Day-long sessions on animal health and feed price issues are scheduled for Feb. 19-23 across Iowa.

Sponsors are the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA), Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC) and Iowa State University Extension.

Morning sessions provide strategies to maximize profitability. Afternoon sessions address practical ways to optimize pig care.

Featured speaker will be well-known market analyst Glen Ring of Cedar Falls, IA, who will lead a discussion entitled, “What is the Situation of the Ag Industry and How Are Corn and Soybean Prices Affecting the Livestock Markets?”

Rodney “Butch” Baker, DVM, a senior clinician in Food Supply Veterinary Services at Iowa State University (ISU), will present two sessions. He will discuss “Managing PCVAD and Animal Health in Swine Systems” and “Walking Pens to Ensure Individual Pig Care.”

A local ISU field specialist will address the ideal market weight, and a regional swine veterinarian will discuss on-farm necropsy. Elanco Animal Health representatives will present a session on load-out assessment and handling stress during loading and transport.

Conference dates and locations are:

• Feb. 19, The Carrolltown Inn, Carroll;
• Feb. 20, Corporate Centre, Sioux Center;
• Marr Park Conservation Center, Ainsworth;
• Luigi’s Restaurant, Oelwein; and
• Dows Community Center, Dows.

Conference hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost to attend is $20 in advance or $30 at the door. Register by calling (800) 808-7675.

For more information, contact Ali Smith at the IPPA at (800) 372-7675 or asmith@iowapork.org or Colin Johnson at the IPIC at (800) 808-7675 or colinj@iastate.edu.