Nebraska egg farmer voted Midwest Poultry Federation president

The Midwest Poultry Federation recently elected its officers. Pictured, from left, are Dr. Darrin Karcher, Secretary-Treasurer; Kim Reis, 1st Vice President; Allen Behl, Past President; and William Claybaugh, President. (Not pictured: Ben Thompson, 2nd Vice President).

William Claybaugh, an egg farmer from Carroll, Neb., has been named the 2013-14 President of Midwest Poultry Federation. Claybaugh represents the Nebraska Egg Council on the federation's Board of Directors.
Claybaugh, owner/operator of TWJ Farms/Nebraska Eggs Ltd., replaces outgoing president Allen Behl of Behl Turkeys Farms, Watertown, Wisc. Behl represents the Wisconsin Poultry and Egg Industries Association on the board; he will assume the post of past president.
"I am honored to lead Midwest Poultry Federation into the coming year," said Claybaugh. "Our 2013 convention featured increased attendance and a continued expansion of our exhibit space so I am excited to capitalize on the enthusiasm and momentum we felt this year and build upon our successes for the 2014 convention."
Board elections were held during the 2013 MPF Convention, March 12-14, in Saint Paul, Minn. Other officers were elected during this same time.
Kim Reis, Ellsworth Turkeys of Ellsworth, Iowa, was elected First Vice President of the board. Reis represents the Iowa Turkey Federation on the Board.
Ben Thompson, Pearl Valley Eggs of Pearl City, Ill., was elected Second Vice President of the board. Thompson represents the Illinois Poultry Industries on the board.
Dr. Darrin Karcher, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich., was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the board. Karcher represents Michigan Allied Poultry Industries on the board.
Also at the March 12 MPF Board meeting, Bruce Eastlund of ILC Resources was re-elected to his second term as an Allied Director on the Board. ILC Resources is a long-time exhibitor at the convention; Eastlund is one of three Allied Directors who represent all exhibitors on the board.
Attendance at the 2013 Midwest Poultry Federation Convention topped out at 2,150 this year - and increase over last year and the highest it's been in over two decades. The show continued its expansion into two exhibit halls with 393 booths (226 exhibiting companies) as well as educational workshops with over 40 speakers from across the world.
This steady increase in exhibitors and booth space over the past 5 years has merited the distinction for the federation as one of the "50 Fastest Growing Trade Shows" in the U.S. by Trade Show Magazine. This award will be presented at a special ceremony in May in Chicago.
The 43^rd annual Midwest Poultry Federation Convention will be held March 18-20, 2014 at Saint Paul RiverCentre in Saint Paul, Minn. The show will feature a Pre-Show Nutrition Symposium and Welcome Reception on March 18 and exhibits and educational sessions on March 19-20.
As a nonprofit organization, all of MPF's revenue generated (after expenses are paid) from the convention goes back to its member organizations and to support poultry programs.