By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Global perspectives on the pork industry, effects of alternative housing systems on sow well-being and what to do about foaming manure pits will be among the topics addressed by experts during the 2010 Illinois Pork Expo, to be held at the Peoria Civic Center and Hotel Pere Marquette Tuesday, Feb. 2 and Wednesday, Feb. 3.
However, the most compelling issue facing pork producers to be addressed during the annual gathering could be the concentrated attack against animal agriculture by groups such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and similar organizations, according to Illinois Pork Producers Assoc. (IPPA) officials and Dr. Wes Jamison of Palm Beach Atlantic University, the expo’s keynote speaker.
“We’ve got one of the best lineups of speakers we’ve ever had, from top to bottom,” said Tim Maiers, communications director for IPPA. “Dr. Wes Jamison has done a lot of research on the issue of animal welfare and how the HSUS mixes animals, politics and religion in their campaign. “The biggest long-term issue we are looking at could be animal welfare. As we look on the horizon, the animal welfare-rights issue is one we think we need to be proactive on as an organization and get producers up to speed on what we’re trying to get to get done in Illinois.
“Aside from producers getting through these difficult financial times, (animal welfare is) probably the biggest issue we have to deal with – no doubt about it.”
Jamison’s presentation, titled “Ready for Combustion: Animals, Politics, Religion and the HSUS Campaign to Demoralize Agriculture,” includes strategies for producers and organizations such as the IPPA to refute and combat attacks on their industry, Maiers added. Jamison’s presentation will be delivered at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 3.
Other speakers scheduled for the Illinois Pork Expo include Ashley DeDecker, a graduate student from the University of Illinois (UoI), who will provide a pork industry update and Dr. Ted Funk, UoI Extension ag engineering specialist (Manure Pits Foaming: Why Now, What to Do About It?).
Additionally, Bob Morrison, University of Minnesota (Greenhouse Gases and Carbon Credits: What Pork Producers Need to Know), Phil Seng, CEO, U.S. Meat Export Federation (Global Perspective on the Pork Industry), Chad Gregory, vice president of United Egg Products (HSUS: A Clear and Present Danger), and IPPA Executive Director Jim Kaitschuk (What Have We Been Doing and What Should We Do in Illinois?).
“Working Through Challenging Times” is the theme of the 2010 Illinois Pork Expo. The slightly scaled-down, more efficient expo schedule for this year mirrors changes in the economy to better suit farmers and others who travel from all points of Illinois for the event. “We’ve changed the format this year, and scheduled all of the seminars on Wednesday (Feb. 3). We’ve basically cut part of a day from the show to save costs and time for exhibitors and producers,” Maiers explained. Changes to the expo’s format include scheduling the IPPA’s annual meeting for Tuesday, holding the trade show on Tuesday afternoon (2-6 p.m.) and a full day on Wednesday, and presenting all educational seminars on Wednesday. The Illinois Pork Expo remains the largest pork-specific trade show in Illinois.
One aspect of the expo that will not change is the IPPA’s commitment to youth-focused purebred and show pig production, with several guest speakers scheduled for the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 3. Dan Jennings of the UoI Extension will offer updates on state fair regulations at 9:30 a.m., followed by other purebred and showpig experts offering philosophies and advice for establishing and improving a sow herd.
“We’ve got three top-notch breeders from across the country coming in for the showpig seminar and youth seminars,” said Maiers, referring to guest speakers Steve Cobb of Lake City, Arkansas, Jim McCoy of Bloominburg, Ohio, and Dave Kilmer of Monticello, Ind. “These guys have a lot of experience and will share their knowledge of how to improve a sow herd, whether just starting a herd or trying to improve an existing one.”
Educating youth on how to develop an elite set of females in order to get started in the showpig industry will be the mission of the three breeders, who together represent over 100 years of combined experience in the field.
The UoI Research and Extension Information Center will return to the trade show floor, offering producers a chance to discuss with UoI extension staff issues such as reproduction, feeding and nutrition, manure management, sow housing and other aspects of their operations.
The annual IPPA awards program and dinner, preceded by a social mixer, will be held the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 2 at the Hotel Pere Marquette. During the “Generations of Commitment” recognition program, the retiring Illinois Pork Ambassador will be feted. 2009 County Ambassadors will be acknowledged, IPPA awards will be presented and the IPPA’s Illinois Pork Producer Family of the Year will be honored.
To download the full itinerary for the 2010 Illinois Pork Expo, visit the IPPA’s website at www.ilpork.com |
