The South Dakota Pork Producers Council will hold its 43^rd Annual Pork Congress at the Sioux Falls Ramkota Hotel and Exhibit Hall Jan. 12-13.

The two-day trade show will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 13. Exhibitors will display the latest in technology, equipment, feeds, and vet supplies. Admission to the trade show is free and a pork loin feed is available to all in attendance Thursday beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the Ramkota Exhibit Hall Annex.

On Thursday at 10:30 a.m., an educational seminar will feature Steve Meyer, president of Paragon Economics. He will discuss the economic outlook for the pork industry and the projections for input costs.

A PQA Plus certification session is available on Thursday, Jan. 12, at 1 p.m. in the seminar area of the exhibit hall. PQA Plus is a voluntary program for pork farmers to demonstrate to consumers their commitment to providing the best care possible for their animals while also providing the highest quality and safest product possible.

At 2 p.m., producers will be able to receive Transport Quality Assurance certification. TQA is a program designed by the National Pork Board to teach producers how to handle and transport pigs.

Thursday's events end the Master Pork Producers Recognition banquet.

During the annual Awards Luncheon on Friday, the SDPPC will present several awards to industry leaders, including a pork environmental steward award to Ferlyn and Karen Hofer, of Canistota.

Friday afternoon's session begins with a cooking demonstration from the SDSU Meats Department.

At 2 p.m. Nancy Lidster, of DNL Farms, with be talking about misconceptions about pig behavior that cause pig handling problems. She will go over ineffective handling methods that require more time and often extra people than necessary.

New this year is a session in which producers can ask an industry panel questions about management, finance, nutrition ventilation and animal handling.

The convention wraps up with a reception and Pork PAC silent auction Friday evening.

A full schedule of events is available at www.sdpork.org

Source: South Dakota Pork Producers Council