Sweet on Swine, held at Honey Creek Resort at Lake Rathbun, Iowa, hosted more than 30 veterinarians, producers, distributor representatives and technical support staff during the two-day event in June.

“This event was an opportunity to bring together a group of influential women in the industry,“ says Sara Balvanz, BIVI swine sales representative and organizer of Sweet on Swine. “For BIVI, it is a way to foster female peer groups in swine production by offering a place to learn and share ideas.“

As part of the event, attendees participated in a seminar which included presentations from BIVI on the use of circovirus and mycoplasma vaccines in the market; the economic effects of porcine respiratory and reproductive disease (PRRS) in swine systems; a case study/group activity for oral vaccination techniques; and an overview of the BIVI diagnostic lab.

Guest speakers included Drs. Laura Schulz, Amber Stricker and Angela Delks, who presented on air filtration, area regional control for PRRS and bio-security practices. In addition, special guest speaker Cindy Young, Brownfield Market Network, addressed key issues facing the agriculture industry as well as providing her expertise in handling daily discussions with “ag-enthusiasts“ in the country.

Following the seminar, the Sweet on Swine attendees walked 5 miles to support the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® breast cancer research foundation. The Sweet on Swine participants raised more than $5,000, with BIVI contributing $1,000.

“Sweet on Swine is the first event of its kind in the swine industry,“ says Dave Gocken, BIVI swine national sales manager. “We hope by creating events like this in the swine industry, we can continue to position Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., as a partner in swine health and production.“