By MEGGIE I. FOSTER
Assistant Editor

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Despite rumors that the U.S. hog industry may be on the road to recovery in 2011, many producers are still seeking answers to ongoing economic, regulatory and production challenges. The Central Indiana Pork Confer-ence, presented by Purdue University Extension, will help address these issues on Feb. 2 at Rossville High School in Rossville, Ind. from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

“2010 was the first year pork producers have made a profit as an industry since 2007,” said Curt Emanuel, Purdue Extension educator in Clinton County. “However, rising feed costs resulting from the recent rapid increase in corn and soybean prices are threatening balance sheets again in 2011. This conference will help producers explore the existing opportunities for improving profitability.”
Included will be a 2011 pork industry outlook by Purdue Extension agricultural economist Chris Hurt. Brian Richert, Purdue Extension swine specialist, will present DDGS: How High Can You Go and How Much Does It Save You?

“Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with other producers and with leading pork industry professionals,” Emanuel said. “The sessions will offer tools to help producers enhance their competitiveness in the coming year, and the speakers will help them understand the state of the industry, political initiatives and challenges, trends for the coming year, and production issues like herd health, feeding and nutrition.”

Registration, due Jan. 28, is $20 per person and includes conference materials, refreshments and lunch. Late registration is accepted, but lunch is not guaranteed. Registration forms and additional conference information are available online at www.ag.purdue.edu/ counties/clinton/Pages/CIPC.aspx