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The leaders of several agricultural organizations recently gathered in Fayette County for the launch of a media campaign aimed at heightening awareness about the state's livestock and poultry industry.

The Ohio Livestock Coalition (OLC) is leading the campaign, which targets grain farmers and rural residents in northwest and southwest Ohio through ads placed in a variety of media including billboards, radio and print.

The ads show how livestock farmers are similar to grain farmers and other rural residents and carry the message "Ohio needs livestock and poultry farmers."

"While the contributions of many industries to our state's economy are well publicized, it's time to recognize what Ohio's livestock and poultry farmers bring to our dinner tables, as well as our wallets, every day," said David White, OLC executive director. He noted that money generated by livestock operations does not start and end on the farm.

The campaign is being supported by the Ohio Soybean Council and other farm and commodity organizations that belong to OLC, including OFBF.

The project follows a survey that indicated many grain farmers and rural residents were not supportive of new or expanding livestock operations. A follow-up survey will be sent out at the end of the campaign to determine its success, White said.

White pointed out that the livestock and poultry sector spends $120 million for feed and hay grown by other Ohio farmers, not including feed raised by farmers and kept to feed their own animals. He added that the state's livestock and poultry industry accounts for more than $8 billion in annual economic output while supporting more than 47,000 jobs.

He hopes that this campaign will be a starting point and will be expanded in coming years. He said the future of Ohio's economy likely rests on the growth and vitality of the agriculture industry's ability to open new markets for U.S. corn and soybean meal.

"Ohio needs farms of all sizes, big as well as small and medium, to support its growing livestock and poultry industry, as well as corn and soybean farmers," he said.