DES MOINES - Pork producers should make plans now to attend the Pork Checkoff'sProducer Opportunity for Revenue and Knowledge (PORK) Academy sessions on Wednesday, June 4, and Thursday, June 5, during World Pork Expo, June 4-6, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.
"PORK Academy offers an outstanding lineup of leading experts who will address issues facing producers today," said David Ray, chair of the Checkoff's Producer and State Services Committee and a pork producer from Edenton, N.C. "These sessions will provide attendees with information to help operate their farms more effectively and to stay current on industry trends and challenges."
2014 PORK Academy seminar topics include:
Wednesday, June 4:
Safe Pig Handling
Industry Productivity Analysis
The Importance of Educating Others About Pork Production
Reproduction Decision Tree
World Market Economics and the Importance of Trade
Thursday, June 5:
PEDV Research Update
PEDV - Lessons Learned and Next Steps
Sustainability in Pork Productions - People, Planet, Pigs
Pain Management
Safe Pig Handling
"Producers won't want to miss the Business Seminar Luncheon, which will now be located in the Pork Checkoff hospitality tent, sponsored by the Pork Checkoff, featuring a weather outlook from Elwynn Taylor of Iowa State University and an economic outlook from Steve Meyer of Paragon Economics. The popular and entertaining speakers always draw a packed crowd," Ray adds.
For more information on PORK Academy and other Pork Checkoff-sponsored events at World Pork Expo, visit www.pork.org/wpx, or call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675.
About the National Pork Board
The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. Importers of pork products contribute a like amount, based on a formula. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health, pork safety and environmental management. For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675 or check the Internet at www.pork.org.
WEDNESDAY- JUNE 4, 2014
Varied Industries Bldg. Room C
Moderator: Bryn Jensson, National Pork Board
9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Safe Pig Handling
Bill Winkelman, National Pork Board
The Checkoff's new Safe Pig Handling Tool was designed to reinforce fundamental safety concepts while depicting real-life, specific situations encountered in daily pork production. This resource was designed to be used for one-on-one meetings, small groups and self-study training sessions.
Moderator: Chris Hostetler, National Pork Board
10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Industry Productivity Analysis
Ken Stalder, Iowa State University
This session will provide current data collection results, changes in production traits over time, and benchmarking key productive traits.
Moderator: Lee Johnston, University of Minnesota
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
SowBridge/PorkBridge Session
Importance of Educating Others about Pork Production
Jon Hoek, Belstra Milling Company
This session will provide what Belstra Milling has learned in educating the public about pork production through the Fair Oaks Experience.
Moderator: Chelsey Branderhorst, U.S. Pork Center of Excellence
1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Reproductive Decision Tree
Don Levis, Levis Worldwide Swine Consultancy
The National Swine Production Guide allows producers to address challenges in the breeding barn by using a decision tree to reveal information about the problem and suggest corrective changes in management practices.
Moderator: Becca Hendricks, National Pork Board
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
World Market Economics and the Importance of Trade
Dermot Hayes - Iowa State University
U.S. pork export markets, insight into world economics and the opportunity for global trade.
THURSDAY- JUNE 5, 2014
Varied Industries Bldg. Room C
Moderator: To be determined
9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
PEDV Research Update
Lisa Becton, National Pork Board
This session will provide the most current research information for PEDV.
Moderator: Lisa Becton, National Pork Board
10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
PEDV - Lessons Learned & Next Steps
Harry Snelson, AASV
Liz Wagstrom, National Pork Producers Council
This session will provide the most up-to-date information on the current status of PEDV in the U.S., including lessons learned and what's next.
Moderator: Allan Stokes, National Pork Board
11:15 p.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sustainability in Pork Production - Pigs, Planet, People
Jamie Burr, Tyson Fresh Meats
An update on development of a pork industry sustainability framework and producer tools will be presented.
Moderator: Sherrie Webb, National Pork Board
1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Pain Management
Dr. Pairis-Garcia, Iowa State University
Dr. Anna Johnson Butters, Iowa State University
This session will define pain and how it can be measured in pigs, including the legal parameters for using pharmaceuticals and provide research on the effectiveness of products that reduce or eliminate pain associated with tail docking and castration.
Moderator: Bryn Jensson, National Pork Board
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Safe Pig Handling
Bill Winkelman, National Pork Board
The Pork Checkoff's new Safe Pig Handling Tool was designed to reinforce fundamental safety concepts while depicting real-life, specific situations encountered in daily pork production. This resource was designed to be used for one-on-one meetings, small groups and self-study training sessions.
Source: Porkcheckoff