AMES, Iowa — The annual series of Iowa Pork Regional Conferences has been a long-standing partnership of Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Pork Industry Center. The shared goal of bringing research and education to producers continues with this year's program, topics and speakers. There are four sessions, one each day Feb. 20-23, at different locations, all starting at 1 p.m. All are free.

Iowa State extension specialists will offer Pork Quality Assurance Plus® training each morning from 9 a.m. to noon at that day’s regional conference site. These training sessions are sponsored by IPPA and are free although you must preregister. Attendees are responsible for their own lunch. Lunch will not be served at the conference sites. Download the event flyer.

The topics and presenters are:

• European Experience with African Swine Fever - A panel of producers and veterinarians will talk about ASF herd management in different European countries. The information is from a trip organized by the National Pork Board last fall.
• Heat Stress Research & Strategies to Mitigate It - Dr. Brett Ramirez, ISU ag & biosystems engineering, will talk about studies for improving barn ventilation, and share strategies to reduce heat stress.
• Economic Issues Update - Dr. Lee Schulz, Iowa State extension livestock economist, will present an overview of economic activity that will impact pig farmers.
• The Value of Manure - the ISU extension ag engineer for each respective area will provide updates on ISU’s manure research including information to help you determine its value.

Conference dates and locations
Monday, Feb. 20 - Orange City at the Sioux County Extension Office, 400 Central Ave. NW, Suite 700.
Tuesday, Feb. 21 - Webster City, Briggs Woods Conference Center, 2501 Briggs Woods Trail.
Wednesday, Feb. 22 - Nashua, Borlaug Learning Center, 3327 290th St.
Thursday, Feb. 23 - Washington, Washington County Extension Office, 2223 250th St.

See conference details and link to the online registration form on the IPPA website. You can also preregister by contacting IPPA by phone 800-372-7675 or email croepke@iowapork.org.

-30- 

IPIC was established in 1994 as a coordinated effort of the colleges of Agriculture (now Agriculture and Life Sciences) and Veterinary Medicine at ISU. Its mission is to promote efficient pork production technologies in Iowa, maintain Iowa's pork industry leadership and strengthen rural development efforts. IPIC focuses its efforts on programs that are integral and complementary to ISU Extension and Outreach. Through IPIC, Iowa producers receive accurate and timely information to make their operations more efficient and profitable.