An upcoming component of the project is the International Conference on Pig Survivability set for 28 to 29 October in Omaha, Nebraska. Registration is now open on the conference website.

Conference planning chair Joel DeRouchey of Kansas State University said the event will provide timely, accurate and vital information to those involved with all facets of pork production. Topics range from economic and financial impacts of survivability to the roles people and technology play in decreasing mortality and increasing survivability.

“The conference content builds on information already gained through the project, and ways people can start to use the data in their own operations,” DeRouchey said. “All of our speakers bring their individual knowledge and experience that will help attendees learn more and understand how to use that knowledge when they return home.”

Project leader Jason Ross of Iowa State University said the project has two primary objectives: to identify factors contributing to swine mortality in commercial production, and to develop strategies and information to reduce mortality and maximise pig survivability. Read more about the project and its progress on the website. Ross, who also is director of Iowa Pork Industry Center at ISU, said the conference will play a large role in sharing information gained during this first segment of the project.

“The objective of the conference is to facilitate the discussion and dissemination of the most current information relative to sow, litter, weaned pig and grow-finish mortality,” he said. “Through featuring presentations and panel discussions from industry leaders and scientific experts, we want to bring the industry together to motivate change while providing the tools and resources to do it.”

The conference begins with plenary sessions in the morning and afternoon of the first day, with two sets of concurrent sessions followed by a plenary session on the second day. Each breakout session concentrates on a specific production phase – breeding herd, pre-weaning, nursery and finishing – and will have a short presentation, research updates and a panel discussion.

Full conference registration is $200 when done by 1 October, and increases to $300 after that date. Student registration is $25 by 1 October, and $50 after that date. The fee includes two lunches, one breakfast, one reception and all programme materials. The conference website has links to the current agenda, lodging information and list of sponsors.

Improving Pig Survivability project team members are from Iowa State University, Kansas State University and Purdue University. The project is funded by National Pork Board and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.