AMES, Iowa -- Iowa pork producers are invited to learn more about improving their swine production operations at one of the 2008 Iowa Pork Regional Conferences scheduled for late February. The Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC), Iowa Pork Producers Association, and Iowa State University (ISU) Extension cosponsor this annual series of five meetings at different sites around the state.
The series is set for Feb. 18-19 and 25-27 from 4 to 8 p.m. each day. Fee for those preregistered at least two business days in advance is $20 per person, which includes meal and materials. Walk-in registration is $30 per person. All fees are payable at the door. Information is available on the IPIC Web site at www.ipic.iastate.edu/events.html People can preregister by calling IPIC at (800) 808-7675 or (515) 294-4103.
IPIC program specialist Colin Johnson said this year’s conference series, “Healthy Pigs, Healthy Operations,” features topics specifically designed for the owner-operator and other decision makers of swine operations.
"Producers will hear from ISU veterinary faculty on disease management, and ISU extension field specialists will talk about mortality composting,” Johnson said. “There also will be industry expert-led discussion about current and pending biofuel coproducts and new strategies for using various components in the diet. Additionally, there are several enzyme type products to address.”
These speakers and their topics are Locke Karriker of ISU College of Veterinary Medicine, “Case Studies of Disease Intervention;” Mark Bertram, First Choice Livestock, “Feeding Pigs in a Biofuels World: Products and Strategies to Consider;” and local ISU Extension swine field specialists, “Mortality Management and Trouble Shooting Composting.”
Program dates, locations and contact information are as follows.
-
Monday, Feb. 18, Ainsworth, Marr Park Conservation Center, 2943 Highway 92. Contact Terry Steinhart, (641) 622-2680, tsteinha@iastate.edu
-
Tuesday, Feb. 19, Oelwein, Oelwein Community Plaza, 25 W. Charles St. Contact Mark Storlie, (563) 425-3331, mstorlie@iastate.edu
-
Monday, Feb. 25, Sioux Center, Corporate Center, 952 N. Main Ave. Contact Dave Stender, (712) 225-6196, dstender@iastate.edu
-
Tuesday, Feb. 26, Carroll, Carroll County Extension Office, 1205 West U.S. Highway 30, Suite G. Contact Jerry Weiss, (712) 335-3103, weissj@iastate.edu
-
Wednesday, Feb. 27, Dows, Dows Community Center, 119 East Ellsworth. Contact Russ Euken, (641) 923-2856, reuken@iastate.edu
IPIC was established in 1994 as a coordinated effort of the colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine at ISU. Its mission is to promote efficient pork production technologies in Iowa, maintain Iowa's pork industry leadership and strengthen rural development efforts. IPIC focuses its efforts on programs that are integral and complimentary to ISU Extension. Through IPIC, Iowa producers receive accurate and timely information to make their operations more efficient and profitable.
-30-