Marlys Miller, Editor, Pork Magazine   |   Updated: January 19, 2012

At this year’s Iowa Pork Congress, set for Jan. 25-26, attendees will be able to select from a wide-range of educational and instructional opportunities. Along with seminars, training and certification sessions have been scheduled during the two-day show, which will take place at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.

The Iowa Pork Congress is open to all pork producers, allied business partners and others involved in the pork industry. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 25 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 26. On-site admission for the event is $10 per person, but it provides full access to all of the sessions as well as the trade show.

Featured on Jan. 25, will be Wes Jamison, animal welfare expert and Palm Beach Atlantic University communications and public relations professor. He will present the keynote address discussing animal welfare trends and public relations strategies for the pork industry.

The training and certification sessions will address the industry’s PQA Plus and TQA programs, as well as confinement-site manure-applicator training.

Here’s a complete schedule of what you can expect during the two days:

Wednesday, January 25

Seminars:

● Iowa Regulations & Nuisance Case Update - 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Eldon McAfee - Beving, Swanson & Forrest

● Diet Decisions for the $ and the Hog - 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
- Part I - Less obvious implications of using alternative ingredients in practical diets
Dr. John Patience - Iowa State University
- Part II - Feeding for pork quality: Impact of DDGs - 10:30 a.m. - Noon
Dr. Kenneth Prusa- Iowa State University

● Dreaming of a World without PRRS - 12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
- Part I - Evaluating regional projects and opportunities for PRRS elimination
Dr. Bob Morrison - University of Minnesota
- Part II - Proven practical strategies for PRRS-free herd
Dr. Jim Lowe - Carthage Veterinary Service, LTD.

● The Power of Activist Communications: Making Meaty Messages - Keynote Presentation – 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Dr. Wes Jamison - Palm Beach Atlantic University

●Riding the Roller Coaster: Economic Outlook - 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Dr. Steve Meyer - Paragon Economics, Inc.

Training Sessions:

● Pork Quality Assurance Plus Certification - 10 a.m. - Noon
Dave Stender - Iowa State University Extension Swine Specialist
● Transport Quality Assurance Certification - 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Mark Storlie - Iowa State University Extension Swine Specialist

Thursday, January 26

Seminars:

● Animal Well-Being Decisions for Modern Pork Production - 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
- Part I - Safe and Effective Animal Movement
Dr. Matt Ritter - Elanco Animal Health
- Part II - Euthanasia, Concern Reporting & ISU Research
Dr. Suzanne Millman- Iowa State University

● Your Investment at Work: National Organization Update - 10:30 a.m. - Noon
- Part I- Policy, regulations & trade
Neil Dierks – chief executive officer, National Pork Producers Council
- Part II- Pork Checkoff programs
Bill Winkelman – vice president of Producer & Industry Relations, National Pork Board

● Building Your Value-Added Market: Production Panel - 12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Jim Compart - Compart Duroc
Mark Lane - Niman Ranch
Dave Stender - Iowa State University Extension Swine Specialist

●Understanding Contracts and Liens - 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Eldon McAfee - Beving, Swanson & Forrest

Training Sessions:

● Confinement Site Manure Applicator Certification - 10 a.m. - Noon
Jeff Prier - Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Angela Rieck-Hinz - Iowa State University

All seminars and training sessions will take place on the lower level of Hy-Vee Hall at the Iowa Events Center. All of the seminars are funded by the National Pork Checkoff.

For more information, contact the Iowa Pork Producers Association at (515) 225-7675, (800) 372-7675 or click here. http://www.iowaporkcongress.org/.

 

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