Feb. 4, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!

(CLIVE, Iowa) — Iowa pork producers are invited to learn more about disease preparedness and traceability, development and implementation of common industry audits, and swine health research at the 2015 Iowa Pork Regional Conferences this month.

Attendees also will learn how to prepare for an audit and get swine program updates from Iowa State University Extension swine specialists.

The Iowa Pork Industry Center, Iowa Pork Producers Association and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach cosponsor this annual series at different sites around the state.

Conferences will be held Feb. 23-26 and follow the same schedule at all four locations with sessions held from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Conference dates and locations are as follows:

● Monday, Feb. 23 – Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College, Bldg. A, Room 116/119
● Tuesday, Feb. 24 – Carroll, Carroll County Extension office
● Wednesday, Feb. 25 – Nashua, The Borlaug Learning Center
● Thursday, Feb. 26 – Iowa City, Johnson County Extension office

There is no cost for those who preregister and pork operation employers, managers and staff are encouraged to attend. Walk-in registration is $5 per person, payable at the door.

Pork Checkoff veterinarians Drs. Patrick Webb and Dave Pyburn, along with Sherrie Webb from the National Pork Board, will share their experience and expertise in developing and implementing a common industry audit and in building disease preparedness and traceability throughout the U.S. Specific presenters will vary by location.

Newly hired ISU Extension swine veterinarian and nationally renowned swine production medicine expert Dr. Chris Rademacher will share updates on diagnostic submissions and swine health research at Iowa State, along with his plans for advanced field research in his new role.

At their respective locations, ISU Extension and Outreach swine program specialists will provide updates on practical audit preparation, training opportunities and programming and resources available through IPIC. They’ll also lead PQA Plus training sessions for attendees from 9:30 a.m. to noon the day of each session. The training is free for those who preregister, so please indicate attendance for this training as well as the afternoon conference by contacting IPPA Producer Education Director Tyler Bettin at (800) 372-7675 or tbettin@iowapork.org.

To preregister, call IPPA at (800) 372-7675 or e-mail Barb Nelson at bnelson@iowapork.org