Ryland Utlaut is a grain farmer who operates in partnership with his brother Fred in Saline and Lafayette counties in West Central Missouri.  He is currently the president of Mid Missouri Energy; a 100% farmer owned new generation ethanol cooperative located at Malta Bend, Missouri.

Mr. Utlaut has been an active participant in business and industry organizations.  He has served as President and Chairman of the National Corn Growers Association.  He has been appointed to several task forces and policy groups within the United States Department of Agriculture, including the Agriculture Policy Advisory Committee for Trade.  He was the only farmer appointed to EU-US Bio-Tech Consultative Forum which conducted meetings in the U. S.  and Belgium, trying to develop greater acceptance and understanding of bio-tech issues.

He has served as chairman of the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, and as Vice President of the Missouri Corn Growers.  He served as chairman of government policy for the National Corn Growers during the formation of the 1995 USDA Farm Bill.  He currently serves on advisory committees for both Democratic and Republican members of the U S Congress.

He received the University of Missouri Citation of Merit Award for excellence in community service, the same institution where he earned a B. S. in Agriculture Business.

He and his wife Joey are the parents of two children and live in Alma, Missouri.