Highest Iowa pork producer award goes to Lyon County farm couple
January 27, 2010
Des Moines

(CLIVE, Iowa) - The highest honor the Iowa Pork Producers Association bestows on a pork producer is the Pork All-American Award and the recipients for 2009 are producers from Inwood in Lyon County.

Mike and Sarah Ver Steeg will receive the award tonight during the 2010 Iowa Pork Congress Banquet at the Des Moines Marriott Hotel at 6 p.m.

The Ver Steegs have an 850-sow, breed-to-wean operation with all of the weaned pigs going to Mike's father, Dr. Gene Ver Steeg, for finishing. Mike and Sarah's sows produced more than 2,050 litters in 2008 with more than 21,200 pigs weaned and moved off-site to Gene's finishing facilities. Production increased over the past year, which demonstrates quality care and the genetic improvements the Ver Steeg's have incorporated.

In addition to the hog operation, Mike and Sarah farm 1,350 acres of corn that is fed to the livestock or sold to Gene for feeding to the finish pigs.

Named Master Pork Producers for 2004, the Ver Steegs and their three children are active church members and involved in community projects. Mike has held several positions in their county pork organization, as well as the Iowa Pork Producers Association, and received numerous awards.

Mike and Sarah are certified in the pork industry's Pork Quality Assurance® Plus program and they have their site registered in USDA's National Animal Identification System.

The IPPA Pork All-American award was established in 1970 to honor young producers who have established themselves as community leaders and successful and dedicated businesspersons. The recipient must be a Master Pork Producer and less than 40 years of age.

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Download 2009 Pork All-American Award