2014 National Swine Improvement Federation
Annual Conference and Symposium
Thursday, December 4
Session 1: Celebrating 50 Years with the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center
7:15
Depart hotel for USMARC, Clay Center
9:00-10:15
Bus tour of USDA Roman L. Hruska Meat Animal Research Center
10:30-10:40
Welcome
Dr. John Pollak, USMARC
10:40-11:00
Update on Swine Buildings and Projected Future Buildings
Dr. Vallet, USMARC
11:00-11:30
Overview of Swine Genomics
Dr. Rohrer, USMARC
11:30-12:00
Assessment of Functional Genetic Variants for QTL Regions
Dr. Nonneman, USMARC
12:00–1:00
Lunch and NSIF Annual Meeting
1:00-1:30
Nutrition Unit Research
Dr. Olliver, USMARC
1:30-2:00
Gilt Development Research
Dr. Lents, USMARC
2:00-2:30
Sow Metabolomics
Dr. Rempel, USMARC
2:30-3:00
Fetal Development
Dr. Miles, USMARC
3:00-3:15
Break
3:15-5:15 Session 2: Genetics of Disease
Moderator: Dr. Justin Fix, Smithfield Premium Genetics
 The role of host genetics in PCV2 susceptibility– Dr. Dan Ciobanu,
University of Nebraska
 Maternal and Fetal Predictors of Viral Load and Fetal Death in PRRSv
Infected Pregnant Gilts – Dr. John Harding, University of Saskatchewan
 The Impact of PRRS and PED Virus Infection on Grower Pig Growth,
Feed Efficiency and Metabolism – Dr. Nicholas Gabler, Iowa State
University
5:30
Return to Lincoln, NE
7:00-10:00
Awards Dinner – Wick Alumni Center, UNL City Campus
Sponsored by Destron-Fearing and Zoetis
Friday, December 5
8:00-10:15
Session 3: Tools for Operating Genetic Improvement Schemes in Pigs
Moderator: Dr. Tom Rathje, DNA Genetics
 Recent Developments in Theory and Application of Genomic Prediction
in Beef Cattle – Dr. Dorian Garrick, Iowa State University
 Statistical Approaches to Modeling Reproductive Longevity in the
Genomics Era – Dr. Steve Kachman, University of Nebraska
 Strategies and Case Studies for the use of Improvesttm to Reduce Costs
Associated with Intact Males in Nucleus Selection Schemes – Mr. Bill
Beckman, Zoetis
10:15-10:30
Break
10:30-12:00
Session 4: Genetics of Fertility
Moderator: Dr. Mark Knauer, North Carolina State University
 Identifying Barriers to Adopting Reproductive Technologies – Dr. Kara
Stewart, Purdue University
 An open discussion on selection strategies to increase the number of
quality weaned pigs o Industry Trends in Reproduction – Ms. Emily Cook (Graduate
Student, NCSU)
o Review of Litter Variance Components – Mr. Austin Putz (Graduate
Student, NCSU)
o Facilitator – Dr. Mark Knauer, NCSU