Jan. 23, 2014
Contact:
Tyler Bettin, Producer Education Director
(800) 372-7675,
For Immediate Release!
2013 Master Pork Producer Award presented to Marshall County farmer
(CLIVE, Iowa) — A Marshall County hog farmer has been named a Master Pork Producer for 2013 by the Iowa Pork Producers Association.
IPPA presented Mike Hotopp of State Center with the brass Master Pork Producer belt buckle, emblematic of the award, at the Iowa Pork Congress Banquet in Des Moines last night. A brief multi-media presentation of his pork production business also was shown.
Hotopp started raising pigs 29 years ago from farrow to finish and has been in the business for 29 years. He’s held a variety of off-farm jobs and hauled livestock for 10 years. Since 2003, Mike has owned and operated a 3,800-head wean-to-finish building, marketing 8,000 head annually on contract for The Maschhoffs.
Mike is certified in the pork industry’s PQA Plus and TQA programs and his swine site has completed a PQA Plus site assessment.
In addition to the hogs, Hotopp farms about 700 acres of corn and soybeans and provides some custom work for others. He spreads the manure from the hog site under a nutrient management plan, including his land and adjoining neighbor acres, to minimize travel distances. He is very aware of the synergies that the crop and livestock operations provide and is appreciative of the value that organic fertilizer contributes to crop production and sustainability for his operation.
Mike and his wife, Peggy, have three college-aged daughters. Peggy works off-farm as a public school teacher. The Hotopps have been active in church and the community, especially with the West Marshall Schools and enjoy grilling at the Iowa Pork Tent at the state fair and for numerous other Marshall County Pork Producer Association events. Mike has been on the NRCS Board for Marshall County and is on the Lincoln Valley Golf Club Board.
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 annually presented the award to Iowa hog farmers since 1942.
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