Iowa pork producers are invited to learn more about pig health and growth, and get updates on ventilation management and disease research projects by attending one of the 2011 Iowa Pork Regional Conferences scheduled for early March. The Iowa Pork Industry Center  at Iowa State University, the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA), and Iowa State University Extension cosponsor this annual series at different sites around the state.

IPIC Extension program specialist Colin Johnson says that while the conference will offer information for owners and operators, others in the hog industry can also benefit from attending. "This is a conference that will offer a lot of useful information for lots of folks," he adds. "Veterinarians, swine industry stakeholders, production employees and contract growers all will find knowledge they can take home with them and use."

How will pigs be produced after growth drugs are banned?

James McKean, ISU Extension swine veterinarian and IPIC associate director, will speak on two topics "PRRS Control Strategies and Regional Projects" and "Pig Production after the Removal of Growth Promotion Drugs." The presentation on PRRS will include tools to reduce impacts, eliminate the virus and minimize opportunities for reinfection. Johnson will talk about Draft Compliance Policy Guide 209 and potential impacts on pork production, and offer suggestions and strategies for reducing impacts of losing growth promotants.

Other speakers are Ron Ketchum of Swine Management Services, speaking on "Benchmarking Sows and the Post-Weaned Pig" and local ISU Extension swine program specialists will present timely information on ventilation management and the scheduling of a ventilation trailer to visit hog facilities to provide on-site training workshops.

This year's conference dates of March 8-11, follow the same schedule and will be at the same respective locations as in 2010, and all sessions run from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is no cost for those who are preregistered at least two business days prior to each location date. Walk-in registration is $5 per person, payable at the door. More information, including a link to the program brochure, is available on the IPIC website at www.ipic.iastate.edu/events.html. To preregister, call IPPA at 800-372-7675 or 515-225-7675.

Program dates and locations of meetings are as follows:

Tuesday, March 8 in Sheldon at Northwest Iowa Community College, 603 West Park Street, Building C Auditorium.

Wednesday, March 9 in Carroll at the Carrollton Inn, 1205 West U.S. Hwy 30.

Thursday, March 10 in Nashua at Borlaug Learning Center, 3327 290th Street.

Friday, March 11 in Ainsworth at Marr Park on Highway 92.

Remember: Preregister two days before the date of the location if you wish to attend and you can attend for free. If you wait until the day of the meeting, the cost is $5 per person. Contact IPPA now to sign up at 800-372-7675.

IPIC was established in 1994 as a coordinated effort of the colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Veterinary Medicine at ISU. IPIC's 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.