Mike O'leary Named MSR&PC Director of the Year

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MANKATO, MN (01/15/2010)(readMedia)-- Mike O'Leary, soybean producer from Danvers, Minn., was recognized Monday during MN Soybean's Awards Luncheon at Ag Expo as the MSR&PC Director of the Year.

MSR&PC Chairman, Jim Willers, chose O'leary as the Director of the Year because of his dedication to helping struggling Minnesota livestock producers by initiating the U.S. Meat Export Federation's (USMEF) 2009 Pork Stimulus Package.

Both O'leary and Willers were unable to attend the luncheon, so comments were provided by council Vice Chairman Gene Stoel. During his speech, Stoel noted that it was "Mike's persistence and commitment to helping one of our largest soybean meal customers inspired our state soybean checkoff and others take action."

Minnesota's checkoff program initially provided $800,000 towards the project and was soon followed by investments from the Nebraska Soybean Board, South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council and the United Soybean Board. In the end, nearly $1.35 million will be used towards extensive promotions of U.S. pork in three key markets – Japan, South Korea and Mexico.

"Mike has always been supportive of a strong livestock industry in Minnesota since it is a much more profitable to export our soybeans through meat products than as whole soybeans," said Chairman Willers. "He is truly an advocate for soybean farmers and their profitability."

The Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council is made up of an elected board of 15 soybean producers from across the state. The mission of the council is to invest soybean checkoff dollars in well-defined research, marketing, education and commercialization programs designed to increase demand and thereby improve the profitability of Minnesota's soybean farmers.