The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) will hold the 2013 Iowa Pork Congress Jan. 23 and 24 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.

The nation’s largest winter swine trade show and conference will be held in Hy-Vee Hall at the Iowa Events Center. Pork Congress hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 23 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 24. The Iowa Pork Foundation’s annual Kickoff Reception and Auction will be held at Hy-Vee Hall on Jan. 22 and the IPPA Youth Swine Judging Contest will be held in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Jan. 24.

“Pork Congress encompasses every aspect of the pork industry and I encourage anyone involved in pork production to make plans to attend,” says IPPA President Bill Tentinger, a producer from Le Mars. “The trade show, seminars, social functions, youth activities and networking opportunities always attract thousands of people from around the Midwest and we’re hoping for another great turnout this year.”

Nearly 300 companies will exhibit in Hy-Vee Hall and several will be introducing new products. IPPA will welcome attendees to the Pork Information Plaza where guests can visit with producer leaders and representatives from the National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council and other affiliated organizations.

A wide range of seminars will be held at no additional charge. Topics include animal health, sow housing, pit foaming and swine reproduction. Attendees can get updates on regulations and nuisance cases, public policy and an industry economic outlook.

David Kohl from Virginia Tech University will address transition management in the keynote presentation. Producers can obtain or renew their Pork Quality Assurance Plus and Transport Quality Assurance certifications, and a certification session for confinement site manure applicators is being offered.

“We understand the importance of continuing education and strive to give producers the information that will allow them to be more successful,” says IPPA Iowa Pork Congress Committee Chairman Derrick Sleezer, a pork producer from Cherokee. “We have a good mix of seminars and some of the best presenters available for this year’s show.”

Registration

Registration is currently open for the 2013 Iowa Pork Congress.

The pre-registration deadline is Jan. 10, 2013, and IPPA members can attend the trade show and conference at no cost by registering early. Interested persons can register now at www.iowaporkcongress.orgor by using the form in the November issue of the Iowa Pork Producer magazine.

IPPA members can attend at no charge by registering online or by completing and submitting the form by the deadline. Non-IPPA members can save $5 off of the normal $10 admission cost by registering online by the deadline. Registrations will be accepted after the deadline through each day of the show, but the cost will be $10.

Those who pre-register can avoid lines and quickly pick up their pre-printed name badge and credentials at the pre-registration desk the day of the show.

For more information, contact IPPA at (800) 372-7675 or visit www.iowaporkcongress.org.