CENTERTOWN, Missouri - March 13, 2011 - Derry Brownfield, one of the Midwest’s best know farm broadcasters, has died.

Born in 1932, Derry Brownfield died in his home early Saturday from an apparent heart attack. Derry was known for his informative, witty and colorful delivery of the news on his radio show, the Derry Brownfield Show.

Even at the age of 79, Derry could still saddle up and ride a horse.

Derry first entered the world of broadcasting when he and a friend established the Brownfield Network in 1972. In 1994, he established his own radio show, the Derry Brownfield Show. In 1997, Learfield Communications purchased the Brownfield Network but Derry remained on the air until 2008, when a dispute with major advertiser Monsanto resulted in cancellation of his show. Never one to give up, Derry continued broadcasting his show via webcast.

In 1949, at the age of 16, Derry earned his FFA American Farmer degree. He later attended Missouri University, earning both BA and MS degrees. After graduating from MU, he taught Vo Ag for several years before working for the Missouri Department of Agriculture as a marketing specialist. He also served as director of the Kansas City Livestock Foundation.

Over the years, Derry grew his family beef operation to 200 head of purebred Charolais cows on 1,000 acres of Missouri pasture.

Long an advocate for family based agriculture and a harsh critic of its enemies, Derry Brownfield will be missed across Missouri and the entire nation.