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KIRKSVILLE, MO -- The Missouri Livestock Symposium connects agricultural producers and businesses from across the state. 

This year's symposium also features guest speakers from as far away as New York and Wyoming. We put t his program on to try to educate people. 

“We bring speakers in here from all over the U.S. from coast to coast.  We try to bring in speakers that are not normal people and here close.  A lot of people can hear people that are around here, but we try to bring in speakers that are not around really close,” said Gary Mathes.  Mathes is the chair of the Symposium Committee and has been a part of the event for over a decade.

There are lots of conventions across the state devoted specifically to equine or beef production.  What sets this event apart is the combination of many types of producers in the same place.

“The Kirksville Livestock Symposium is not like a lot of the shows we go to…The Kirksville Symposium has such a broader appeal.  You know, you might sit down accross the table at lunch from somebody who raises meat goats, you might talk to somebody in dairy, you might talk to somebody in beef production,” explained Ken McNabb.  McNabb came all the way from Cody, Wyo. to discuss equine issues.

 The Livestock Symposium is more than just a trade show.  It's a place where producers can learn more about techniques that will help them in their production, and where consumers can learn more about the source of their food.

Emily Costello is the equine facilitator at Truman State University.  She told KTVO about the rift between agricultural producers and consumers.

“Agriculture isn't necessarily the flashiest profession.  It's a little bit nity, it's a little bit dirty.  You've got to work outside in the bad weather and everything like that, she explained.

Joanna Russell, a student at Truman, added that the division between rural and urban populations is partly to blame.

If you look at the different population centers and everything a lot of people in the city don't know a lot about agriculture. Some people really do think their meat comes from the grocery store,” she said.

Consumer education was a big part of this year's Symposium; an issue which producers say will have a profound effect on the future of agriculture. 

“Well, this is my second trip to Kirksville, so I had a little better inkling of what was coming this time, but even then I was still surprised at the caliber of the speakers, and the quality of information.  And then, like you said, it's good to be a producer, but you can produce your goal and if it doesn't match the consumer, you're not a business producer,” said Ken McNabb.

McNabb and the other speakers at the conference agreed.  The educational experiences at the Missouri Livestock Symposium help bridge the gap between producers and consumers.