MSU Extension and Montana Pork Producers Council host April 29 conference for small pork producers

Mar 13, 2023

Montana State University Extension and the Montana Pork Producers Council will host a conference for small pork producers on Saturday, April 29, at Montana ExpoPark’s Family Living Center in Great Falls.

The conference, which will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., is an opportunity for pork producers, 4-H members, FFA members and others to learn about swine genetics, pork production, herd health and pork recipes. Local chefs will prepare pork dishes for attendees after a morning of learning and education.

Featured speakers include Randy Shipley, owner of Shipley Swine Genetics and Shipley Genetics Boar Studs in Ohio; and veterinarian Anna Forseth, director of animal health with the National Pork Producers Council.

Registration, which includes lunch, is $40 per attendee and requested by April 19. To register and for more information, call MSU Extension in Cascade County at 406-454-6980 or email Rose Malisani, MSU Extension agriculture agent in Cascade County

Source : Swine Web

Video: Advancing Swine Disease Traceability: USDA's No-Cost RFID Tag Program for Market Channels

On-demand webinar, hosted by the Meat Institute, experts from the USDA, National Pork Board (NPB) and Merck Animal Health introduced the no-cost 840 RFID tag program—a five-year initiative supported through African swine fever (ASF) preparedness efforts. Beginning in Fall 2025, eligible sow producers, exhibition swine owners and State Animal Health Officials can order USDA-funded RFID tags through Merck A2025-10_nimal Health.

NPB staff also highlighted an additional initiative, funded by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services through NPB, that helps reduce the cost of transitioning to RFID tags across the swine industry and strengthens national traceability efforts.

Topics Covered:

•USDA’s RFID tag initiative background and current traceability practices

•How to access and order no-cost 840 RFID tags

•Equipment support for tag readers and panels

•Implementation timelines for market and cull sow channels How RFID improves ASF preparedness an