Understanding the Pork Industry Profitability Challenge – Lenders Education, is the subject of a July 17 meeting at the Minnesota Soybean Office in Mankato, MN.

The meeting is co-sponsored by the National Pork Board (NPB), Minnesota Pork Board and the National Pork Producers Council. Register by calling the NPB at (800) 456-7675, faxing (515) 223-2646 or e-mailing Sharlotte Peterson at speterson@pork.org. The program runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mike Laughery, National Pork Board, will outline a short- and long-term view of what lies ahead for the pork industry.

Brian Buhr, University of Minnesota, will address “Something’s Got to Give,” looking at how grain and soybean meal prices have risen into uncharted territory – and hog futures are following.

John Green, National Pork Board, “The Glass is Half Full,” will explain how the demand for pork domestically and abroad is strong and growing, and what this can mean for U.S. pork producers in 2009 and beyond.

Following lunch, Tony Clark of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group will focus on Risk Management. He will discuss how producers can use futures and options for risk management to lock in production price levels and input costs by hedging.

Exit Responsibilities is the topic of Wayne Anderson, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, who will detail rules that apply to vacated livestock facilities. He will share some real examples of exit challenges and discuss the accountability of the producer and lender when a livestock facility is vacated.

Perry Aasness of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) will present information on the FSA Loan Program.