Jan. 29, 2015

Contact:

Tyler Bettin, Producer Education Director

(800) 372-7675,

For Immediate Release!

Clay Co. hog farmers named 2014 Master Pork Producers by IPPA

(CLIVE, Iowa) — The Kruse family from Everly has been named 2014 Master Pork Producers by the Iowa Pork Producers Association.

Keith and Joyce Kruse were honored by their peers at the Iowa Pork Congress Banquet in Des Moines last night. IPPA presented the brass belt buckle, emblematic of the award, to the couple during ceremonies that included a brief multi-media presentation of their pork production business.

Kruse Farms is a family owned, integrated crop and livestock operation. The hog business has expanded over the years from marketing 1,000 head in 1976 to nearly 20,000 head in 2013. All pigs are sold to Tyson.

Keith manages the pig nurseries are four different sites and son, Javan, manages a 2,400-head wean-to-finish site. Both own shares in a 1,300-head sow unit. Joyce handles the books and record keeping for the farms.

Manure from the hog sites is incorporated as nutrients into the family’s 990 acres of corn and 650 acres of soybeans.

The Kruses are active in the Clay County Pork Producers, with past roles as membership chair and president. They coordinate the scheduling of volunteers for the Iowa Chop Shop during the Clay Co. Fair and have worked at the Iowa Pork Tent during the state fair.

Both Keith and Joyce are active in their church and community. He is past president of the Clay County Extension Council and served as president of the Clay County Zoning Board. He also has served as township trustee and past president of the Clay County Farm Bureau.

The Kruses have two children and one grandchild.

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.

-30-