouri Extension and the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the event showcased exceptional talent.

Sawyer Bolinger of Boone County secured the Overall Grand Champion title with a 307 lbs. Duroc barrow, boasting 0.642 FFLG lb. per day. Morgan Baker from Cooper County claimed second place with a 316 lbs. Poland China barrow, achieving 0.59 FFLG lb. per day. The Grand Champion received $1,006, while the Reserve Champion earned $587, with additional prizes for the top ten carcass placements.

The Growth & Quality Barrow Classic promotes Missouri’s pork industry, offering crucial carcass evaluation data to producers and emphasizing desired qualities, including lean gain per day.

Participants signed up in March, providing birthweight data. At the fair, barrows underwent rigorous evaluation, including visual appraisal, fat-free lean gain, and pork quality assessments. Technicians measured 10th rib fat and loin muscle during weigh-in. Following the live show, barrows were processed at the University of Missouri Meat Laboratory, Columbia, evaluating factors like color, pH, marbling, and tenderness.

Missouri Pork Opens 2024 Internship Program for Applications

The Missouri Pork Association (MPA) is inviting college students to apply for their 2024 Internship Program, offering valuable real-world experience in Columbia, Mo. This opportunity is open to candidates who have completed at least two years of college coursework and provides hands-on training in personal, organizational, and public relations skills.

Full-time and Part-time Opportunities:

Up to two full-time internships are available from mid-May to mid-August.
Part-time internships are offered from January to mid-May and mid-August to December.

Compensation:
The MPA Internship Program offers competitive compensation, aligning with similar programs.

Application Deadline:
Interested candidates must submit their applications and three letters of recommendation by November 2, 2023.

Internship Highlights:
Spring Internship (January to mid-May): Responsibilities include managing live and silent auctions at the Missouri Pork Expo, assisting with In the Show Ring activities, and initiating plans for the Missouri Pork Classic Golf Tournament, among other duties.

Summer Internship (mid-May to mid-August): Duties involve attending MPA Youth Show Pig Circuit Jackpot shows, overseeing fundraising auctions, managing the Missouri Youth Pork Institute, Swine Health Symposium, Missouri Pork Classic Golf Tournament, participating in Missouri State Fair events, and handling various other responsibilities as they arise.

Fall Internship (mid-August to December): Tasks include assisting in membership drives, organizing educational events, contributing articles for the annual magazine, planning the Swine Institute, and providing support for the FFA Pork Speaking Contest, among other responsibilities.

Learn More and Apply:
To find out more about the MPA Internship Program or to submit an application, visit MPA Internship Program website.

NOVUS Announces Managing Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa and Global Strategic Accounts Business Transition

NOVUS International announces a leadership shift as Dr. Uwe Ranft, the Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) managing director and global strategic accounts head, prepares to retire. Dr. Volker Seidl, a seasoned professional with two decades of experience, will step in.

Dr. Ranft’s 20-year journey at NOVUS, including 14 years leading EMEA’s commercial business, has strengthened key account relationships and positioned NOVUS as an intelligent nutrition leader in the regions.

Dr. Seidl, formerly BASF Animal Nutrition’s head of sales excellence and global key account management, joined NOVUS as the global strategic accounts director in 2021. In the new position, he will oversee EMEA’s commercial strategy, manage sales and technical teams, and align corporate functions to drive growth and customer value.

Ed Galo, senior vice president and chief commercial officer, notes his confidence in Dr. Seidl’s readiness in the release. Dr. Seidl officially assumes his role on Jan. 1, 2024, while Dr. Ranft transitions to a senior advisory role, supporting the transition until retiring on Mar. 31, 2024.

Lallemand Animal Nutrition Expands North American Team with Key Hires

Lallemand Animal Nutrition, North America, is pleased to announce the addition of four new team members to enhance its commitment to customer support and on-farm solutions:

Katelyn Dei, Associate Brand Manager
Mandy Marks, Territory Business Manager (Northwest)
Brandon Mazanec, Territory Business Manager (Kansas & Colorado)
Josh Myers, Field Support Specialist (Western U.S.)

Jeff Ast, commercial director of Lallemand Animal Nutrition, North and South America, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion, stating, “We are excited to welcome these talented individuals to strengthen our support for Lallemand customers and producers.”

Katelyn Dei will bolster the North American marketing team in promoting Lallemand Animal Nutrition products, including LEVUCELL® SC in the United States and Mexico, and BIOPOWER® SC in Canada. With over a decade of livestock, equine, and poultry experience, Dei brings a wealth of knowledge to her role.

Mandy Marks assumes the role of Territory Business Manager, focusing on serving customers and producers in Washington, Oregon, and northern California. Marks boasts extensive experience in nutrition and sales, including working with the only registered feed mill in Alaska.

Brandon Mazanec joins as Territory Business Manager, with a focus on sales and growth of MAGNIVA® Forage Inoculants and LEVUCELL SC in Kansas and Colorado. He holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science and is passionate about hunting, travel and family.

Josh Myers will support Territory Business Managers and customers as a Field Support Specialist in the western United States, primarily in Texas. His responsibilities include conducting animal and forage audits to enhance productivity and profitability. With a background in commercial livestock and a degree in animal science, Myers brings valuable expertise to his role.

Lallemand Animal Nutrition continues to expand its team to provide effective solutions and support programs to its valued customers, notes the release.

Shape Your Future: Applications Open for Missouri Pork's 2024 Youth Pork Ambassador Program and Scholarship

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 18:41:36 GMT

Calling all aspiring students! Applications are now open for the 2024 Youth Pork Ambassador Program, an initiative proudly presented by the Missouri Pork Association.

This unique program not only offers a fantastic opportunity to connect with prominent figures in Missouri’s thriving pork industry but also comes with a valuable $1,000 scholarship that can be utilized at technical schools, community colleges or four-year institutions. Through the program, the chosen ambassador will gain unparalleled insights into the dynamic world of pork production.

At the heart of the Missouri Youth Pork Ambassador Program lies a crucial mission — to elevate awareness of both the Missouri Pork Association and the wider pork industry. This mission will be fulfilled through active participation in a series of key events.

Throughout the year, participants will engage in a minimum of six gatherings, including prestigious occasions such as the University of Missouri Pork Institute, Taste of Elegance, Missouri Pork Classic Golf Tournament, the Governor’s Conference on Agriculture, the Missouri State Fair and the Missouri Pork Expo.

The program promises a transformative experience, enabling young talents to cultivate invaluable relationships with pork producers and allied industry stakeholders. Ambassadors will immerse themselves in pork production, making connections within the field. These experiences will significantly enhance essential skills in networking, communication and leadership.

To be eligible, aspiring candidates should be in their senior year of high school up to their sophomore year of college as of January 1st in the year they plan to participate in the program. Submissions, along with three letters of recommendation, must be completed by December 15, 2023.

For comprehensive details and the application form, please visit the Missouri Pork website . Should you have any queries, feel free to reach out to Diane Slater, Director of Communications, at (573) 445-8375 or diane@mopork.com.

US Treasury Dept. Moves to Limit Foreign Land Purchases Near Military Bases

Mon, 08 May 2023 20:20:32 GMT

By now, you’ve likely heard of the Chinese balloons that made their way across the U.S. in late January and early February and were eventually shot down. The spy balloons, coupled with a Chinese-owned company purchasing land 12 miles from a U.S. Air Force base in North Dakota, have sounded alarms on both state and federal levels.

To limit further foreign activity on U.S. lands, particularly the sale of land, the Treasury Department’s Office of Investment Security proposed a rule on Friday that would require foreign entities to garner U.S. government approval before they are able to purchase land within 100 miles of eight military bases.

Related story: Out-of-Country Farmland Investors: Here’s What The Numbers Show

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) welcomed news of the proposed rule, which could have blocked the North Dakota land sale to the Fufeng Group.

“This is a good first step to bolster reviews and mitigate threats similar to what we saw with Fufeng,” Cramer said in a statement on Thursday.

The Office of Investment Security is responsible for screening foreign business dealings in the U.S. and has the authority to block or force term changes in sales in order to protect national security.

Backstory on Fufeng Group’s North Dakota Purchase

Fufeng Group says it plans to use the land to build a $700 million corn milling plant, which would create at least 200 jobs, as well as residual opportunities for logistics, trucking and other services.

Many North Dakotans made their sentiments on the sale known, which led to a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. However, the committee’s review found no issue with the sale.

Related story: China’s Latest Land Purchase Could Pose Major U.S. Security Risk

“More needs to be done to ensure the U.S. food supply chain is secure and independent,” says Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.). “If we do not prevent these land grabs, we are failing to protect our farmers, our families and our country.”

In September, Newhouse, along with 50 other members of Congress, asked USDA and other agencies to take effective action in addressing the potential national security risks that appear to arise from this transaction.

Instead of waiting on the government, some states are taking legislative action on their own.

Missouri Puts Up a Foreign Land Ownership Wall

The Missouri Senate made moves on the issue in April when it backed a plan to amend the state’s foreign land ownership threshold from 1% to 0.5%. The bill also includes a provision that would limit foreign countries — including China, Russia, Iran and North Korea — from acquiring farmland in Missouri by Sept. 1.

“We’re not going to allow for foreign ownership in the state of Missouri,” said Sen. Rick Brattin (R-31). “We have to draw a line in the sand today. It protects our sovereignty as a nation.”

Related story: Missouri Moves to Tighten Reins On Foreign Land Ownership

According to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, foreign land ownership in Missouri accounts for 0.36%, just shy of the 0.5% proposed limit. In total, the department says China owns roughly 42,596 acres in Missouri.

Missouri Moves to Tighten Reins On Foreign Land Ownership

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 21:31:34 GMT

Months after a Chinese company, Fufeng Group, was granted approval for a North Dakota land purchase in close proximity to a U.S. military base, foreign land ownership concerns are being raised on a local and national level.

The purchase set off alarms for other U.S. states to create legislative roadblocks for foreign land ownership within their borders. Missouri is the latest state to initiate the policy change.

Related story: China’s Latest Land Purchase Could Pose Major U.S. Security Risk

The Missouri Senate on Wednesday backed a plan to amend the state’s foreign land ownership threshold from 1% to 0.5%. The bill also includes a provision that would limit foreign countries—including China, Russia, Iran and North Korea—from acquiring farmland in Missouri by Sept. 1.

“We’re not going to allow for foreign ownership in the state of Missouri,” said Sen. Rick Brattin (R-31). “We have to draw a line in the sand today. It protects our sovereignty as a nation.”

While the vote passed 31-3, the bill’s opposers felt the legislation would breach property owner’s rights.

“I’m just a little lost here today as to how we have transformed this conversation of foreign entities owning our properties into the removal of individual rights,” said Lincoln Hough, (R-30). “I don’t want to disenfranchise property owners.”

Related story: Out-of-Country Farmland Investors: Here’s What The Numbers Show

Brattain offered a rebuttal, saying Hough is only looking to “muddy the waters.”

The bill comes following a 2013 measure that allowed Smithfield Foods—a Chinese-owned company—to own property in Missouri.

According to the Missouri Department of Ag, foreign land ownership in Missouri measures out to 0.36%, just shy of the 0.5% proposed limit. Of all of Missouri land, the department finds China owns roughly 42,596.

The 2023 Missouri Pork Expo Set to Include Expert Speakers and Over 90 Exhibits

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 20:00:09 GMT

Mark your calendars for the Missouri Pork Expo, scheduled for Feb. 21 and 22 at the Margaritaville Lake Resort at Lake of the Ozarks near Osage Beach, Mo.

The two-day event is jam packed with state and nationally known speakers and experts, including Missouri’s Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe, multiple University of Missouri faculty, as well as Jim Wiesemeyer, Pro Farmer analyst, as the keynote speaker.

Along with the excellent speaker lineup covering multiple key issues and topics in the pork industry, the one-day trade show will include over 90 exhibits, featuring companies, state departments and other industry partners.

Other events and expo favorites you won’t want to miss:
• Pork Industry Banquet, Feb. 21
• Pork Leadership Breakfast, Feb. 22
• Outstanding Legislator Award presentation
• Chairman’s Award presentation
• Annual Auction, featuring Colonel Tony Clayton
• Barbecue Lunch by Lynch Livestock, LLC
• Missouri Wine & Spirits Tasting

Youth will also have the opportunity to complete Show Me Quality Assurance (SMQA) certification during the 2023 In the Show Ring educational workshop.

The full expo agenda and the pre-registration form can be found here . Deadline to pre-register is Feb. 16.

Second FFA Swine Facility Management Contest Winners Announced

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 20:30:34 GMT

On December 7, the Missouri Pork Association, National Pork Board and the University of Missouri held the second FFA Swine Facility Management Contest in Columbia, Missouri. The Centralia FFA Chapter received first place in this hands-on event that focused on real-world jobs in the pork industry. Centralia FFA team members included Shelby Lewis, Lauren Lafferty, Blair Schnarre and Tess Stephens.

Second place in the contest went to North Shelby FFA, which included team Ceairra Kirby, Riley Stoneburner, Clay Cook and Keaton Roan. The Steelville FFA Chapter received third place, with team members Dalton Hutson, Avery Wallis, Halana Hurd and Abigail Whitaker.

The contest also recognized the top five individuals in the contest. First place went to Charlie Lewis with the Ashland FFA. Keaton Roan with the North Shelby FFA received second, and Lauren Lafferty with the Centralia FFA received third. In fourth place was Isaac Francka with the Marion C. Early FFA. Fifth place went to Dillon Wood with the California FFA.

The FFA Swine Facility Management Contest tested the knowledge of youth in issues pertaining to swine production—feed, water, air, facility management and recordkeeping. The event is based on the principles of We Care, PQA Plus and TQA to ensure producers are raising pigs in a safe environment and train youth in all skills that translate to careers in the swine industry.

Teams visited the University of Missouri’s Swine Research Farm to evaluate an operational swine facility. Students completed a written exam, then moved through six stages in and around the facility to evaluate procedures. Plans are already underway for next year’s contest.

National Academy of Inventors Names MU’s Randall Prather to 2022 Fellows Program

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 17:12:33 GMT

Today, the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) named Randall Prather to its 2022 Fellows Program. Prather, a Curators’ Distinguished Professor in the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, joins the ranks of an elite group of academic inventors recognized for their research and intellectual property contributions.

“I was pleasantly surprised to be named a NAI Fellow,” Prather said. “It is a nice recognition to have, especially with MU being a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), and I think it also represents not just me but all my collaborators and team members that have contributed to our research efforts over the years.”

The NAI Fellows Program highlights academic inventors who have demonstrated a spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society.

Prather is the director of the National Swine Resource and Research Center (NSRRC) at MU, which recently earned an $8 million expansion grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The center on MU’s campus has become the go-to source for genetically modified pigs used by researchers across the United States and other countries to study various diseases that impact humans, including retinitis pigmentosa, spinal muscular atrophy and cystic fibrosis, the most common genetic mutation affecting Caucasian adolescents in North America.

“Dr. Prather is very deserving of this special honor,” said Shibu Jose, associate dean for the CAFNR Office of Research. “His innovative research with genetically modified pigs has enabled investigators around the world to study potential therapies and treatments for diseases that impact humans.”

The 169 inventors named to the 2022 class of NAI fellows collectively hold more than 5,000 issued U.S. patents. Overall, NAI Fellows hold more than 58,000 issued U.S. patents, which have generated more than 13,000 licensed technologies and companies, and created more than 1 million jobs. More than $3 trillion in revenue has been generated from NAI Fellow discoveries to date. Prather alone has earned 21 issued patents in the U.S. and 56 issued foreign patents over the course of his 33-year career at MU.

“Some of our patents have furthered efforts related to xenotransplantation, the process of transplanting animal organs or tissues into human recipients,” Prather said. “This is important because there are currently more than 100,000 people on the organ transplant waiting list, mostly waiting for kidney transplants and some for heart transplants. There are others who would benefit from a transplant but currently are not eligible, so pigs can be a great resource going forward.”

For example, people with hepatitis are currently not eligible for human transplants due to concerns of infections to the liver.

“We have learned that pig livers do not get infected with hepatitis, so perhaps a pig liver might be a successful transplant option, so working on technologies has the potential to expand options and opportunities for those in need,” Prather said.

In January 2022, surgeons in Maryland successfully transplanted a pig heart into a human patient for the first time ever. Prather’s foundational research helped contribute to the historic accomplishment.

“Our goal is to provide resources and knowledge so that others can be successful in helping people,” Prather said. “Our work is a part of medical solutions for people. We are just one step in the journey, and it is satisfying to be a part of it.”

In addition to biomedical applications, Prather’s patents are also helpful in the agriculture industry. Porcine Reproductive Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus impacts pigs’ ability to gain weight and reproduce, costing pork producers in the U.S. and Europe $6 million in lost revenue each day on average.

“Our research efforts here at MU using genetically modified pigs have helped us come up with a solution, and with FDA approval, the technology will positively impact the lives of pork producers, which is a key industry in Missouri and the Midwest,” Prather said.

Prather will officially become inducted into the NAI in the summer of 2023 in Washington, D.C.

“This year’s class of NAI Fellows represents a truly outstanding caliber of innovators. Each of these individuals have made significant impact through their work and are highly-regarded in their respective fields,” said Paul R. Sanberg, President of the NAI. “The breadth and scope of their inventions is truly staggering. I am excited to see their creativity continue to define a new era of science and technology in the global innovation ecosystem.”

Pork Industry News: Missouri Pork, Bretanha – AMVC, Operation BBQ Relief

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 20:03:27 GMT

Here’s a rundown of recent pork industry and association happenings!

Missouri State Fair Growth and Quality Barrow Classic Winners

With over 30 hogs from across the state entered in this year’s competition, the purpose of the event, sponsored by the Missouri Pork Association, University of Missouri Extension and the Missouri Department of Agriculture, is to promote and recognize the pork industry within the state. Additionally, the project supplies quality carcass evaluation information to producers, recognizes the carcass qualities the industry desires and promotes the economic performance trait of lean gain per day.

From Livingston County, the overall winner went to Aubrey Schreiner with a crossbred barrow weighing 301 lbs. and a 0.62 fat-free lean gain (FFLG) lb. per day. The runner-up, from Moniteau County, was Henley Bolinger with a crossbred barrow weighing 250 lbs. and a 0.57 FFLG lb. per day.

Barrows are evaluated on three main categories: 1) visual appraisal, 2) fat-free lean gain and 3)pork quality. Each carcass is measured for 10th rib fat and loin muscle at the time of weigh in at the Missouri State Fair. Immediately following the live show, barrows are processed and evaluated for carcass quality, including color, pH, marbling and tenderness.

Bretanha – AMVC Strategic Partnership Announced

The ninth largest pork producer in the U.S., AMVC, and a leading swine reproductive company in Brazil, Bretanha, announce a strategic partnership called Bretanha – AMVC Management Services.

“This new business combines AMVC’s knowledge and experience in swine management and Bretanha’s breeding and reproduction expertise to create a comprehensive swine management company focused on bringing innovation and efficiency to Brazil’s swine producers,” said the release.

By sharing resources and leveraging each company’s strengths, the partnership aims to provide Brazilian pork producers with a progressive system approach to production and innovation in reproductive technologies.

Barbeque Competition at the American Royal Raises Over $10,000 in Hurricane Relief

The American Royal World Series of Barbeque Open and Invitational Contests, held Oct. 1 and 2 at The Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan, is the largest sanctioned barbeque contest in the world.

This year’s Operation BBQ Relief (OBR) disaster relief efforts support Port Charlotte, Fla. Totaling over $10,000 to OBR, songwriter Jordan Beef donated his tips earned in his live music performance during the barbeque’s pre-contest event, while the Seaboard Foundation, Seaboard Foods, Daily’s Premium Meats and Triumph Foods matched his tips dollar-for-dollar.

Prairie Fresh donated two truckloads of pork—114,000 meals—to OBR this year, adding to over 3 million pork meals donated to the organization since 2015.

MU Breaks Ground on $30 Million Laboratory Expansion and Renovation

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 19:30:17 GMT

Ground has broken on a $30 million renovation and expansion at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.

Performing over 167,000 diagnostic tests on companion and agricultural animals, wildlife and zoo animals annually, the Level 1 Laboratory of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network plays a large role in early detection, testing and post-outbreaks of foreign and emerging animal diseases, such as avian influenza, African swine fever, classical swine fever, and foot-and-mouth disease.

The laboratory supports clients from 110 Missouri counties and 45 U.S. states.

The facility’s expansion and renovation will include 34,200 sq. ft. added to the existing building, including:

• Separate receiving areas and laboratories for routine, high-risk and foreign animal disease and biosecurity cases

• Separate laboratory spaces for clean materials and diseased or infected materials

• Space for client consultation

• An area for after-hours sample drop-offs

• Space for laboratory teaching and research

• ADA accessible entrances

The construction of the facility is expected to be complete by summer of 2024.

$80M in Funding Awarded to Roeslein Alternative Energy Partnership for Climate-Smart Project

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 15:00:21 GMT

To be used in a five-year pilot project in Iowa and Missouri, titled Horizon II, Roeslein Alternative Energy (RAE) and 13 public and private entity partners will dedicate $80 million in awarded funding from USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities to demonstrate a climate-smart future for corn, soybean, livestock and renewable natural gas production, a release says.

The goals of Horizon II include:

• Enhance climate-smart markets

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG)

• Improve carbon sequestration in corn, soybean, pork and beef commodity production

• Create opportunities for small and underserved producers

• Benefit soil health

• Clean water

• Flood control

• Habitats for native wildlife

Improved management of nitrogen fertilizer and other inputs on agricultural land will also be incentivized.

In the pilot program, Iowa and Missouri producers will have the opportunity to be compensated by:

• GHG reductions and carbon sequestration in soil through an outcomes-based carbon credit program

• Cover cropping and grassland restoration though a market-based program, supporting renewable natural gas production through anaerobic digestion of herbaceous biomass and manure

After full development, deployment and verification, the program may be extended and tailored to other agricultural commodities, such as dairy and poultry, and other regions of the country, the release explains.

Partner organizations involved in the RAE Horizon II project include

• Biostar Renewables

• Conservation Districts of Iowa

• Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance

• Iowa Soybean Association•

• Iowa State University

• Missouri Prairie Foundation

• Sievers Family Farms

• Soil and Water Outcomes Fund

• Smithfield Foods

• The Nature Conservancy

• University of Missouri

• Verdesian

• Veterans in Agriculture.

“Since founding RAE, our overarching goal has been to provide farmers an alternative way to use land, especially highly erodible acres, in ways that will benefit the environment, wildlife, and their own livelihood,” says Rudi Roeslein, RAE founder and CEO. “This funding will propel Horizon II forward more rapidly than otherwise would have been possible. We will show how farmers and landowners can do well for themselves while also providing ecological services and wildlife benefits.”

MPA Chairman’s Award Presented to Kevin Rosenbohm

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 22:00:52 GMT

Don Laut, chairman of the Missouri Pork Association (MPA), announced Kevin Rosenbohm from Graham, Missouri, as the recipient of the prestigious Chairman’s Award during the 2022 Missouri Pork Expo on February 8.

Kevin, a farmer and former pork producer, served on the MPA Board and as Chairman of the MPA Government and Public Policy committee. He was instrumental in the formation of the MPA Pork PAC and has been an avid supporter ever since. Kevin was a member of the Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow (ALOT) program and is a long-standing member of the Missouri Air Conservation Commission.

He and wife Michelle have owned Graham Seed for 23 years. They also host a long running intern program for collegiate agriculture students in Ireland, providing them with hands-on farming experience here in Missouri.

Each year, the Chairman’s Award is presented to a key individual for their outstanding service and support of the pork industry, the Association, and its members.

The 2022 Missouri Pork Expo was held February 8-9 in Osage Beach. Pork producers from across the state enjoyed a trade show, producer education sessions and guest speakers.

Missouri Pork Association Presents Award to Representative Dean Plocher

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 21:58:25 GMT

Don Laut, chairman of the Missouri Pork Association (MPA), presented the Outstanding Legislator Award to Representative Dean Plocher (R-89th District) during the 2022 Missouri Pork Expo on February 8. Representative Plocher was chosen for his outstanding support of the Missouri Pork Association, the Missouri pork industry and all of agriculture.

“Representative Plocher, while an urban legislator, has a great understanding of agriculture and its importance here in Missouri. When dealing with issues at the Capitol, he brings practicality, common sense and a business mindset to the discussions; plus, he’s one you can count on to step up and do the right thing.” said Laut

Pork producers from across the state attended the 2022 Missouri Pork Expo held in Osage Beach, Missouri on February 8-9. Highlights included a trade show, educational sessions and guest speakers.

Missouri Pork Industry - Meating the Challenge

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 18:23:37 GMT

The Missouri Pork Association welcomes producers, suppliers and distributors to the 2022 Missouri Pork Expo. The two-day event promotes the pork industry, educates youth and adults and distributes information from current research. The Expo begins the morning of Tuesday, February 8 and runs through Wednesday afternoon, February 9 at the Margaritaville Lake Resort in Osage Beach, Missouri.

The Educational Series and One-Day Swine Trade Show are feature attractions for the 2022 Expo. Participants may also attend events including the FFA Pork Speaking Contest Finals, Pork Industry Banquet and Pork Leadership Breakfast.

The largest swine-specific Trade Show in Missouri will include 108 booths featuring the latest products in the industry on February 8 ONLY. The show registration, sponsored by Ag Property Solutions, opens at 8 am Tuesday and includes a Silent Auction, sponsored by Nedap Livestock Management, as well as the Trade Show Hospitality Area, sponsored by The Parks Companies. Wright Brand Bacon, sponsored by Tyson, will be cooked fresh that morning. Thanks to Protect the Harvest for providing lanyards for the event and Purina Animal Nutrition for sponsoring the Expo Pocket Guide. Live auction items to be sold during the Pork Industry Banquet will also be on display. The trade show closes at 5:00 pm that evening.

Youth swine exhibitors are expected to complete Show Me Quality Assurance (SMQA) certification, beginning at 9:30 am, during the 2021 In the Show Ring educational workshop, sponsored by Heimer Hampshires. The Tuesday workshop prepares young people to show swine at the local and state levels. Participants will enjoy lunch and a scavenger hunt, sponsored by FCS Financial.

The Missouri Pork Expo will host a Barbecue Lunch on Tuesday. The barbecue is by Lynch Livestock, Inc., and ice cream provided by Midwest Dairy Association. Lunch is $10 per person and free to youth. This will follow the FFA Pork Speaking Contest finals, sponsored by BarnTools.

The 2022 Expo Educational Series kicks off February 8 at 9:00 am with Social Media – Make a Plan and Stick to It!, sponsored by Fast Genetics USA. The panel will feature Alice Roach, MBA, University of Missouri; Kylie Epperson, Legacy Pork; and Andrew Howerton, Reliance Pork.

It is followed at 10:00 am by What If ASF Strikes? Be Prepared with Secure Pork Supply, AgView, US SHIP and RAB App, presented by Lisa Becton, DVM, National Pork Board, and Corrine Bromfield, DVM, University of Missouri. The session is sponsored by The Climate Corporation.

At 11:00 am, Dr. Seth Meyer, USDA, and Dr. Scott Brown, University of Missouri, will present 2022 Economic Issues & Opportunities for Pork Producers, sponsored by JBS Live Pork.

At 1:00 pm, the fourth session will begin, titled Depopulation and Logistics of Mass Disposal, sponsored by MFA, Inc. The panel will be moderated by Jerry Foster with JBS Live Pork, and include Linda Lackman, DVM, USDA APHIS; Bill Pittenger, Missouri Department of Agriculture; and Sherri Stoner, Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Banquet Reception, sponsored by the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, will begin at 5:30 and include a wine tasting, courtesy of the Missouri Wine and Grape Board, and a spirits tasting with various Missouri distillers. The reception will lead up to the Pork Industry Banquet, sponsored by the Pork Checkoff, and end with the Pork Industry Fundraising Auction, sponsored by BarnTools. Tickets for the banquet are $50 prior to the Expo and $55 on site.

The Educational Series continues February 9 with the Pork Leadership Breakfast, featuring Jim Wiesemeyer with ProFarmer. There is an additional $60 fee to attend the breakfast prior to the Expo, $70 on site, which is sponsored by Enterprise Bank and Trust, the National Pork Producers Council, Smithfield Hog Production Division Midwest Region and Wiechman Pig Company.

Stay after breakfast for the University of Missouri Commercial Agriculture Program’s Pork Industry Hot Topics, sponsored by the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council. Faculty from MU will cover topics including:

Setting Ventilation Controllers in Wean-Finish Tunnel Ventilated Barns, Dr. Joe Zulovich;

Sky-High Fertilizer Prices: Is This the Year to Hire a Dredge for Lagoon Sludge? Economics Under Current/Forecast Prices, Dr. Teng Lim and Dr. Ray Massey;

Incorporating Ingredients You’ve Never Considered for Growing Pig Diets, Dr. Marcia Shannon;

Updates from the International Pig Survivability Conference, Corinne Bromfield, DVM; and

Depending on China, Here’s What to Expect for Prices Going Forward, Dr. Scott Brown.

The Expo concludes with a Missouri Pork Association Board lunch (invitation only), sponsored by the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, and followed by a board meeting on Wednesday afternoon, which is open to all producers.

Additional sponsors for the 2022 Missouri Pork Expo include Agri-Tech Enterprises, Inc.; Boehringer Ingelheim; Central Bank of Boone County; Hawkins Water Treatment; Huvepharma, Inc.; Maurer-Stutz, Inc.; Maximus; Missouri Agribusiness Association; PIC; Simmons Bank; SKOV North America, Inc.; SNPartners; Stutsman Inc.; and The Law Firm of Haden and Colbert.

Registration for the Expo trade show and educational sessions is free. There is a non-exhibiting supplier fee of $50. More information regarding the 2022 Missouri Pork Expo is available at http://www.mopork.com/events/events-2022moexpo/.

Oetting Homestead Farms Receives Missouri Leopold Conservation Award

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 18:58:54 GMT

Oetting Homestead Farms of Concordia, Missouri, located in Lafayette County, has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 Missouri Leopold Conservation Award®. This award, named after renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, recognizes farmers, ranchers and foresters who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private land.

Steve and Sharon Oetting’s farm was announced as the award recipient during the Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture in Osage Beach on November 18. For their recognition, the Oettings received a check for $10,000 and a crystal award.

In Missouri , this award is presented annually by Sand County Foundation , American Farmland Trust , Missouri Farmers Care Foundation , the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) .

“The Oetting family have demonstrated the long-term commitment necessary to constantly build and protect their land, allowing this 5th and 6th generation farm family to continue to make a living producing food for America,” said Scott Edwards, NRCS Missouri State Conservationist. “Being intentional in implementing conservation practices and investing in the future, make this farm an excellent example of the many good things happening in Missouri agriculture.”

Steve and Sharon have continually demonstrated the compatibility of conservation and commerce on their family’s century farm. With their sons Sean and Clint and their families, the Oettings grow corn, soybeans, wheat, and custom finish 3,000 hogs annually. Their efforts to reduce soil erosion, enhance wildlife habitat and protect water and air quality led to Oetting Homestead Farms being certified as one of the first farms in the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Stewardship Assurance Program.

“In agriculture, our greatest resource is the land, and as farmers, it is our duty to be good stewards of that land for future generations,” said Kyle Durham, chairman of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council. “Sustainability is one of the top priorities for the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, and it’s outstanding to see the spotlight on the Oetting family’s example of stewardship.”

In the 1970s, the Oettings transitioned from dairy to pork production. To store swine manure, they constructed a three-lagoon system with an adjoining 2.8-acre lake, which eliminated the need to purchase 1.3 million gallons of fresh water annually. The lake is used for watering livestock and other farm uses, including washing barns. Effluent treated in the lagoons is recycled to provide nutrients for crops at a much lower cost than commercial fertilizer.

To prevent erosion, rotational cropping of no-till corn and soybeans is used on all available cropland. Underground tile outlets and terraces are installed and maintained. In consultation with a certified crop advisor, the family utilizes soil sampling and variable rate fertilizing and seeding practices. The use of precision agriculture enables the Oettings to apply crop nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in precise amounts to limit risk of runoff and increase yield potential while cutting input costs.

“As the national sponsor for Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust celebrates the hard work and dedication of the Missouri award recipient,” said John Piotti, AFT President and Chief Executive Officer. “At AFT, we believe that conservation in agriculture requires a focus on the land, the practices and the people and this award recognizes the integral role of all three.”

Earlier this year, Missouri landowners were encouraged to apply, or be nominated, for the award. Applications were reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders. Among the many outstanding Missouri farmers nominated for the award were finalists: Britt Farms of Clifton Hill in Randolph County, and Cope Grass Farms of Truxton in Lincoln County.

“Leopold Conservation Award recipients are at the forefront of a movement by America’s farmers and ranchers to simultaneously achieve economic and environmental success,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer.

The Leopold Conservation Award Program in Missouri is made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Missouri Farmers Care Foundation, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, Sand County Foundation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, MFA, Inc., Missouri Fertilizer Control Board, FCS Financial, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Missouri Soil and Water Conservation Program, Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, McDonald’s and The Nature Conservancy in Missouri.

In his influential 1949 book, A Sand County Almanac, Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage, which he called “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological necessity.” Sand County Foundation presents the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 23 states with a variety of conservation, agricultural and forestry organizations. For more information on the award, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org .

LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD PROGRAM

The Leopold Conservation Award is a competitive award that recognizes landowner achievement in voluntary conservation. Sand County Foundation presents the award in California, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont). www.leopoldconservationaward.org

SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION

Sand County Foundation inspires and empowers a growing number of private landowners to ethically manage natural resources in their care, so future generations have clean and abundant water, healthy soil to support agriculture and forestry, plentiful habitat for wildlife and opportunities for outdoor recreation. www.sandcountyfoundation.org

AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST

American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through its No Farms, No Food message. Since its founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.5 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally sound farming practices on millions of additional acres, and supported thousands of farm families. www.farmland.org

MISSOURI FARMERS CARE FOUNDATION

Missouri Farmers Care Foundation enables Missourians to understand the influence and importance of agriculture in their daily lives by serving as the centralized hub of the unified educational programs, awards, and hunger relief efforts of Missouri’s agricultural community. www.MOFarmersCare.com

MISSOURI SOYBEAN MERCHANDISING COUNCIL

The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council is a statewide, farmer-led organization working to improve opportunities for Missouri soybean farmers through a combination of research, outreach, education and market development efforts through the soybean checkoff. www.mosoy.org

USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS)

NRCS, an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, provides financial and technical assistance on a voluntary basis to land users interested in protecting, restoring and enhancing natural resources. NRCS helps people help the land through more than 100 local offices located in USDA Service Centers. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov

Cattle Fraud Charges Added To Diemel Murders

Wed, 19 May 2021 20:39:30 GMT

A Missouri man facing capital murder charges in the deaths of two Wisconsin brothers is now also facing federal cattle fraud charges.

The Department of Justice announced this week that a federal grand jury in Kansas City, MO, returned one count of mail fraud against Garland Joseph Nelson in connection to the 2019 murder of Wisconsin brothers Nicholas and Justin Diemel.

Nelson has been held since July 2019 without bail, and trial for double murder is set for June 2022 in Johnson County, MO. The case was moved from Caldwell County to Warrensburg, MO, due to pretrial publicity.

(Farm Journal)

Garland Nelson

A DOJ news release about the mail fraud charges alleges Nelson entered into a business relationship with the Diemel brothers to care for cattle. While Nelson cared for some of the Diemels’ cattle, he is alleged to have sold, traded or killed some cattle without paying the Diemels any of the proceeds, and continued to bill the Diemels for care of the cattle.

When the Diemels became suspicious of the scheme, they stopped sending cattle to Nelson and demanded payment. Nelson eventually sent the Diemels a check for nearly $216,000, but the check was tied to a bank account with just .21 cents.

Court documents allege that, as Nicholas Diemel became frustrated with Nelson’s lack of payment, he and his brother traveled to Missouri to retrieve the money. It was during that trip in July 2019 where Nelson allegedly killed the brothers and attempted to dispose of their bodies.

Nelson faces a possible death penalty if convicted of the murder charges.

Related stories:

Wisconsin Brothers’ Family Sues For Wrongful Death In Missouri

Diemel Remains Possibly Found In Nebraska Stock Trailer, Sheriff Says

Farm Journal Awards Sonja Hillgren Memorial Scholarships

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:52:15 GMT

Farm Journal is committed to investing in building student leaders who will soon be the face of the agricultural industry. The Sonja Hillgren Memorial Scholarship provides three university students who have a passion for food and agriculture with $1,500 each, professional development opportunities and mentoring from Farm Journal editorial staff, as well as the potential for their work to be published online and in Farm Journal brand publications.

The experiential scholarship program honors the late Sonja Hillgren, award-winning journalist, former editor of Farm Journal and former president of the National Press Club. Recipients will gain valuable workplace experience as they showcase agriculture and interact with rural communities.

The first three winners of the Sonja Hillgren Memorial Scholarship are:

Madeline McGarry, from Ames, Iowa, is a senior at Iowa State University. She has considerable experience in the pork industry and in agricultural policy, thanks to internships in Washington, D.C., and abroad. After graduation, she plans to build her career around telling agriculture’s stories.

Grace Vehige is a senior at the University of Arkansas. She wants to connect consumers to farmers and help farmers navigate generational transitions. Vehige was raised in Billings, Mo., where she manages her family’s social media outreach for their cattle operation.

Macey Hurst, a senior at Missouri State University, was raised in Wardsville, Mo., where she manages social media for her family’s cattle operation. In addition to helping grow her family farm, Hurst hopes to pursue a career in agricultural broadcasting.

“These students embody the energy, enthusiasm and love for agriculture that Sonja Hillgren brought to her role as editor of Farm Journal,” said Charlene Finck, President of Producer Media for Farm Journal. “Creating opportunities for young people to build their skills in communicating with ag audiences and telling industry stories is what Sonja stood for, loved and dedicated her life’s work to. Farm Journal is honored to carry on that work by giving these students an opportunity to serve the industry in her name.”

Scholarship winners will work as members of the #FJSocialSquad where they will develop a wide variety of content for Farm Journal’s social media channels and receive training from Farm Journal editors. Their work will be eligible for publication online and in Farm Journal’s print publications. Staff members will teach students valuable career skills transferable to future endeavors.

Search For Wisconsin Brothers Finds Human Remains

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:50:22 GMT

The 10-day search for two Wisconsin brothers has uncovered human remains, the Clinton County, Missouri, sheriff confirmed Wednesday at a news conference.

The remains were located Tuesday at a Braymer, Missouri, farm where Wisconsin ranchers Nick and Justin Diemel were last known to be, Sheriff Larry Fish said. Officials are waiting for DNA testing to confirm the identities of the remains. Fish would not comment on the condition of the remains.

The search for the Diemel brothers has included various sites in Caldwell and Clinton counties in Missouri.

“Investigators are still working with Frontier Forensics doctors to determine what took place,” Fish said. “Investigators will continue to follow up on leads, and if you have information, we urge you to call.”

Fish said the only suspect remains Garland “Joey” Nelson, who is currently jailed on one charge that he tampered with the brothers’ rental truck. Nelson was arrested July 26 and denied bond in a hearing Monday. He is scheduled for another bond hearing Thursday, Aug. 1.

Tomme Feil, who owns the property and is Nelson’s mother, told the Kansas City Star she and her family returned home from Branson on July 21 to find her son speaking to police officers.

Feil said she has no idea why her son would have moved the rental truck but she also cannot see him being involved in the Diemel brothers’ deaths.

“He’s hardworking. He always seems to care about family,” Feil said.

She said she wouldn’t know if he got mixed up in something he shouldn’t have. She is waiting and hoping, she said, for “it all to go away.”

On Tuesday in Shawano County (Wis.) Probate Court, Lisa Diemel, the wife of Nicholas Diemel, asked a judge to declare both Nicholas and Justin legally dead so she can manage the brothers’ livestock business.

Court records show Lisa Diemel is listed as a “special administrator.” The date of death is listed as July 21, the day the brothers missed their return flight to Wisconsin and the day police said the brothers were at the farm in Braymer, Missouri.

The Diemel brothers were in Missouri checking on cattle, and were scheduled to return to their home in Wisconsin on Sunday, July 21, 2019. Their family became concerned when they missed that flight.

The brothers had rented a Ford F-250 truck from Budget Rent A Car, and authorities used GPS information from that vehicle to determine it was driven from a Quality Inn off I-35 in Cameron, MO, to a farm near Braymer the morning of the 21st.

A little more than two hours after the brothers arrived at the farm, the truck was driven away from the farm and spotted by several security cameras approximately a half-hour later in Polo with no one in the passenger seat.

The truck was parked in a commuter lot near Interstate 35 and Missouri PP in Holt, Missouri, around 12:45 p.m. and left running with the keys in the ignition and lights on.

Nelson admitted to authorities that he drove the vehicle from the farm to the commuter lot. Nelson was arrested and charged with one count of tampering with an automobile, because Nicholas Diemel was the only authorized driver, according to the rental agreement signed July 20.

Related stories:

Missouri Man Arrested In Wisconsin Brothers’ Disappearance

Missouri Man Arrested In Wisconsin Brothers' Disappearance

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:50:14 GMT

A Braymer, Missouri, man has been charged in connection to the disappearance of two Wisconsin brothers north of Kansas City, MO. Officials, however, have not said if they know where Nick and Justin Diemel are yet.

However, “It has changed from a missing person’s case into a death investigation,” Caldwell County Sheriff Jerry Galloway said Friday afternoon.

Garland Nelson, 25, Braymer, MO, has been charged with tampering with a motor vehicle, a first-degree felony, in Caldwell County. The charge stems from the search for the 35-year-old Nick and 24-year-old Justin Diemel. The brothers own Diemel’s Livestock together near Seymour in the Green Bay, Wisconsin area.

Court documents said that the Diemel brothers left a Quality Inn off I-35 on Sunday morning in Cameron, MO, and to an address on Catawba Road in Braymer where Nelson operates his farm.

A few hours later, the truck’s GPS information shows it leaving the farm. It’s later seen on surveillance footage in Polo, and there is no one in the passenger seat.

Just before 1 p.m. later that day, the truck pulls into a commuter lot in Holt, MO, which is where officials would later find it on Monday, empty with the keys in the ignition.

Nelson admitted to driving the truck from Catawba Road and leaving it at the commuter lot, court records say. He was booked into jail Friday afternoon and is being held without bond.

Nick Diemel’s wife, Lisa, said the brothers’ wallets and cell phones weren’t found in their vehicle when it was recovered.

Lisa Diemel said the two were checking on some of their cattle.

So far, investigators have focused their search around Nelson’s property, but they’ve also searched other areas of Clinton and Caldwell counties.

Nelson has a conviction for selling cattle that didn’t belong to him and spent two years in a federal penitentiary for that charge.

If you have any information, you’re asked to call Clinton County CrimeStoppers at 816-632-TIPS.

Related story:

Wisconsin Ranch Brothers Missing In Missouri

Strong Cattle Prices Continue; Hog Markets Drop

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:43:18 GMT

Cattle prices remain high, though they are down from the record set last October. Beef prices, however, are still breaking records at the grocery store, University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist Ron Plain told the 2015 MU Spring Ag Marketing Outlook Conference on April 22.

“March average retail beef prices were $6.08 a pound,” Plain said. “That’s a record high for the fourth consecutive month.”

Plain says that’s because grocery store prices lag behind farm prices. In addition, the seasonal peak for beef prices is usually in March and April, so stores are reluctant to cut prices too much in advance of that. He says prices typically drop during the summer and consumers will see relief at the meat counter.

Hog prices, on the other hand, have pulled back significantly since last fall. At times hog prices have dropped to half of what they were a year ago, Plain said.

“Hog prices started dropping faster than cattle did and we’ve already seen prices in the grocery store decline as a result,” he said. “The actual peak for grocery store pork prices happened in September and we’ve been lower each month since.”

Plain says producers should see hog prices start to increase soon but still remain substantially lower than they were a year ago.

“Last year was the most profitable year ever to be in the hog business,” he said. “Feed costs are going to be lower, so an average producer will make a little bit of money this year. Nothing like last year, but when the year is over with we expect them to be in the black.”

Domestic demand for beef and pork has been strong this year but export demand has been down due to the strong dollar and a slowdown in the world economy. Plain says it’s important that exports do well or cattle and hog prices may be lower than expected.

Presentation slides from the conference are available .

Source: University of Missouri Extension

Missouri Senate Advances Bill on Industrial Farm Rules

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:24:35 GMT

Missouri senators are advancing legislation to block local officials from regulating industrial farms more strictly than the state does.

Senators gave initial approval to the bill Tuesday.

The measure sparked an overnight debate over the environmental impact of large farms, local control and actions by some county officials that critics say threaten to regulate industrial farms out of existence.

Supporters of the bill say it will help ensure farmers can make a living in rural Missouri.

Industrial farms known as concentrated animal feeding operations allow for more efficient production of beef, pork, poultry, dairy and eggs. They’ve also stoked concerns about air and water pollution.

The measure needs another Senate vote to move to the House for consideration. Lawmakers face a May 17 deadline to pass legislation.

Two Missouri Measures Could Halt Local Rules Over Large Farms

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:24:19 GMT

Measures advancing in the Missouri Legislature would limit the scope of rules that local governments can slap on large animal feeding operations.

House lawmakers on Thursday voted 101-42 to pass a bill to give county sheriffs and federal or state agencies with authority over farms the exclusive right to inspect them.

Operations that would be covered under the proposal include facilities that produce eggs, dairy products, livestock or poultry, or the raising “of dogs or other animals that are not used to produce any food product.”

The bill by Republican Rep. Kent Haden would mean that counties couldn’t enforce health ordinances or zoning laws over certain livestock facilities, said Brian Smith, a lobbyist and organizer for the Missouri Rural Crisis Center, a statewide network that works to preserve family farms, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

Haden said county health officials lack the expertise to regulate the large operations, and that often local governments are biased against the facilities.

“They do not have the training, they don’t have consistency,” Haden said. “And, again, almost all of the health ordinances are designed to prohibit, not to allow.”

Republican Sen. Mike Bernskoetter is sponsoring a related bill that would ban counties from enacting rules that are “inconsistent with or more stringent” than state regulations. The proposal would prevent counties from regulating where livestock facilities are built and from adopting rules to reduce hazardous smells.

“One (bill) is saying you can’t do a health ordinance and the other is saying you can’t enforce a health ordinance,” Smith said.

Opponents argue that emissions from the large farms, which include hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, can pose health risks for neighbors.

Senators debated the measure Tuesday but took no action.

Roughly 20 Missouri counties already have health ordinances that deal with concerns about hazardous odors and downstream pollution caused by concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, according to the University of Missouri Extension.

Blake Hurst, president of the Missouri Farm Bureau, said Bernskoetter’s legislation would ensure “that regulation of CAFOs is uniform across the state,” which he said would be good for business.

Missouri Measure Would Boost Fines For Releasing Feral Hogs

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 03:30:19 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri lawmaker wants to increase fines for people who release feral hogs in the state.

The Springfield News-Leader reports letting feral hogs loose is a misdemeanor now and comes with a fine of up to $1,000 for each hog released, and up to a year in jail for the perpetrator.

House Rep. Sonya Anderson’s bill would raise the fine to $5,000 for each hog released. The person responsible would also lose hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for three years. She said she has no intention of eliminating the jail-time provision.

Anderson says feral hogs can destroy field crops and cause other extensive damage to land and waterways.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has expressed concerns that some people release hogs to help establish a population they can hunt.

Foes of Missouri Hog Farm Proposal Win Court Ruling

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 03:29:56 GMT

A judge has found that two members of the Missouri Clean Water Commission violated their duty to be impartial while considering a large hog breeding operation in mid-Missouri.

Tuesday’s ruling bars commission chairman Todd Parnell of Springfield and member Ashley McCarty of Novinger from taking part in discussions or votes on an appeal of the issuance of a permit for the proposed Callaway Farrowing LLC breeding farm in western Callaway County, The Columbia Daily Tribune reported .

Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green said Parnell and McCarty sought information outside the legal record during a March 2015 tour of hog operations, driving by the proposed site of the Callaway Farrowing property in separate vehicles. Parnell also asked questions about the project.

The ruling is a victory for Friends For Responsible Agriculture, which is opposed to the hog farm. The ruling could be appealed, but if it is allowed to become final, the commission will be able to vote with five of seven members participating, opponents’ attorney Stephen Jeffery said.

Those who would be able to participate include three of the four who voted against a permit for a hog operation near Trenton where similar issues were raised, including whether the company involved was financially strong enough to be responsible for pollution violations, Jeffery said.

Friends of Responsible Agriculture also is suing the commission accusing it of violating the Sunshine Law by not adequately providing notice of the tours. While attorneys for Callaway Farrowing rode along on the tour, opponents received no notice.

These Pigs Could be Worth $660 Million

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 03:28:56 GMT

The Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus has plagued the U.S. since 1987. Infected pigs have trouble reproducing and gaining weight, and they have a high mortality rate. There’s no vaccine, and losses in North America total around $660 million annually.

That all could change after researchers from the University of Missouri, Kansas State University and Genus, plc have successfully bred pigs that aren’t harmed by PRRS.

“Once inside the pigs, PRRS needs some help to spread,” says Randall Prather, Mizzou professor of animal sciences. “It gets that help from a protein called CD163. We were able to breed a litter of pigs that do not produce this protein, and as a result, the virus doesn’t spread. When we exposed the pigs to PRRS, they did not get sick and continued to gain weight normally.”

Researchers hope the discovery will have enormous implications for the food industry and pig producers. The University of Missouri signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Genus, plc, who will seek necessary approvals and registrations from governments if the development stage is successful.

“There are several critical challenges ahead as we develop and commercialize this technology,” says Jonathan Lightner, head of R&D for Genus, plc. “However, the promise is clear, and [we are] committed to developing its potential.”

The researchers’ study will be published in the journal Nature Biotechnology in December 2015.