PORK Academy is a series of seminars designed to inform pork producers about current industry challenges in a way that will help them on their own operations. The seminars feature a variety of topics, including nutrition labeling, carbon footprint, finance, herd health and market outlooks.

"All producers attending World Pork Expo are welcome to join us for the PORK Academy seminars," said Mary Langhorst, chair of the Pork Checkoff's Producer and State Services Committee. "These seminars are a great way to get accurate information in areas that are vital to our operations."

Below is the PORK Academy agenda. All sessions are in the Varied Industries Building, Room C, including a business seminar luncheon on the upper level:

Wednesday, 8 June

• 9:15-10:00 a.m. - Nutrition Labeling and Temperature Data, Betsy Booren, American Meat Institute and Steve Larsen, National Pork Board
• 10:15-11:00 a.m. - Let's Clear the Air, Randy Spronk, Edgerton, Minnesota
• 11:15-Noon - PRRS Virus - Eliminate and Control, Bob Morrison, University of Minnesota
• Noon-2:30 p.m. - Business Seminar (Lunch provided), Food, Technology and Choice, Rob Aukerman, President of US Operations - Elanco Animal Health. Economic Outlook, Steve Meyer, Paragon Economics
• 1:30-2:15 p.m. - Euthanasia - New Tools for Training, Sherrie Niekamp, National Pork Board and Suzanne Millman - Iowa State University
• 2:30-3:15 p.m. - Feed Costs and Efficiencies, Joel DeRouchey, Kansas State University

Thursday, 9 June

• 9:15-10 a.m. - Putting US Pork on the World's Table, Danita Rodibaugh, Vice Chairman of the US Meat Export Federation
• 10:15-11 a.m. - How to Protect Your Farm, Kent Mower, Coalition to Support Iowa Farmers and Dave Struthers, Struthers Farm, Inc.
• 11:15 a.m.-Noon - Let's Clear the Air, Randy Spronk, Edgerton, Minnesota
• Noon-2:30 p.m. - Business Seminar (Lunch provided), Food, Technology and Choice, Rob Aukerman, President of US Operations - Elanco Animal Health. Economic Outlook, Steve Meyer, Paragon Economics
• 1:30-2:15 p.m. - Using the Crush Margin to Manage Profits Rather than Price, Shane Ellis, Iowa State University
• 2:30-3:15 p.m. - Feed Costs and Efficiencies, Joel DeRouchey, Kansas State University

"The seminars are not only designed to provide producers with information they can use on their farm, but by hosting these seminars during World Pork Expo, it gives producers time to explore other opportunities at Expo," Ms Langhorst said.