PORK Academy Seminars Offered at World Pork Expo

PORK Academy seminars run June 8 and 9 during World Pork Expo, sponsored by the Pork Checkoff, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Expo continues through noon on June 10.

Producers Opportunity for Revenue and Knowledge (PORK) Academy is a series of seminars designed to educate pork producers about current industry challenges in a way that the information can be applied in their own operations.

This year’s seminars cover nutrition labeling, carbon footprint, finance, herd health and market outlooks.

“All producers attending World Pork Expo are welcome to join us for the PORK Academy seminars,” says Mary Langhorst, chair of the Pork Checkoff’s Producer and State Services Committee. “These seminars are a great way to get accurate information in areas that are vital to our operations.”

All PORK Academy sessions are in the Varied Industries Building, Room C, including a business seminar luncheon on the upper level, as follows:
June 8

• 9:15-10 a.m. – Nutrition Labeling and Temperature Data, Betsy Booren, American Meat Institute and Steve Larsen, National Pork Board.
• 10:15-11 a.m. – Let’s Clear the Air, Randy Spronk, Edgerton, MN.
• 11:15-noon – PRRS Virus – Eliminate and Control, Bob Morrison, DVM, University of Minnesota.
• Noon-2:30 p.m. – Business Seminar (lunch provided), Food, Technology and Choice, Rob Aukerman, president of U.S. Operations, Elanco Animal Health; Economic Outlook, Steve Meyer, Paragon Economics.
• 1:30-2:15 p.m. – Euthanasia – New Tools for Training, Sherrie Niekamp, National Pork Board and Suzanne Millman, DVM, Iowa State University.
• 2:30-3:15 p.m. – Feed Costs and Efficiencies, Joel DeRouchey, Kansas State University.

June 9

• 9:15-10 a.m. – Putting U.S. Pork on the World’s Table, Danita Rodibaugh, vice chairman of the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
• 10:15-11 a.m. – How to Protect Your Farm, Kent Mowrer, Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers and Dave Struthers, Struthers Farm, Inc.
• 11:15 a.m. – noon – Let’s Clear the Air, Randy Spronk, Edgerton, MN.
• Noon-2:30 p.m. – Business Seminar (lunch provided), Food, Technology and Choice, Rob Aukerman, president of U.S. Operations-Elanco Animal Health; Economic Outlook, Steve Meyer, Paragon Economics.
• 1:30-2:15 p.m. – Using the Crush Margin to Manage Profits Rather than Price, Shane Ellis, Iowa State University.
• 2:30-3:15 p.m. – Feed Costs and Efficiencies, Joel DeRouchey, Kansas State University.

“The seminars are not only designed to provide producers with information they can use on the farm, but by hosting these seminars during World Pork Expo, it gives producers time to explore other opportunities at Expo,” Langhorst says.

Besides PORK Academy, Pork Checkoff is sponsoring other activities at World Pork Expo. Pork producers are invited to visit the Pork Checkoff hospitality tent outside the northwest corner of the Varied Industries Building to learn more about the new Pork. Be Inspired campaign. National Pork Board members and staff will be serving breakfast burritos in the morning, showcasing new foodservice and retail products and visiting with producers throughout the day. Producers can visit the Pork Checkoff booth inside the Varied Industries Building to learn how the Checkoff is supporting producers. Checkoff staff will be serving breakfast and lunch to exhibitors and visitors to the Swine Barn on Thursday, June 9 and Friday, June 10.

For information about PORK Academy, go to www.pork.org or contact Sharlotte Peterson, speterson@pork.org or (515) 223-2600.