Pork producers honored, queen crowned, ambassador selected
From news reports
Date Modified: 02/11/2010 8:02 AM
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DES MOINES —The 68th class of Master Pork Producers was recognized at the 2010 Iowa Pork Congress Banquet in Des Moines.
The brass belt buckle, emblematic of the award, and a certificate of achievement was presented to 13 pork producers.
All award winners were nominated by their peers and neighbors and were recognized for their expertise in segments of the production cycle and understanding of current industry issues, quality assurance, animal identification and well-being and their production efficiency.
Master Pork Producers are: David Hoogendoorn, Inwood, Lyon County; Gregg and Sandy Mattson, Alta, Buena Vista County; Myron, Wayne and Paul Pingel, Aurelia, Cherokee County; Lloyd, Norma and Curt Winters, Hull, Sioux County; Daniel Ulfers, West Bend, Kossuth County; Wayne Watts, Clarion, Wright County; Mike Williams, Williams, Hamilton County; Dean and Linda Frazer, Conrad, Grundy County; Aaron and Trish Cook, Winthrop, Buchanan County; Ron and Elizabeth Juergens, Carroll, Carroll County; Brad and Joyce Moeckly, Elkhart, Polk County; James and Sandi Kopriva, Clutier, Tama County; and Dan and Rachel Berdo, Washington, Washington County.
Pork queen, princess and ambassador
This 2010 Iowa Pork Queen is Natalie Ostheimer, daughter of James and Rhonda Ostheimer of Iowa Falls. She represented Hardin County. She attends Ellsworth Community College.
The 2010 Princess is Kristen Hora, daughter of Tom and Mary Hora of Washington. She represented Washington County. She is a senior at Highland High School.
The 2010 Premier Pork Youth Ambassador is Sarah Pakala, daughter of Lynn and Gayl Pakala of Dike. She represented Grundy County. She is attending Iowa State University where she is majoring in agricultural studies.
Promotion and education awards
Kendra Gilbert of Ionia in Chickasaw County was the state Belle Ringer Award winner and Robert Palmer of Manchester was the Hog Wild winner. Both were recognized for their promotion efforts. Delaware County was honored for Best County Promotion Program and Chickasaw County was recognized for Best County Educational Program.
Master Seedstock winner
Doug and Priscilla England of Clearfield received the Master Seedstock Award.
The Englands raise Berkshires for Eden Farms Berkshire Pork. Doug has been in the pork business for 30 years and has spent 26 years in the seedstock industry. In 2008, 48 litters were farrowed to meet customer demand throughout the year. Nearly all of England's seedstock sales are to producers who require high quality pork to fill their niche orders. The primary focus of the pork enterprise is to improve productivity and muscle eating quality.
Environmental Steward
IPPA presented the 2009 Environmental Steward Award to Peter and Aaron Juergens from Dedham.
The Juergens brothers became owners in the family pork operation in 2006 when they purchased three finishing sites in rural Carroll County. Their Ranch Creek finishing site was nominated for the award. The building houses 2,400 head. The Juergens family has a 5,500-head farrow-to-finish enterprise that produces 150,000 hogs annually.
Honorary Master Pork Producers
Eldon McAfee, an attorney with the Des Moines law firm Beving, Swanson and Forrest, and Aaron Putze, executive director of the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers, were honored as Honorary Iowa Master Pork Producers.