A series of regional pork conferences will be held at four locations in Iowa in early March to teach Iowa pork producers about pig health and growth numbers, and provide updates on ventilation management and disease research projects.
The annual series on March 8-11 is cosponsored by the Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC), Iowa Pork Producers Association and Iowa State University (ISU) Extension.
The conference will appeal to owners and operators, but also offer valuable information to veterinarians, swine industry stakeholders, production employees and contract growers, says IPIC Extension program specialist Colin Johnson.
James McKean, ISU Extension swine veterinarian and IPIC associate director, will address “PRRS Control Strategies and Regional Projects” and “Pig Production after the Removal of Growth Promotion Drugs.”
“Jim’s presentation on PRRS will include tools to reduce impacts, eliminate the virus and minimize opportunities for reinfection,” Johnson says. “He’ll also talk about Draft Compliance Policy Guide 209 and potential impacts on pork production, and offer suggestions and strategies for reducing impacts of losing growth promotants.”
Ron Ketchum of Swine Management Services, Columbus, NE, and a regular contributor to National Hog Farmer’s Weekly Preview online newsletter, will speak on “Benchmarking Sows and the Postweaned Pig.”
Local ISU Extension swine program specialists will present timely information on ventilation management and the scheduling of a ventilation trailer for on-site training workshops.
Conference sessions run from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is no cost for those preregistered at least two business days prior to each location date. Walk-in registration is $5 per person, payable at the door.
Program dates and locations are:
More information is available on the IPIC Web site at www.ipic.iastate.edu/events.html. To preregister, call IPPA at (800) 372-7675 or (515) 225-7675.