A workshop to help pork producers understand proper use of swine building ventilation equipment has been set for July 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Borlaug Learning Center near Nashua, IA.

The workshop, coordinated by Iowa State University Extension and the Iowa Pork Industry Center, involves classroom and hands-on demonstrations. Smithfield Foods provided funding to cover speakers and program materials.

Classroom sessions will teach basic ventilation principles for moisture control and heat relief, motor curve characteristics for variable speed fans, and how to solve common ventilation problems and mistakes.

The hands-on demonstrations will include experiences setting fan controllers, adjusting inlets, static pressure effects, dirty fan effects and other real-life situations. Demonstrations will be conducted in a ventilation trailer equipped with single speed and variable speed fans, a variety of inlets and controllers. The trailer is a unique educational tool funded by Pork Checkoff and developed by the land grant universities at Iowa State, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota State.

Cost of the workshop is $7/person to include lunch. Participants receive a course notebook with handouts. Attendance is limited to 28. Preregistration is required and will be available until the day before the workshop.

For more information or to preregister, contact Mark Storlie at (563) 425-3331 or e-mail [email protected].