(CLIVE, Iowa) — The Iowa Pork Producers Association has teamed up with the Iowa Pork Industry Center and the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach swine specialists to host regional conferences February 25-28.
All sessions are hosted from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Conference dates and locations are as follows:
- Monday, Feb. 25 – Carroll, Carroll County Extension Office
- Tuesday, Feb. 26 – Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College, Building A, room 119
- Wednesday, Feb. 27 – Nashua, Borlaug Learning Center
- Thursday, Feb. 28 – Iowa City, Johnson County Extension Office
Conferences are free for those who pre-register or $5 at the door. Individuals can pre-register by calling IPPA at (800) 372-7675 or sending an e-mail to schristensen@iowapork.org.
“We have once again scheduled a lineup of topics and presenters with valuable industry updates and practical farm applications,” said Tyler Bettin, IPPA producer education director.
Prompt and accurate diagnostics addressing disease challenges affecting our current pork production systems can have a drastic impact on pig health and overall productivity. Diagnosis of disease may be influenced by multiple factors that include appropriate sample collection, sample quality and proper submission. Dr. Phil Gauger will share knowledge gained through experiences as a veterinary diagnostician at the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory that will help make diagnosing disease on your farm practical and more effective. Particular focus will be given to diagnostic considerations in post-weaning enteric disease detection, oral fluid collection and using oral fluids as a diagnostic tool.
Profit outlooks for livestock producers have been on rocky ground as a tremendous start to the 2012 growing season made way for drought through the summer months. The Iowa Pork Regional Conferences will welcome Iowa State University’s newest extension livestock economist, Dr. Lee Schulz, to discuss what profit opportunity may be available for pork producers in 2013 and share risk management resources available through ISU.
Maximizing feed efficiency and making sound feed management decisions are at the forefront of issues impacting profitability. Extension swine specialists will be on hand to discuss ways to stretch corn inventory, optimize selling weights, manage feed system components and determine your pig’s diet relationship to manure value and composition.
ISU swine specialists also will offer free PQA Plus training prior to each conference. Training will be hosted from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at each conference location. Contact Tyler Bettin at (800) 372-7675 or tbettin@iowapork.org for more information or to pre-register.
“We are looking forward to another round of sessions that can enhance decision making for all producers,” Bettin said. “We encourage anyone with a genuine interest in pork production to attend these conferences.”
2013 Regional Conferences Brochure
Source: Iowa Pork