The conference will take place on 11 March from 10:00 to 16:30 (EST) at the Schnitzelbank Restaurant, 393 Third Ave., Jasper.

Kenneth Eck, Purdue Extension educator in Dubois County and one of the conference organisers, said the goal is to bring together pork producers, academics, veterinarians and others in pork business to talk about key industry issues. Topics will focus on livestock regulations, updates in swine production and health and environmental issues.

Veterinarian John Baker of the Warrick Veterinary clinic will present 'Health Concerns - Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus' - a topic of concern in the swine production sector.

The PED virus of swine carries with it a mortality rate of nearly 100 per cent for infected piglets that are less than two weeks old. While it offers no threat to human health or food safety, the virus is devastating to swine herds.

Additional conference topics and speakers:

• Swine Theft and Biosecurity by Eck and Stan Leinbach, Dubois County pork producer.
• Feeder Designs - Impact When Considering Your Building Remodel by Brian Richert, Purdue Extension swine specialist.
• State Regulatory and Legislative Issues and How They'll Affect You by Indiana Pork's Josh Trenary, executive director, and Ben Wicker, director of producer outreach.
• Update on Reproductive Technologies by Kara Stewart, Purdue Extension Reproductive Physiologist.
• Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) Certification by Dr Eck.

Indiana Pork will provide lunch. Conference attendance and lunch are free but reservations are required by 4 March to Wicker at 317-396-9352.

For more information visit www.extension.purdue.edu/dubois and click the conference link under "Hot Topics," or contact the Purdue Extension Dubois County office at 812-482-1782 or email [email protected].