Swine health, a swine market outlook and barn safety will be three of the subjects discussed at the 2017 Iowa Pork Regional Conferences.
The Iowa Pork Producers Association, the Iowa Pork Industry Center and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach swine specialists will host the meetings at four Iowa locations Feb. 20-22 and Feb. 24.
All sessions are hosted from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Conference dates and locations are as follows:
- Monday, Feb. 20 – Orange City, Sioux County Extension Office
- Tuesday, Feb. 21 – Carroll, Carroll County Extension Office
- Wednesday, Feb. 22 – Washington, Washington County Extension Office
- Friday, Feb. 24 – Nashua, Borlaug Learning Center
“It’s imperative that our producers are equipped with valuable resources for current industry topics,” said IPPA Producer Education Director Drew Mogler. “This year’s regional conferences will provide worthwhile information for anyone involved in the day-to-day management of pork production.”
The following presentations will be delivered at each location:
Swine Health Update
Dr. Chris Rademacher
Extension Swine Veterinarian – Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Rademacher will disclose what’s been learned about how to manage and prevent introduction or re-introduction of PEDV back into our swine herds. He’ll also discuss the current state of PRRS management and what researchers are learning about how to manage and prevent this disease. The latest on Senecavirus A also will be discussed.
Swine Market Outlook
Dr. Lee Schulz, Extension livestock economist – Iowa State University
Exports, domestic demand, health challenges and a multitude of other factors can impact the livestock producer’s bottom line. Dr. Schulz will dive into these issues and current projections, review forecasts for input costs and market hog value in 2017 and discuss what profit opportunity may be in store for producers in the year to come.
“Safe Pigs, Safe People – Steps to Make Your Barn Safer for All”
Erik Potter, swine specialist – Iowa State University Extension & Outreach
You’ve built the barn for the safety and well-being of the pigs, but have you identified the safety risks to you or your employees? Participants will learn how to identify risks along with steps to eliminate or minimize those risks. Topics to include animal handling, slips/trips/fall hazards, machine guarding, lock out/tag out, hazard communication, emergency preparedness and pit pumping.
Swine Health Management and Antibiotic Stewardship
ISU Extension Swine Specialists
Swine producers need to prepare their farms for new regulations that will likely change their health management strategies. As producers, we can choose to ignore, dispute or defend our operations, but during this session, the fourth option, stewardship, will be promoted. The swine specialists will look at what’s always been done and try to find ways to do it better. They’ll also focus on tools and techniques to use to reduce antibiotic usage.
Source: Iowa Pork