If you are interested in hog production or involved in the swine industry, mark you calendar now to attend the Iowa Pork Congress Jan. 26 and 27, 2011. The event will be held in downtown Des Moines in Hy-Vee Hall at the Iowa Events Center as well as the neighboring Polk County Convention Complex.

Pork Congress hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 26 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 27. The event is sponsored by the Iowa Pork Producers Association. The Iowa Pork Foundation's annual kickoff reception and auction will be held at Hy-Vee Hall Jan. 25 and the IPPA Youth Swine Judging contest will be held at the county convention complex on Jan. 27.

"The Pork Congress is one of the largest and best swine events of the year and if you are involved in pork production in any way, shape or form in Iowa or any other Midwest state, you really need to attend," says  IPPA president John Weber, a hog producer from Dysart. "The tradeshow has it all and the wide variety of seminars that are offered provides excellent educational opportunities. The social events, the youth activities and the networking possibilities make the 2011 Iowa Pork Congress a can't-miss event."

Free educational seminars are also well-attended attraction

While the tradeshow and its 300 exhibitors is a major draw for many of the nearly 5,000 annual attendees, the seminars that are offered at no additional cost are another key attraction.

"The IPPA staff always tries to cover the most pressing issues in pork production by offering seminars and expert speakers that address those topics," says Don Toale, a pork producer from Independence who is an active member of IPPA. "We bring in the most knowledgeable speakers to facilitate these sessions because we feel it's very important to keep pork producers and others involved in the hog industry well informed."

Some of the seminar topics include environmental regulations and nuisance cases, legislative issues, foreign trade, genetics and PRRS disease. Iowan Jolene Brown will present the keynote address titled "When Pigs Fly." Pork producers also can attend PQA Plus and TQA certification sessions.

You are encouraged to pre-register for 2011 Pork Congress

The Iowa Pork Congress offers something for everyone and pork producers, pig handlers, allied business representatives and high school and college students are encouraged to attend. "Decision makers in farrowing, finishing and seedstock production, as well as hog farm employees, veterinarians or anyone with any interest in the swine industry will gain valuable insight and information by attending," says Weber.

The pre-registration deadline is Jan. 14, 2011 and IPPA members can attend the tradeshow and conference at no cost by registering early. Other interested persons can register now at www.iowaporkcongress.org. Non-IPPA members can save $5 off the normal $10 admission cost by registering online by the deadline. Registrations will be accepted after the deadline through each day of the show, but the cost will be $10.

People who pre-register can avoid lines and quickly pick up their pre-printed name badge and credentials at the pre-registration desk the day of the show. For more information about the Iowa Pork Congress, contact IPPA at 800-372-7675 or visit www.iowaporkcongress.org.