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Livestock Legacy The Midwest Cattleman · October 22, 2020 · P2

Everett Forkner to be inducted into prestigious Saddle & Sirloin Portrait Gallery

By Reagan Brown

As a student in the then-Col- to the livestock industry.” Only “It’s the best decision I made, that time. He is a family farmer
lege of Agriculture at the Uni- one individual is selected to the next to marrying my wife,” For- – Forkner Farms in Richards,
versity of Missouri in the late gallery each year. kner said. Mo., consists of a grain farm-
‘50s and early ‘60s, Everett Growing up on a farm in Forkner said his involve- ing base of 1,700 acres, a swine
Forkner was able to attend an southwest Missouri, a young ment in campus agricultural breeding business known as
international competition in Everett Forkner was already organizations, in particular TRULINE® Genetics, and a
Chicago as part of the Mizzou working and studying hard. In joining the livestock judging premium pork production and
livestock judging team. There fact, he and his cousin claimed team, gave him the opportunity marketing business known as
he saw the Saddle & Sirloin the top two spots in their grad- to travel and spend time with Truline Premium Pork™. For-
portrait gallery for the first uating class – of 12! However, others in the livestock industry, kner has sold TRULINE® Ge-
time. not knowing too many people thus learning from those indus- netics swine stock to 48 states
“I was really impressed,” who had graduated from more try leaders. and 25 foreign countries and is
Forkner said of seeing the great advanced studies, with the ex- When Forkner graduated regularly asked to join trade
line of portraits. “Never in my ception of a few Extension per- from the University of Missou- missions to other countries,
wildest imagination would I sonnel, he was debating his ri with his bachelor’s degree in participating in two to three
have ever thought that my por- path to pursue higher educa- 1961, CAFNR was just known each year.
trait could be hung with that tion at the University of Mis- as the College of Agriculture at He is no stranger to nota-
group of people.” souri. ble accomplishments during
In November, Forkner will and after his CAFNR career.
join those giants of the livestock In 1969, Forkner was named
industry, as the 2020 inductee Missouri Livestock Person of
to the gallery. the Year by the MU Block and
Induction into the Saddle & Bridle Club – only eight years
Sirloin portrait gallery is an after his graduation – and was
honor full of history and tradi- again chosen to receive this
tion. The portrait gallery was honor in 2015. He was the first
founded in 1903, originally es- Animal Sciences alumnus at
tablished in Chicago’s Union the University of Missouri to
Stock Yards where the Inter- receive a Column Award – the
national Livestock Exposition college’s highest honor. Forkner
resided. In order to even be has served as a CAFNR Execu-
nominated, the individual must tive-in-Residence. He provided
have “made truly significant
and outstanding contributions Forkner is pictured here with his family. Photo courtesy Everett Forkner. continued on page 10