By Andi Anderson
The Iowa Pork Regional Conferences are set to take place February 24-27, 2025, across four locations. Organized by the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA), Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach, and the Iowa Pork Industry Center, these free sessions aim to provide pork producers with essential knowledge to improve their operations.
This year’s topics include barn inspections, mortality management, and sustainability. Key speakers include:
- Brian Blumhagen, Altenburg Construction Director, who will discuss identifying repair needs in hog barns and understanding repair, remodel, and replacement costs.
- Dr. Chris Rademacher, ISU Extension swine veterinarian, presenting composting practices for daily operations and foreign animal disease preparedness.
- ISU Extension agricultural engineers, offering practical tips on enhancing barn ventilation and reducing costs.
- Gracie Greiner Marlow, IPPA Sustainability Manager, highlighting the National Pork Board’s Pork Cares Farm Impact Reports for tracking conservation efforts.
- ISU swine specialists, providing area-specific updates and insights for attendees.
Conference Schedule
- Feb. 24: Orange City, ISU Sioux County Office
- Feb. 25: Nashua, Borlaug Learning Center
- Feb. 26: Algona, ILCC Tietz Entrepreneurial Center
- Feb. 27: Washington, ISU Washington County Office
The program runs from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, with lunch served at 12:30 p.m. Check-in begins 30 minutes before each session. Preregistration is encouraged to ensure adequate materials and meals.
To register, call IPPA at 800-372-7675 or email info@iowapork.org. Thursday’s session will be recorded and available online at IowaPork.org.
These conferences provide pork producers with the tools and resources to enhance their operations and stay informed about the latest industry trends.
Photo Credit: istock-apichsn
Categories: Iowa, Livestock, Hogs