Local experts say agricultural business outlook remains positive

By Colette Lefebvre

Herald-Tribune

Nevada, Mo. -- The enthusiasm knew no bounds at Friday afternoon's Nevada/Vernon County Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

The primary topic of conversation behind the scenes was Prairie Pride's new groundbreaking venture into biodiesel production. But agricultural endeavors mean much more than this to the community and is one of the area's biggest industries.

To highlight the role of agribusiness in the area, speakers from the various agribusinesses were ready to share some statistics and revenue figures with the local business people.

Steve Brier of Murphy Brown, a division of Smithfield products, spoke about the amount of revenue that the pig farms are bringing to the area.

"There are 15,000 farms, 1.2 million in meat pigs that are about 45 to 50 pounds. We feed about 10,000 bushels of corn -- that equals to about half the corn in Vernon County." said Brier. He also cited an MU study, conducted by Ray Masse, which found that Vernon County pig revenue and production raised considerably from 1987 to 2002, statistically 242 percent.

Dianna Fay of Orschlen Farm and Home, spoke to the chamber about new products that the store is going to carry, specifically, fuel alternatives like tubes of soy grease that sell for about $2.99 a tube.

Mike Wyatt of Murphy Family Ventures explained that company's presence in Missouri and Vernon County. Wyatt, made the distinction that though Murphy Brown and Murphy Family Ventures work hand in hand, they are two very different companies. Wyatt also explained that the company not only has an interest in pig production but crop production as well. "We farm about 4,000 acres which includes beans, corn, wheat, and hay." said Wyatt.

Wayne Prewitt began his very enthusiastic speech with, " Vernon County has produced $141 million in ag production -- in livestock that's about $100 million."

Prewitt is heartened by a new dairy farming facility that he expects will contribute greatly to Vernon County's economic development. The number of farms currently in Vernon County equates to about 1,339 -- that's 426,450 acres with an estimated value of about $471,227,250.

On average, the farm size is about 305 acres. There are 779 full time farmers, 648 part time farmers, 915 beef/dairy farmers, 53 hog farms, 39 sheep farms, 171 corn farms, 210 wheat farms, 28 oat farms, 66 milo farms, 302 soybean farms, 719 hay farms, nine vegetable farms, and 111 pecan orchards.