Good Times and Great Food at the 2024 Missouri Pork Classic

Columbia, Mo.,-The Missouri Pork Association hosted the 25th annual Missouri Pork Classic on June 18, 2024, at Boonville's Hail Ridge Golf Course. This year's tournament was a tremendous success, assembling a total of thirty-eight teams comprised of area producers and industry representatives. Players enjoyed great food and endless fun on the course. Several prizes were awarded during the annual Rib Fest immediately following the tournament, including those listed below.

First, second, and third place were recognized with cash prizes in Flights A and B. The Val-Co Team secured first place in Flight A, while The Law Firm of Haden and Colbert took the top spot in Flight B. Second place in Flight A was awarded to the Raymond James/Simmons Bank Team, and third place went to the Show-Me BBQ Team. In Flight B, second place went to the State Representatives Team #2, while the Merck/JBS Team secured third. Additional cash prizes were awarded in various categories, including Longest Putt, Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin. Individual winners included Steve Richardson for Longest Drive and Enrique Fuhlage for both Closest to the Pin and Longest Putt. The skins contest also offered up a cash prize. The skins contest awarded cash prizes to FCS Financial, Ham Hill Farms, and the Law Firm of Haden & Colbert. Congratulations to all teams and individuals who contributed to this year's tournament.

A special thank you goes out to everyone that took part in the 2024 Missouri Pork Classic, especially to our dedicated sponsors who have shown continuous support with funding. Presenting sponsors included the Missouri Soybean Association, Eichelberger Farms, and the National Pork Producers Council. Registration sponsors included Heartland Builders and Protect the Harvest. Meal sponsors included Val-Co, Missouri Corn, Agri-Tech Enterprises, Reliance Pork, and FCS Financial. A huge thank you also goes to Lynch Livestock for preparing lunch, and providing and cooking ribs for the Rib Fest. We would also like to extend our gratitude to Fechtel Beverage for sponsoring refreshments for the tournament. Beverage cart sponsors include Boehringer Ingelheim, Missouri Corn, Pipestone Nutrition, Sioux Nation Ag, Show-Me Barbeque, Huvepharma, and Wiechman Pig Company. Margaritaville was sponsored by JBS.

Event Hole Sponsorships allowed companies to set up a tent and table on the course. Our event hole sponsors included: AcuFast, Assured Partners, Carthage Veterinary Service, CFM Insurance, DNA Genetics, JYGA Technologies, Maximus, Passion for Pigs, and PIC.

Hole and contest sponsors included: Central Bank of Boone County, Climate LLC, Dairy Farmers of America, Endovac Animal Health, Epperson Farms, GFI Digital, Hemphill & Associates, Hog Slat, Howerton Farms LLC, Jayce Mountain Pork, MFA Inc, Missouri Cattlemen's Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, MO-AG, Murphy Family Ventures, Nutriquest, Phibro Animal Health, Raymond James, Simmons Bank, Smithfield Foods, Synergy/AMVC, The Maschhoffs, and Triumph Foods.

For the 4^th year in a row, a successful silent auction was held. The silent auction donors included Margaritaville Lake Resort, Adam Dohrman, Wood Hat Spirits, the Missouri Grape and Wine Board, Protect the Harvest, Show-Me BBQ, Chipotle, The St. Louis Cardinals, Missouri Grown, CFM Insurance, and the Missouri State Fair.

Planning will begin soon for the 26^th Missouri Pork Classic. Watch for complete details early next year.

The Missouri Pork Association represents the state's pork producers in the areas of promotion, research, education, and public policy. For more information on the Association or next year's tournament, visit www.mopork.com, or call 573-445-8375.

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