By Jason Ross and Kristin Olsen
The 2019 Iowa Swine Day will offer pork producers an agenda of expert speakers who will address current issues affecting the industry. Topics will include the status of and response to African Swine Fever, what makes a biosecurity program successful, improving company culture, precision pork production and feeding the high-producing sow. The event will be hosted by the Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University, Ames, on June 27.
“Iowa Swine Day is a great opportunity to learn, network and build relationships within the swine industry,” said Jason Ross, Iowa Swine Day committee chair. “The topics being discussed at this year’s event are a result of direct input from pork producers who let us know what topics are important to them.”
The morning session will feature Dr. Frank Mitloehner from the University of California-Davis, who will explore how improvements in livestock production efficiencies, genetics, nutrition and veterinary care can help meet the increasing demand for animal protein as the world’s population grows, without depleting natural resources.
Dr. Wes Jamison from Palm Beach Atlantic University will share how “Gen Z” consumers influence the pork industry, and Troy Van Hauen of Accelerated Performance Technicians will present a mini-workshop on how to improve your company’s culture by developing and exemplifying a standard of leadership principles.
The afternoon will be structured into four concurrent breakout sessions with 16 presentations to choose from. Some of the afternoon topics include nutrition for high-producing sows, precision pork production technologies, and causes and consequences of leaky gut. One afternoon session will be focused on foreign animal disease preparation, including an update on African Swine Fever worldwide from Dr. David Casey of PIC in China.
“This year we are excited to offer a new breakout session dedicated to practical, barn level management topics,” said Iowa Swine Day coordinator Kristin Olsen. "This new session is designed for growers – individuals who finish pigs and work in barns on a daily basis. We hope attendees will leave Iowa Swine Day with a few strategies they can take home that day to help improve their operations."
The day will finish with a free pork barbecue in the Iowa State Center courtyard, sponsored by TechMix, AB Vista and Lynch Livestock.
Registration is $65 and includes lunch and refreshments. Early registration ends midnight, June 14. Late or on-site registration is $90. Registration is free for students before the early registration deadline, and is $45 after the deadline has passed. Iowa Swine Day will be held at the Scheman Building, Iowa State Center, 1805 Center Drive, Ames. The full program, directions and online registration are available on the
Iowa Swine Day conference website.
Iowa Swine Day is hosted by Iowa Pork Industry Center in collaboration with the ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Iowa Pork Producers Association.