By TIM ALEXANDER

Illinois Correspondent

ALBION, Ind. — The president of an Albion farm known for its inroads into swine  genetics and barn construction said she is looking forward to the company’s recently announced partnership with North America’s fourth-largest pork production company.

The agreement, announced in dual news releases last week, brings together Albion-based Whiteshire Hamroc and The Maschhoffs, a Carlyle, Ill., company which boasts more than 500 independent hog production partners in nine states.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to bring these two family farming operations together and capitalize on each other’s strengths,” said Rebecca Schroeder, Whiteshire Hamroc president. “We are excited about the synergy involved, and we are looking forward to it.”

Under the agreement, The Maschhoffs’ technical operations group will work cooperatively with Whiteshire Hamroc to produce genetic animals for further multiplication within The Maschhoffs’ system.

“(The agreement) revolves mainly around pig production and swine genetics. As it makes sense for both of us, we will continue to operate in providing pigs for medical devices and research, as long as these activities do not detract from our main focus on producing pork and genetics for the world,” Schroeder explained.

The Indiana company plans to grow its production within its Noble County base region through the partnership, though specifics of the growth plan were not immediately available, according to Schroeder.

“There is nothing concrete at this point, but as opportunities present themselves and make sense for us, we will be happy to be able to provide jobs and production opportunities in agriculture here in the area that we operate out of,” she explained.

Whiteshire Hamroc CEO Dr. Mike Lemmon noted the strategic partnership represents more than a year of planning and preparation between the Maschhoff and Lemmon families, who have been acquainted for years. He said the agreement will leverage their combined heritages in production agriculture and the best attributes of both companies.

“The Maschhoffs and Whiteshire Hamroc partnership will enhance our ability to support a fast-moving swine industry and, at the same time, provide expanded opportunities for our community,” he said.

Whiteshire Hamroc is well known for its vertical ventilation “Air Works” livestock barn design. Though this aspect of the company’s business is not directly related to the partnership agreement with The Maschhoffs, officials hope the relationship will provide greater exposure for the patented barn design.

“This could certainly open some doors for exposing some new producers to our vertical ventilation system that maybe wouldn’t be otherwise,” said Schroeder.

Farming in north-central Indiana for more than 100 years, the Lemmon family diversified into swine production and ultimately founded Whiteshire Hamroc. Building on a heritage of innovation, the Lemmons’ farming operation has grown to include 3,000 acres of sustainable crop production and nutrient-rich manure, swine genetics, construction, and medicine.

Their staff is certified in Pork Quality Assurance Plus best practices for swine management, and operate according to We Care Ethical Principles.

The Maschhoffs have roots dating back to 1851 in southern Illinois, with their Carlyle headquarters located just up the road from their current family farm. There, since the 1930s, the family grew corn and wheat before beginning construction in 1979 on a project that boosted their sow herd from 150 to 700.

After expanding the herd further in the 1980s, brothers Ken and Dave Maschhoff eventually signed their first production partner in 1996. In 2005, the brothers made a massive leap in sow herd size with the purchase of Land O’ Lakes’ swine assets, which increased their stock to around 110,000 head.

More recent acquisitions throughout the past decade have brought the size of The Maschhoffs’ herd to more than 200,000 sows. Though the company has grown to become one of the largest swine production businesses in North America, family values remain embedded in its culture.

Dave and Karen Maschhoff, along with Ken and Julie Maschhoff, continue as sole owners of the company. “This (agreement) is a great opportunity for two well-respected families to work cooperatively toward future success within the swine industry,” said Dr. Bradley Wolter, president of The Maschhoffs.