Economist and Educator Recognized with Distinguished Service Award

Mar 20, 2023

Subscribe to our Newsletters

Career Focused on Building Understanding Makes Significant Impact on U.S. and Global Pork Industry

Dr. Ron Plain, professor emeritus and extension economist in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of Missouri- Columbia, was recognized as National Pork Board’s Distinguished Service Award recipient at the 2023 Pork Forum.

A Passion for Education and Helping Pig Farmers

Plain, who started his career as a high school agricultural education instructor, spent most of his professional career focused on helping producers understand the economic forces related to their pork production business.

Plain’s career in academia began just before the farm crisis and the major changes to the pork industry. During his 35 years as a professor and extension economist, Plain made more than 2,100 presentations to U.S. farm audiences and also traveled internationally, sharing his insight on how to manage pig farming as a business.

Missouri Pork Association Executive Director Don Nikodim, who grew up with Plain and taught agricultural education with him, said Plain made an incredible impact on the industry.

Click here to see more...

Trending Video

The Production Manager & Veterinarian met at the The Maschhoffs and the rest is history.

Video: The Production Manager & Veterinarian met at the The Maschhoffs and the rest is history.

The story of Rachel & Kyle Schulte joins us for In Swine Versation. We discuss each of their backgrounds in the industry, how they met at the The Maschhoffs through the fine details of firsts dates and how other couples also met and got married through The Maschhoffs. We discuss how they live on Rachel's family farm, what a typical day looks like for them. We learn about Applewood Farms and Kyle's perspective on finding himself in the middle between research and practical application. We learn about how the couple is famous for receiving Pig gigs/trinkets and where you can find them through the house. We wrap on asking One defining moment on the Farm, whether it adversity, success, or promise