Maschhoff named NPPC president

The National Pork Producers Council named Ken Maschhoff, Carlyle, president in early March at the National Pork Forum in Atlanta.

Maschhoff, a fifth-generation pork producer, previously served on the Illinois Pork Producers Association board of directors. He currently serves on the NPPC board as a director and is chairman of the Maschhoff Family Foods board of directors.

Maschhoff Family Foods is the parent company of The Maschhoffs LLC, the largest family-owned hog production company in North America, producing more than 5 million market hogs per year through a network of more than 500 independent production partners. The company operates in nine states and produces enough pork to feed 16 million consumer households each year.

“I am extremely honored to serve as the president of the National Pork Producers Council,” says Maschhoff. “Over the years, I have stood alongside my fellow producers as we have celebrated our successes and weathered our industry lows. I continue to witness firsthand how much our industry continues to evolve, and I will work hard as the next president of NPPC to see that our industry continues thriving.”

Ken and his wife, Julie, still live on the home farm near Carlyle and have four grown children.

Source: IPPA

 IPPA offers scholarships

Nine students will earn scholarships through the Illinois Pork Producers Association scholarship program, including three $2,000 Gold scholarships, three $1,500 Silver scholarships and three $1,000 Bronze scholarships.

IPPA scholarships are open to students pursuing any undergraduate degree at any two-year or four-year college. Applicants must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or enrolling in fall 2017 to be eligible. Previous winners may apply for any scholarship level.

Applicants must submit a completed application form, transcripts, list of activities and a typed essay identifying how they plan to contribute to the pork industry. The application deadline is April 1. 

Source: IPPA

Illinois Wheat Association yield contest

Illinois Wheat Association members may sign up by May 12 for the organization's third wheat yield contest.

“We started this contest not only as a way to recognize our growers, but also to give farmers an opportunity to share what works for them,” says Jim Fraley, executive director, IWA.

Contest participants must be current members of the Illinois Wheat Association, or may pay for a one- or three-year membership when submitting their entry form and $50 entry fee.

Entry forms must be submitted by May 12. Once a completed entry form has been submitted, the IWA will provide a harvest form to collect additional information, which must be completed and returned by July 28. Entries also must be verified by a qualified supervisor.

The top four entries will be awarded in both the northern and southern regions of the state, with first place receiving $500, second place receiving $250, third place receiving $125 and fourth place receiving a three-year membership in the IWA.

Prizes will be awarded at the Summer Wheat Forum, held Aug. 22 at the Okawville American Legion. For more information and contest rules, visit illinoiswheat.org, or call the association at 309-557-3662.

Source: IWA