The Paul and Lisa Brandt family, Clear Lake, S.D., is holding an open house at their new 2,400 head swine finishing barn Saturday Oct.13, 2007 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.

A lunch will be offered during the open house. In addition, visitors will be able to tour the barn before the pigs are brought in.

"The Brandt's new hog barn highlights the opportunity South Dakota presents for families feeding livestock," says Steve Dick, Ag United Executive Director. "With South Dakota's record land prices and increasing fertilizer costs, many farm families are looking at the opportunities livestock feeding provides as a way to expand their family business and provide nutrients for the cropland."

The Brandt's barn located at 47153 180th St. From Hwy 22 and 15 Junction in Clear Lake: 2 miles north on Hwy. 15 and 4.5 miles west on 180th St. Or from Interstate 29, Exit 164: 2 miles east on Hwy. 22, 2 miles north and 3.5 miles east on 180th St. Watch for the signs.

Paul and Lisa raise corn, soybeans, and small grains, have a cow-calf herd and are part of a 240 sow farrow-to-finish hog farm with Paul's brother Joel. Paul is also part of another farrow-to-finish hog farm and milling operation in Clear Lake. They have four children, Caitlyn, Jacob, Tanner and Dylan.

Sponsors of the event include Ag United for South Dakota, Lange Ag Systems, Reeves Building Systems, Farm Credit Services of America, Redfield Construction, Consolidated Ready Mix, and Purina Mills, Inc.

South Dakota's hog producers raise over 2.3 million hogs annually that consume more than 25 million bushels of corn and 6.5 million bushels of soybeans. The pork industry accounts for an estimated 8,369 jobs in South Dakota including farm families, processors and supporting services. In addition, the hogs add over $500 million each year to the state's gross product.

Source: Ag United