PORK Academy is a series of seminars designed to provide information for pork producers about current industry challenges in a way that can be applied to their own operations. The seminars will cover a variety of topics, such as herd health, pork exports, transport bedding, economic outlooks and the We Care initiative.

"Every producer attending World Pork Expo is invited 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 wonderful way to get timely and accurate information on topics that are vital to producer's operations."

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

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

• 9:15-10:00 a.m.-Doing What's Right vs. Looking for the Camera
  Lynn Becker, Pork Producer
  Sherrie Niekamp, National Pork Board
  Cindy Cunningham, National Pork Board
  During this session producers will learn about daily on-farm practices and why they are important to their pigs, barn workers and the industry. You'll also learn what to do if confronted with an undercover video on your farm. And you'll hear first-hand from a producer who dealt with this issue on his farm.
  
  
• 10:15-11:00 a.m.-Transport Bedding - Can Less Be Better?
  Avi Sapkota, Texas Tech University
  This session will provide research results that could help you save money.
  
  
• 11:00 a.m.-Noon-PRRS Regional Elimination - Procedures for Taking PRRS out of the Breeding Herd
  Bob Morrison, University of Minnesota.
  This session will share standard operating procedures that you can use.
  
  
• 12:00-2:30 p.m.-Business Seminar Luncheon
  Weather Outlook Elwynn Taylor, Iowa State University
  Economic Outlook, Steve Meyer, Paragon Economics
  
  
• 1:30-2:15 p.m.-Biosecurity of PRRS - Pros & Cons of Filters
  Dr Jim McKean, Iowa State University
  Dr Bryan Myers, Pipestone Clinic
  Dr McKean will focus on "Getting Back to Basics in Biosecurity". Understanding of how pathogens move from pig to pig, and whatsteps can be done to block transfer. Dr Myers will provide an overview of PRRS filtration and how a farm is filtered from start to finish, information in the decision making process of whether or not to filter a farm and lastly, what determines the success of PRRS filtering on a farm.
  
  
• 2:30-3:15 p.m.-Ingredient Availability & Cost
  Joel DeRouchey, Kansas State University
  This session will provide information on optimizing diets with current prices.

Thursday, 7 June 2012

• 9:15-10:00 a.m.-Advances in PRRS Research
  Dr Butch Baker, Iowa State University
  PRRS research results that have yielded practical benefits for producers will be shared in this session.
  
  
• 10:15-11:00 a.m.-The Threat of Foot & Mouth Disease to the Swine Industry
  Dermot Hayes & Jim Roth, Iowa State University
  More countries in the world currently have Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) in their livestock than those that are free from the disease. Learn about the economic impact to the swine industry and efforts to develop business continuity plans in the event of an FMD outbreak in the United States.
  
  
• 11:15 a.m.-Noon-Leading by Example- Showing We Caresm at the Barn Level
  Bryn Jensson, National Pork Board
  Looking to increase your knowledge of the We Caresm initiative and how you can share it with your employees or production partners? This session will highlight the recently developed We Care barn worker kit. This tool provides We Care posters and training guides (available in both English and Spanish) which display the initiative's six ethical principles. Don't miss your chance to discover how you can inspire your employees -lead by example.
  
  
• 12:00-2:30 p.m.-Business Seminar Luncheon
  Weather Outlook Elwynn Taylor, Iowa State University
  Economic Outlook, Steve Meyer, Paragon Economics
  
  
• 1:30-2:15 p.m.-Biosecurity of PRRS - Pros & Cons of Filters
  Dr Jim McKean, Iowa State University
  Dr Bryan Myers, Pipestone Clinic
  Dr McKean will focus on "Getting Back to Basics in Biosecurity". Understanding of how pathogens move from pig to pig, and whatsteps can be done to block transfer. Dr Myers will provide an overview of PRRS filtration and how a farm is filtered from start to finish, information in the decision making process of whether or not to filter a farm and lastly, what determines the success of PRRS filtering on a farm.
  
  
• 2:30-3:30 p.m.-Export Issues & World Markets
  Becca Hendricks, National Pork Board
  Laurie Hueneke, National Pork Producer's Council
  Paul Sundberg, National Pork Board
  Participants will hear an update on the current US export activities and markets, a review of market access and policy issues, scientific barriers to trade and see a presentation of pork usage in Mexico, the number one volume market for US pork exports.

The Pork Checkoff is sponsoring other activities at World Pork Expo in addition to PORK Academy. Producers are invited to visit the Pork Checkoff hospitality tent on the north side of the varied industries building for food, fun and information. National Pork Board members and staff will be serving food throughout the day and hosting events including information sessions and recipe demonstrations. A full schedule of events and more information about the hospitality tent can be found at www.pork.org/wpx.

Information about PORK Academy is available at pork.org, or by contacting Sharlotte Peterson, [email protected], 515-223-2600.