Pork Producers Encouraged to Attend Annual Conference

By Sarah Watson, Livestock Editor
Thursday, January 17, 2008 8:53 AM CST

Pork producers across the state are invited and encouraged to attend the Wisconsin Pork Industry Business Conference, Jan. 24-25 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells.

The event will be held in conjunction with the Corn/Soy EXPO and Wisconsin Agri-Service Association annual meeting.

Wisconsin Pork Association has joined together in this collaborative agriculture effort to provide pork producers, who are also corn and soybean growers, a one-stop opportunity for educational seminars and information. It also provides producers an opportunity to mix business with family time at a popular Wisconsin water park destination. Special overnight room rates of $99 are available at the Kalahari to conference attendees.

The conference offers several programs designed to provide the latest details on pork industry issues. Attendees will be able to take advantage of the vast trade show, featuring seed, chemical, machinery and other industry partners, as well as corn/soybean industry seminars.

Voice of the Packers

A familiar voice will speak at the Corn/Soy/Pork EXPO midday luncheon on Friday, Jan. 25. Wayne Larrivee, the man who delivers play-by-play action for the Green Bay Packers radio network, will share his stories of America's favorite football team with farmers gathering in the Dells for their annual winter meetings.

A veteran sportscaster, Larrivee enters his 30th consecutive year broadcasting for NFL games, including the last nine with the Green Bay Packers. Known for his thorough preparation and moderate yet enthusiastic calls, Larrivee's more-recent credits include play-by-play of Chicago Bulls basketball on WGN-TV, Big Ten Conference football and basketball for ESPN Regional, co-host of the nationally syndicated Pro Football Weekly radio program the past 20 years, and Chicago Cubs baseball.

Pork seminars

The seminars planned cover a wide array of important pork topics. Below is a schedule and topic description of seminars.

- Ag Siting: Where are We Today? - Thursday, Jan. 24 at 12:15 p.m. Producers across the state have learned a lot about the ag siting law, and how it can help them in their plans for expansion. Hear our panel speak to the successes of ag siting to date, how local government is implementing and using the law, and what the challenges have been. Panel speakers include Dave Jelinski, DATCP, director of Land and Water Resource Bureau; Sue Porter, DATCP nutrient management specialist; and Jordan Lamb, DeWitt, Ross, & Stevens.

- Emergency Action Plans: What's Available to Help Minimize the Impacts - Thursday, Jan. 24 at 1:30 p.m. This helpful seminar will focus on key tips, contacts, and resources you should have available at your farm to focus on emergencies. Producers will have the opportunity to learn more about developing emergency action plans for their farming operations. From animal emergencies, like barn fires or power outages, to manure spills, this seminar will provide a toolbox for you to begin to develop a plan for your operation. Speakers for the program are Paul Kivlin, nutrient and pest management regional specialist, UW-Extension; and Blake Reding, consultant/partner, REL Productions.

- Applying Manure on Fragile Soils - Friday, Jan. 25 at 10:30 a.m. - will help to identify the risks of land application of manure on fragile soils across the state, and address what those involved in agriculture can do to minimize those risks. Manure management continues to be a hot topic for the livestock industry across the state of Wisconsin. Producers will get a scientific review from one of the most respected scientists in ARS, Dr. Jerry Hatfield of the National Soil Tilth Lab in Ames, Iowa. In addition, Dennis Frame, Discovery Farms co-director, will provide an overview of their recent research that has identified critical time periods and practices for applying manure in Wisconsin.

General sessions

John Phipps, host of U.S. Farm Report will present the Thursday, Jan. 24 general session - The Prediction Problem: Why the Future Isn't What It Used to Be. The session begins at 9:30 a.m.

Friday's general session will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will feature Elwynn Taylor, Iowa State University Agricultural Meteorologist. Taylor will not only discuss weather trends and forecasts, but will also discuss their potential impact on crop and pest conditions.

WPA Annual Meeting

The WPA Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 24, beginning at 2:45 p.m. Items on the agenda include setting polices for the upcoming year, voting on pork industry resolutions, selecting producers to represent the industry on the WPA Board, and voting on National Pork Board delegates. Industry awards will be presented for the WPA Distinguished Service - Industry and Producer, Friend of the Industry, Environmental Steward, and Agri-Communicator. Youth participating in the 2007 WPA Scholarship program will also be honored.

Taste of Elegance, Pie Auction

This year celebrates the 20th Annual Taste of Elegance contest. It will be held on Thursday evening, Jan. 24. Eight chefs will showcase their creative new pork entrees during a reception beginning at 6:15 p.m. Those in attendance will be able to sample the chefs' creations, and vote on their favorite for the People's Choice award. Over $1,500 in prizes will be awarded to these chefs for their original dishes. The winning chef will receive $750 and an opportunity to compete for a $5000 grand prize at the National Taste of Elegance event, hosted by the National Pork Board and the Pork Checkoff.

Following the Taste of Elegance, WPA will host its annual Pie Auction. Industry organizations and individuals are invited to bid on the delicious pies, with all funds going to youth education programs and scholarships for the pork industry.

Strategic Investment breakfast

Pork producers who are enrolled in the National Pork Producers Council Strategic Investment Program are invited to take part in a breakfast on Friday morning, Jan. 25. Investors will be updated on legislative activities supported with their contribution to the SIP. Updates will include planning for the 2008 Farm Bill, updates from the NPPC Washington D.C. office, and in-depth review of Wisconsin legislative efforts.

Registration details

The full program brochure and registration details are posted on the WPA website at http://www.wppa.org. Two-day, advance registration for the WPA Business Conference is $80 for those holding current membership in the Wisconsin Pork Association. Non-member registration is $130 for the 2-day event package. Single day registration and spouse packages also are available and all registrations include lunch, coffee breaks, trade show access and admission to the Taste of Elegance. In addition, any pork producer who signs-up for the SIP program, or is already an investor, will receive a $50 discount on their Expo registration.

Hotel reservations

To make your hotel reservation for the Wisconsin Pork Industry Annual Business Conference, contact the Kalahari Resort at 877-253-5466, and ask for the Pork/WASA/Corn/Soy room block, which offers a $99 room rate.

For more details or with questions, contact the Wisconsin Pork Association at 800-822-7675 (in state), 608-723-7551, or go to http://www.wppa.org.

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