Oct 15, 2003 12:00 PM,
by Joe Vansickle, Senior Editor (952) 851-4670; jvansickle@primediabusiness.com
The 2003 Illinois Swine Health and Management Conference is Dec. 3 at the University of Illinois Extension Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
The hog outlook for 2004, practical approaches to dealing with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) and ileitis, and assessing PRRS risks will be discussed.
Other talks will cover bioterrorism preparedness, artificial insemination skills for breeding personnel and strategies to manage swine influenza.
For program information or registration, contact Larry Firkins, DVM, by phone, (217) 333-2907; fax, (217) 333-4628; or e-mail, firkins@uiuc.edu.
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 $30/head. I also realize that positive news at this point could be as dangerous as it is welcome. But facts are facts, and we must recognize them.
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As I begin this week's column, I"m reminded of two different "flip side" statements that may help characterize the topic at hand. The first is the old Archie Campbell schtick - "That's good - no that’s bad," which I have used before. The second reflects President Truman's frustration with economists' incessant use of the qualifier - "on the other hand" - to introduce the contrary opinion on a given topic. President Truman once demanded in his usual colorful language: "Will someone please find me a *!&%$*?>
