Jan. 11, 2013 Contact: Tyler Bettin, Producer Education Director (800) 372-7675, tbettin@iowapork.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE! Educational seminars a key part of 2013 Iowa Pork Congress (CLIVE, Iowa) — Several educational business seminars and certification training sessions are being offered by the Iowa Pork Producers Association at the 2013 Iowa Pork Congress. The event is being held Jan. 23 and 24 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines and all of the educational opportunities are offered at no additional cost to registered participants. Hog farmers will be able to learn about new government regulations, animal health issues, swine housing and swine reproduction. There’s a session for niche producers and the National Pork Producers Council representatives will provide a public policy update. Dr. David Kohl of Virginia Tech University will discuss farm business management transition in the keynote address on Jan. 23. Pork Congress attendees also can attend PQA Plus® and TQA® certification sessions, as well as confinement site manure applicator training. The following is a complete schedule of seminars, training sessions and facilitators: Wednesday, Jan. 23 Seminars ● Iowa Regulations & Nuisance Case Update Eldon McAfee – Beving, Swanson & Forrest 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. ● Talking Animal Health Part I – PRRS Control Measures Dr. Cameron Schmitt – Pipestone Vet Clinic Part II – The Future of Antibiotics Dr. Jim McKean – Iowa State University 10:30 a.m. – Noon ● Evaluating Sow Housing Decisions Pork Industry Panel 12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. ● “Transition Management in the Wild World of Global Economics” – Keynote Presentation Dr. David Kohl – Virginia Tech University 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. ● Show Me the Money: Economic Outlook Dr. Steve Meyer – Paragon Economics, Inc. 3:15 p.m. – 4 p.m. Training Sessions ● Pork Quality Assurance Plus® Certification Dr. Matt Swantek - Iowa State University 10 a.m. – Noon ● Transport Quality Assurance® Certification Terry Steinhart - Iowa State University 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24 Seminars ● Progress on Pit Foam Dr. Steve Hoff – Iowa State University Dr. Charles Clanton – University of Minnesota 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. ● Lauren Christian Endowed Lecture on Swine Reproduction Part I – Differences among commercial farms with high and low sow longevity Dr. Billy Flowers – North Carolina State University Part II - Strategies for improving swine reproduction Dr. Jason Ross – Iowa State University 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. ● Building Media & Community Relations Laurie Johns – Iowa Farm Bureau Noon – 1 p.m. ● Dissecting D.C.: Pork Policy Update Dallas Hockman - National Pork Producers Council 1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. ● Feed Management & Records for Niche Producers Dr. Matt Swantek – Iowa State University David Stender – Iowa State University 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Training Sessions ● Confinement Site Manure Applicator Certification Jeff Prier – Iowa Department of Natural Resources Angela Rieck-Hinz – Iowa State University 10 a.m. – Noon All seminars and training sessions are held in the lower level of Hy-Vee Hall at the Iowa Events Center. Seminars are funded by the Pork Checkoff! The Iowa Pork Congress is open to all pork producers, allied business partners and others involved in the pork industry. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 23 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 24. Admission at the door is $10. For more information, contact the Iowa Pork Producers Association at (515) 225-7675, (800) 372-7675 or visit www.iowaporkcongress.org. -30-