The seventh annual Iowa Swine Day will feature speakers addressing important issues facing pork producers. The June 28 event on the Iowa State University campus in Ames is planned and hosted by ISU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Iowa Pork Industry Center and the Iowa Pork Producers Association.

John Patience, co-organizer and professor of animal science, says planners continue to rely on producer input to develop a strong program that is relevant to the industry.

Speakers will share personal experience in developing businesses, understanding the global food industry and teaching communication skills.

Nationally recognized speakers
“The morning session features Ray and Dave Price from Canada’s Sunterra Farms, who will describe the strategic decisions made to transition their family’s traditional farrow-to-finish farm of the 1970s into a multinational producer, processor, retailer and exporter of pork,” Patience says. “Their most recent innovation is construction of an Italian dry-cured meat plant in Canada, in partnership with the Simonini family from Modena, Italy.”

Also, during the morning session, David McDonald of the OSI Group will talk about the global future of the food industry. In addition to his role with the OSI Group, McDonald serves on the board of directors for the North American Meat Institute affording him unique perspectives on the trends influencing global consumption of protein.

Jeff Ansell, president of Jeff Ansell & Associates, will provide the entertaining yet practical and instructive presentation, “When the headline is you!” Ansell has taught classes at both Duke and Harvard universities, and shares strategies, techniques and tips to help his clients become better communicators.

Following lunch, 16 presentations will be part of four concurrent sessions.

Co-organizer Jason Ross says the afternoon topics range from updates on the use of sexed semen to cyber-security to pricing and negotiating hog prices. Ross, who is an ISU associate professor of animal science and director of IPIC, says topics also include mitigation of mycoplasma pneumonia and best practices in siting new hog barns.

Register early and save
Following the day’s program, attendees are invited to a barbecue in the Iowa State Center courtyard, organized by TechMix and AB Vista. Ross says attendees won’t want to miss this relaxing and tasty end to the day.

Check-in and onsite registration opens at 7:30 a.m. June 28, with sessions beginning at 8:30 a.m. The program will adjourn at 4:30 p.m., followed by the conference barbecue.

Registration is $50 and includes lunch, refreshments and barbecue. Early registration ends midnight June 15. Registration after that date is $75. Students may register at no cost before the early deadline. Their fee increases to $45 thereafter.

Iowa Swine Day will be at the Scheman Building, Iowa State Center, 1805 Center Drive in Ames. Additional information, directions and online registration is available on the Iowa Swine Day conference website.

Source: Iowa State University