More than 300 interested in swine production attended the 2008 Missouri Pork Expo

Glen Grimes, retired extension agricultural economist, visits with Phil Howerton, past chair of the Missouri Pork Association, following his comments on the hog market forecast for 2008.

More than 300 individuals interested in pork production took part in the annual Missouri Pork Expo held in Columbia Feb. 20 and 21, according to Don Nikodim, executive vice president of the Missouri Pork Association, Columbia. The initial activity included a tour of the 66 trade displays and the hospitality of snacks, coffee, and sodas made available by MFA Incorporated.

The first planned program involved the 186 FFA and 4-H youth attending the Expo. Included was the FFA pork speaking contest finals. Lindsey Lehman of Bolivar placed first and was awarded $200; Hannah Sandidge, Marshall, placed second and was awarded $150; and Courtney Redus of Couch took third place and received $100.

During the afternoon youth interested in showing swine at state and county events were able to get their required Show-Me Quality Assurance certification by attending the "In the Show Ring" program. The workshop covered pig care, health, nutrition, disease prevention, showman ship, and handling skills. "We talked about food safety and things like how making an injection in the wrong place can devalue a carcass in the end," said Marcia Shannon, MU Extension swine nutrition specialist for the Commercial Agriculture program, who helped coordinate the Expo's youth program.

The 186 youth were divided into two groups. One group heard discussions from Linda Hickman, veterinarian at the Centralia Veterinary Clinic, and Sarah Leonhard, representing Land O'Lakes Purina Feed, discussed show pig nutrition and health. The other group took part in the showman ship demonstration provided by Mike Perry, of Perry Genetics at Liberal, and a grooming and clipping demonstration presented by Chris Perry, MU animal science student, Bethel.

The final presentation concerned selection and evaluation of selected show pigs offered by Eddie Robinson, OBC Genetics, Wellsville. Mike Dunn, chair and chief operation officer of Michael Dunn and Associates, Arlington, Va., speaker at the Pork Leadership Breakfast, stressed the importance of swine organizations across the country working together to promote the value of their products.

Members of the Commercial Agriculture swine team take the opportunity to visit with Jim Fisher, new chair of the Missouri Pork Association. They are, from left, John Lory, Fisher, Charles Fulhage, and Joe Zulovich.

The Commercial Agriculture swine focus team conducted an educational series both days of the Expo. Geared toward producers and suppliers, the sessions featured discussions of a range of topics.

John Lorry provided a regulations update on new CAFO rules; Joe Zulovich's topic was impact and implementation on reduced nocturnal temperatures; Charles Fulhage spoke on seasonal variation in lagoon nutrients; Marcia Shannon discussed availability of potential feed by-products; Bryon Wiegand had nutrition and meat quality as a topic; and Glen Grimes ended the discussion with a market forecast.

Shannon noted that Commercial Agriculture prepares and makes available a weekly summary of feed by-products free of charge for those who wish to receive it. Shannon said factors to consider include is the by-product commercially available and its nutritional value, cost, limitations, and food products. Grimes provided a review of recent market activity and said "producers might need to get used to $4.15 corn." Jim Fisher, chair of the Missouri Pork Association, Middletown, presented the annual Chairman's Award to Sharon Oetting, a pork producer from Concordia during the 2008 Missouri Pork Expo Awards Dinner.

Over the years Oetting has been involved in a number of state and national pork industry activities. She was actively involved in the Porkettes/Pork Council Women in the 1980s, was named outstanding pork council woman in 1989, and went on to be the council's president. She has also been active in the Missouri Pork Association having served as secretary in 1993, on most committees, and as a county director. In addition Oetting has been a strong supporter of the Missouri State Fair Pork Chop Place, and a host of pork promotional activities.

Oetting and her husband Steve have a farrow-to- finish operation at Concordia and the farm has been in the family since 1839. "I applaud Sharon for her commitment to the industry and the organization," said Fisher as he presented the Chairman's Award.

Mike Perry, Perry Genetics, provided his ideas on showman ship, for the youth interested in showing their pigs at county and state swine shows.

Don Nikodim, executive vice president of the Missouri Pork Association, was recognized for 25 years service and dedication to the pork industry during the Pork Industry Awards dinner. He joined the MPA in 1983 and has represented the interests of Missouri's pork producers in legislative matters as well as through the Pork Checkoff. He has also served on numerous committees and task forces for the National Pork Producers Council, National Pork Board, University of Missouri, and related agencies.

Abby Maher, a high school senior at Monroe City, was selected as one of the first Missouri Pork Association Youth Pork Ambassadors. She has extensive knowledge of the pork industry and has worked on the family farm, Maher Brothers, Inc., a 1,400 sow farrowto- finish operation. Last year Maher contracted 1,200 feeder pigs and sold them as market hogs for her own supervised agriculture experience project through the Future Farmers of America. After graduating from high school she plans to attend the University of Missouri with the goal of earning a degree in agriculture. Maher is the daughter of Tom and Teri Maher, Monroe City.

Brian Rehmeier, a high school senior at Augusta, was selected as one of the first Missouri Pork Association Youth Pork Ambassadors during the Pork Expo's awards program. Rehmeier has worked on the family farm since he was 10 years old and his responsibilities have grown to include working with pigs after birth, power washing the farrowing rooms, assisting in spreading lagoon effluent, and most recently he has begun artificially inseminating sows and gilts and collecting semen from boars. After graduatigng from Washington High School he plans to attend college and completion of his degree Rehmeier he plans to rejoin the family swine operation.

Fisher also discussed the future of the swine industry noting that the biggest challenge pork producers face is rising costs noting that the government mandated use of corn for ethanol results in the livestock sector taking a huge hit. "About 80% of the cost of production is feed," he noted.