The 2004 National Market Hog Conference will be Nov. 27-28 at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, NV.
The opening forum focuses on education and solutions to national health standards and bioterrorism, the science of the stress gene, ractopamine and other feed additives, national animal identification and pork quality evaluation.
Participants will also give input on the design of Symbol III, depicting the ideal market hog, and address show management concerns including judge selection and educational youth programs.
To register, phone the National Swine Registry at (765) 463-3594 or e-mail
nsr@nationalswine.com.
There was a lot to be positive about in the pork industry the last week of October. I realize it is difficult to be optimistic when you are still losing $25 to $30/head. I also realize that positive news at this point could be as dangerous as it is welcome. But facts are facts, and we must recognize them.
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As I begin this week's column, I"m reminded of two different "flip side" statements that may help characterize the topic at hand. The first is the old Archie Campbell schtick - "That's good - no that’s bad," which I have used before. The second reflects President Truman's frustration with economists' incessant use of the qualifier - "on the other hand" - to introduce the contrary opinion on a given topic. President Truman once demanded in his usual colorful language: "Will someone please find me a *!&%$*?>
