Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
10/4/00
Contacts:
Jerry Weiss, Pocahontas County Extension, (712) 335-3103,
weissj@iastate.edu
Sherry Hoyer, Iowa Pork Industry Center, (515) 294-4496,
shoyer@iastate.edu
Nebraska Pork Producers Learn Marketing Skills through Iowa Program
NORFOLK, Neb. -- Producers from 21 northeast Nebraska pork operations are more proficient and confident in their marketing skills, thanks to efforts of two Iowa State University Extension field specialists. ISU Extension livestock specialist Jerry Weiss and farm management specialist Ron Hook led a two-part workshop here based on a marketing information series they led in northwest Iowa earlier this year. The original series was funded by the Iowa Pork Industry Center.
"Mike Brum from the University of Nebraska saw a news release on our project and asked if we would be interested in doing something similar there," Weiss said. "We set two dates a week apart and reorganized our material to fit into that time frame. We met both times from 4 to 9:30 p.m."
The workshop focused on understanding market terms and trends, and learning how and when to use a variety of market tools in individual operations. Two-thirds of those who participated said they market 5,000 or fewer hogs per year and most already work with a broker when marketing at least some of their hogs. Even so, they appreciated the information they received through the workshop.
"I was very pleased with this seminar," one participant said. "I learned a lot in a short time." Eighty-five percent of those attending rated the knowledge they received as above average or very useful, the two highest ranked categories. When asked if they would be interested in continuing with an advanced marketing seminar, the majority said they would. The producers traveled an average of 42 miles one way to attend the workshops, held in mid-August.
Brum, University of Nebraska Extension swine specialist, said he was pleased with the efforts of Weiss and Hook in developing the workshop to fit the needs of Nebraska pork producers. He said the information was timely and accurate, and presented in an easy to understand manner.
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.