WPA Making Plans For Annual Business Conference

By Tammy Vaassen
Thursday, December 11, 2008 8:28 AM CST

The Wisconsin Pork Association is very excited to again be hosting its 2009 Annual Business Conference in conjunction with the Corn/Soy Expo. This exciting event will be held on Jan. 29-30 at the Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells.

Pork producers will be provided with several industry seminars focusing on current industry issues. In addition, all registered guests have the opportunity to attend the vast trade show, featuring booths from the various industries that are participating in the event n corn, soybean, pork, feed, seed, grain and farm supply. There are currently over 140 booths that will fill the trade show area, providing key agricultural networking contacts for future business changes planned on your operation.

The seminar list that WPA has developed is strong. A “Pork Industry Roundtable” has been scheduled to kick-off the list. First, pork producers can meet the new CEO of the National Pork Board, Chris Novak, and receive updates on Pork Checkoff accomplishments and plans for the upcoming year. In addition, Dallas Hockman with the National Pork Producers Council will give an update on mandatory country-of-origin labeling in the pork industry, as well as review the Responsible Pork Initiative unveiled this year by both national organizations.

Other participants in the roundtable include updates on state legislative issues for 2009 from DeWitt, Ross and Stevens staff, and an update on programs of the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence.

Another seminar slated for the program includes “Updates on health: Managing with Circovirus and other bad bugs.” Dr. Peter Bahnson, UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, will discuss the current status of PRRS, Circovirus, and other diseases affecting Wisconsin’s swine herd.

In addition, Robert Fourdraine, Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium, will review progress made on premises registration and individual animal identification projects.

Finally, producers will get insight into strategies to reduce feed costs and considerations in using DDGS in a program presented by Dr. James Pettigrew, University of Illinois, and Dr. Tom Crenshaw, UW-Madison. Pettigrew will review tips for formulating least cost hog rations and strategies for using alternative feeds. Crenshaw will summarize the good, the bad, and the ugly on feeding DDGS to pigs. Areas to be addressed will include - what we know about use of corn co-products in swine diets, limitations in nutrients and competition for energy, and the impact on global food supplies.

Any pork producer who needs to complete their certification in the Pork Quality Assurance Plus Program will also have an opportunity to do so at the conference. A session is planned for Friday afternoon, Jan. 30.

Individuals who are registered for the event can participate in any of the seminars offered, including those of the corn and soybean organizations. Some of those topics include: crop input costs, maximizing yields in continuous corn, risks and rewards in battling plant pests, understanding farm programs, mastering marketing emotions, fungicides on corn, and making the most of fertility dollars.

Several big names in agriculture will be attending the conference to provide updates on a number of areas. Areas of highlight include:

US Farm Report Broadcast - this weekly television show, featuring Al Pell, will record live on Thursday, Jan. 29. Other speakers in this session include major market analysts Elaine Kub, DTN; Mike North, First Capitol Ag; and Brian Bastings, Advance Trading. Plus watch a special issues roundtable featuring Wisconsin commodity group presidents.

What’s ahead for U.S. Agriculture? Barry Flinchbaugh, ag policy specialist and Kansas State University agriculture economist, provides his unique and engaging insight into what the new administration means for agriculture and Al Ambrose, vice president of Risk Management with CHS, discusses trade implications.

The final day of the conference will feature Trent Loos, a rancher, host of the "Loos Tales" radio show, public speaker and founder of Faces of Agriculture, which puts the human element back into food production. Listen to Trent’s engaging presentation on why we all need to be champions for agriculture in today’s world.

More details on the schedule and registration information can be received by going to the Wisconsin Pork Association website at www.wppa.org, or by calling the office at 800-822-7675 (in-state) or 608-723-7551.

Our staff and board wishes everyone a wonderful holiday season n may you enjoy the time with family and friends!

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