Jan. 26, 2017
Contact:
Drew Mogler, Producer Education Director
(800) 372-7675,
For Immediate Release!
Lyon County’s Knoblock family named 2016 Master Pork Producers
(CLIVE, Iowa) — The Knoblock family from Lyon County is among the recipients of the Iowa Pork Producers Association’s 2016 Master Pork Producer Award.
IPPA presented Marti and Martha Knoblock of Rock Rapids with the coveted brass belt buckle, emblematic of the award, at the Iowa Pork Congress Banquet in Des Moines last night. The honor included a brief multi-media presentation of the Knoblock pork business.
The Knoblocks are part owners and operators of GMC farms. Marti and his brothers, Mitch and Morris, manage the swine business that consists of a 2,400-head swine nursey and three 2,400-head finishing barns. The family recently made the decision to invest in a 5,800-head sow farm near Brookings, S.D. GMC Farms markets approximately 22,000 head of pigs annually to JBS in Worthington, Minn.
GMC Farms grinds and mixes its own corn and soybeans at its on-farm feed mill. About 130 tons are ground each week to supply their hog facilities with feed. GMC was part of a ractopamine-free program in 2016 that enabled the farm to receive a premium for its hogs.
Marti and Martha are past members of the Lyon County Pork Producers board. They have six children who are active 4-H and FFA members and the entire family is involved in their church and community.
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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