For the state's 5,000 pork producing farm families, the phrase 'Pork & Beans' is more than a brand name found on grocery store shelves The popular catchphrase represents the partnership between an essential ingredient in swine diets and the necessity for reliable soybean supplies.

The Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, based in North Mankato, financially supports studies to improve soybean nutritional quality and campaigns to educate others on the importance of livestock production. A strong commitment to the end-user of its product and its stalwart backing of pork production earns MSR&PC the 2007 Minnesota Pork Industry Distinguished Service Award.

Minnesota's livestock industry is the largest user of soybean meal, consuming the equivalent of 74 million bushels of soybeans. Of that amount, 57 million bushels of soybeans are annually converted into soybean meal to feed the state's 15.1 million market hogs. When a 270-pound hog goes to market, it will have consumed 3.8 bushels of soybeans in the form of soybean meal.

"Minnesota soybean producers depend on the livestock industry for the profitability of their operations," said Scott Singlestad of Waseca, the MSR&PC Domestic Marketing Committee Chairperson. "I believe that our soybean checkoff investments into research and promotion illustrate the terrific partnership that we have with Minnesota pork producers."

Thanks to MSR&PC checkoff-funded research, pork producers garner both direct and indirect benefits. Research results have made improvements in soybean digestibility and protein levels, which directly helps pork producers formulate better feed rations for their pigs.

The checkoff research also tackles complex soybean disease questions, decreases soybean growers' costs, and improves yields, which results in reliable soybean supplies at competitive prices.

Environmental Steward of the Year, Mike Haupert of Lake Wilson; Family of the Year, Howard and Mary Jo Schoenfeld of Faribault; Pork Promoter of the Year, Julie Becker of Fairmont; and Swine Manager of the Year, Kevin Portner of New Ulm, manager of Steamboat Pork, based in Lafayette.

Award winners are nominated by their peers, business associates and members of county pork producer associations. A pork producer panel makes the final selection. For more information on the program and on submitting a nomination for the 2008 Minnesota Pork Industry Awards' program, contact Minnesota Pork Board Education Director Trudy Wastweet at (507) 345-8814 or [email protected].  

The Minnesota Pork Board works on behalf of Minnesota's 5,000 pork producing families on promotions that encourage pork consumption, research that answers questions facing its pork producers, and education to help hog farmers raise their animals and to bring safe and wholesome pork products to the marketplace. The MPB does not address legislative issues, and mandatory Pork Checkoff funds do not go towards any programs that address local, state or federal legislative initiatives. The MPB is affiliated with the National Pork Board. Both MPB and NPB programs receive USDA oversight.