Sandidge Carries on Strong Tradition

Missouri Master Farmer Brent Sandidge continues his family farm legacy of raising quality pork and grain.

Published on: Jul 9, 2010

During our travels to the farms of the Master Farmers, we observed the best in farm management and modern crop and livestock production. In our special slide show this month, Missouri Ruralist invites you to take a tour of Ham Hill Farms, Marshall, home of Missouri Master Farmer Brent Sandidge and his family. Brent takes pride in raising quality pork and grain products. He credits his parent’s strong tradition of leadership and innovation, along with his team of 24 employees, for his family farm’s success today.

Brent Sandidge, Marshall, works to continue his family's legacy of producing high quality pork and grain products. Brent is manager of Ham Hill Farms. He comes from a Saline County farm family with a strong tradition of innovation and leadership. His parents were Gerald "Jiggs" and Shirley Sandidge.
Brent took over management of Ham Hill Farms in 1985. He has expanded the breeding herd to more than 3,000 sows, and the row crop operation includes more than 5,000 acres in Saline County.
To keep on top of swine production and health, Brent hires a nutritional consultant as well as veterinary consultant. Production continues to improve, with sows producing more than 22 weaned pigs per year.
Ham Hill Farms recently renovated its feed mill to handle extra feed production for the swine units and to improve the mill's efficiency.
Brent and his staff work every day to protect water and air quality. Ham Hill Farms is environmentally certified by the National Pork Board. All manure is injected into crop or pasture fields by using a drag-hose system.
Soybeans are harvested each fall, then strategically marketed at the same time that soybean meal is bough for swine feed. Brent watches the relationship between the price of 33.3 bushels of soybeans and a ton of soybean meal.
The fertile cropland of Saline County produces corn, soybeans and wheat. Brent rents his crop ground surrounding his swine units to two different operators. They sell back their share of the grain crop to Ham Hill Farms.
Brent's grandfather started the family farm in 1921, and his father, Jiggs, took over the operation at the age of 18. His mom, Shirley, kept the farm records. Brent and his wife, Connie, realize the importance of nurturing their values, and passing those along to their son, Mason.