The conference brings together industry experts to speak on current business trends and challenges, helping pork producers gain important insight and financial sophistication they can use to help manage through tough economic times.

"The Pork Management Conference combines up-to-date information on the business of pork production with opportunities to interact with knowledgeable financial and business professionals who are dedicated to helping pork producers succeed," said David Ray, chair of the Checkoff's Producer and State Services Committee and a pork producer from Edenton, N.C.

In addition to the general sessions on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, two concurrent sessions are planned for Thursday. Topics include the Affordable Care Act, the use of alternative feeds, updates on accounting practices for pork producers, a case study on margin management, PRRS strategies, and the economics of sow-housing.

The registration fee for the conference is $395 per person now and $435 per person after 24 May, 2013. The first 10 pork producers who have not attended in the past two years will receive a $300 discount on registration, courtesy of AgStar Financial Services. A registration form and a detailed list of events are available at pork.org.