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Pork producers, swine veterinarians, and others with an interest in the industry can register before November 19 to attend and receive a $10 discount.

Chris Hurt is a professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. He is known for his practical and useful approach to family farm market challenges, pricing strategies, and livestock futures market performance. Recent research by Prof. Hurt examined the factors influencing the structural changes in the pork industry and evaluated the adoption of new technologies in moderate-sized Midwestern farms. Frequently cited in the agricultural media, Prof. Hurt has received three state awards and multiple national awards for his Extension work. He’ll talk on opportunities and threats ahead for pork producers.

Dr. Tom Gillespie, owner of the Rensselaer (Ind.) Swine Service, earned a veterinary degree from Purdue University in 1979 and started an exclusively swine practice in 1991. He became board certified in swine health management in 1998 and does consulting nationally and internationally. His long-standing service to swine and veterinary organizations includes currently serving as vice president of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. His talks will cover practical approaches to dealing with ileitis and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).

Other speakers at the December swine conference and their topics will be:

* Dr. Larry Firkins, swine Extension veterinarian and assistant professor, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, on bioterrorism preparedness; * Mr. Jim Kaitschuk, executive director of the Illinois Pork Producers Association, on recent activities of IPPA; * Dr. Robert Knox, assistant professor and swine reproductive Extension specialist at the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, on artificial insemination skills for breeding personnel; * Dr. Jim Lowe, veterinarian and partner in the international swine consulting practice Carthage (Ill.) Veterinary Services, LTD, on strategies to manage swine influenza; and * Dr. Jeff Okones, a veterinarian in swine field services for Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., on assessing PRRS risks.

The conference is jointly sponsored by the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Extension, IPPA, the National Pork Board, and commercial exhibitors.

Source: ACES News - 14th October 2003