"Excitement is high this year as producers are feeling the positive effects of strong markets," said John Weber, Chair of the IPPA Iowa Pork Congress Committee and a producer from Dysart. "This is a great venue for producers who are interested in upgrading their facilities and seeing the newest products and technologies available."

The 2006 Iowa Pork Congress, the largest winter swine trade show in the U.S., will be held January 25 and 26 at Hy-Vee Hall in the Iowa Events Center, downtown Des Moines. As an official function of the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA), this Midwest swine symposium offers the latest information, products and services available to pork producers.

The Iowa Pork Congress offers a variety of educational opportunities for pork producers throughout the show, including the latest information for controlling PRRS panel discussion moderated by Dr. Locke Karriker from Iowa State University, and understanding the impact of gilt development, presented by Dr. Don Levis from the University Nebraska, Lincoln. Also featured will be information on analyzing the financial return on contract production, presented by Dr. Bob Morrison from the University of Minnesota and a discussion on stocking density by Dr. Mike Brumm from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Other educational topics include quality management systems, regulatory compliance, value/added niche marketing and a variety of swine finishing strategies.

Producers can also visit with experts at the PORK ® Campus, where university specialists will be on hand to offer consultation to producers and answer questions on any production topic. New this year, will be the additions of the National Animal Identification System Premises ID Station and Ventilation Trailer. The Premises ID Station will allow producers to sign up there premises and have industry representatives answer questions about Animal ID.

The ventilation trailer will provide hands-on demonstrations for attendees on setting fan controllers, adjusting inlets, static pressure effects, and other real-life effects. The demonstrations will be conducted in a mobile ventilation trailer.

PORK ® University, a collection of company-sponsored seminars scheduled throughout the show will feature new products, services and information related to important pork production issues. PORK ® University will include the latest in auto-sorting technologies, nutrition information, estate planning and investment considerations and ventilation management.

"Combined with our new facilities and a wider variety of workshops and seminars for producers, this show promises to be the best in years," said Weber.

Preceding the Iowa Pork Congress is the IPPA Annual Meeting, held on Tuesday, January 24 at the downtown Marriott Hotel. Producer delegates will review financial reports, committee activity reports and will consider a number of resolutions submitted by members, county pork producer organizations and IPPA committees.

Other events throughout the week include the Taste of Elegance, a culinary competition for chefs designed to inspire new and innovative ways to menu pork, held Monday, January 23, and the Iowa Pork Congress Kickoff Reception and Auction held Tuesday evening, January 24. Master Pork Producers, Master Seedstock Producers and the Pork All-Americans will be recognized during the Iowa Pork Congress Banquet, held Wednesday evening, January 25.

The IPPA will also serve 2,500 pork burgers to downtown Des Moines workers and residents during the Winter Pork Picnic, a fundraiser for the Food Bank of Iowa. This event will be held from 11:30 - 1:00 p.m. at Capital Square on Wednesday, January 25. The public is invited to attend.

The 2006 Iowa Pork Congress will be in the Iowa Events Center's Hy-Vee Hall. Iowa Pork Congress attendees may take the 3rd street exit from I-235 and use the designated parking near the facility.

The 34th Annual Iowa Pork Congress is an official annual function of the Iowa Pork Producers Association and is open to all pork producers and others interested in the pork industry. Registration fee is $5 for IPPA members and $10 for non-members. Show hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. For more information, call the IPPA at 800-372-7675 or visit www.iowaporkcongress.org for exhibitors, seminar information, driving directions, maps and hotel information.

Source: Iowa Pork Producers Association - 30th December 2005