Jan. 28, 2016
Contact:
Tyler Bettin, State Public Policy Director
(800) 372-7675,
For Immediate Release!
IPPA names Emmet County couple 2015 Master Pork Producers
(CLIVE, Iowa) — A pig farming couple from Emmet County has been named 2015 Master Pork Producers by the Iowa Pork Producers Association.
The coveted brass belt buckle, emblematic of the award, was presented to Jim and Lisa Boyer of Ringsted at the Iowa Pork Congress Banquet in Des Moines last night. The honor included a brief multi-media presentation of their pig farming business.
The Boyers own and manage Boyer Farms/Diamond 5, Inc., and operate two 4,000-head wean-to-finish sites. They started raising pigs in 1996 in outdoor lots and transitioned to contract feeding in 1997.
Diamond 5 is managed in conjunction with another area producer. The arrangement includes a shared risk and marketing model, which Jim notes has allowed their family farm to survive market volatility through the last decade.
Family involvement on the farm has been central at Boyer Farms. The Boyer children; Rebecca (20), Elizabeth (18) and Kevin (13) have played an active role on the farm and demonstrated ag commitments through dedicated 4-H involvement. They emphasize telling the pork industry story and advocating for strong neighbor relations and area industry growth through assistance to other young producers. The Boyers also assist in farm operation and provide manure value for 900 acres operated by the family along with another 440 acres of crop ground.
Jim and Lisa have taken on active roles in their community by teaching Sunday school and serving on the North Union School Board and the 4-H County Fair Committee. Jim completed the National Pork Producers Council’s Pork Leadership Institute and testified before a U.S. House sub-committee on trade issues in 2013. He also has served 19 years on the Emmet County Farm Bureau Board and been an active member of the Iowa Farm Bureau Internal Study, Political Action and Swine Advisory committees. Lisa serves on the Ringsted Library and local church boards and as township and assistant city clerk.
Nominated by their neighbors and peers, Master Pork Producers are recognized for their innovation, attention to quality, efficiency and production records within their farm enterprise. They are considered industry leaders who are committed to producing the highest quality pork products. Their operations are environmentally sound, they care about the livestock, are good neighbors and active in their community.
IPPA and Iowa State University have carefully selected Master Pork Producers every year since 1942.
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