Advanced Reproductive Management Seminars

Pork producers are invited to attend either of two workshops focusing on advanced swine reproductive management topics scheduled for next month in northwest and northeast Iowa. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Iowa Pork Industry Center and Iowa Pork Producers Association are sponsoring the seminars in Le Mars and Waverly.

Dates and specific locations are Wednesday, June 10 at the Le Mars Convention Center, 275 12th St SE, and Thursday, June 11 at the Waverly Civic Center, 200 1st St. NE. Registration at both sites begins at 9:30 a.m. with the first session starting at 10 a.m. The event concludes with a question-and-answer session at 3 p.m.

Keynote speaker is Larry Coleman, DVM, of Broken Bow, Nebraska, with the topic of “No Pig Left Behind: Increasing Piglet Survival in the Farrowing House.” He will explain how using proper management swine producers should be able to decrease stillbirths and pre-weaning mortality, while weaning 14 pigs per litter and achieving 35 pigs per sow per year. Coleman also will present, “Increasing Employee Success:  Is There a Silver Bullet?”

Jason Ross, assistant professor of animal science at Iowa State, will provide a technology update, present information on a “summer heat impact on fertility” study, and offer ideas to improve reproductive performance.

ISUEO Swine Field Specialists will provide awareness of the sow caliper, a tool to accurately manage sow body condition scores and manage feed costs.  The tool was developed by Mark Knauer, North Carolina State University Extension Swine Specialist. Dave Stender will present at the Le Mars location and Mark Storlie will present at the Waverly location.

Cost is $30 per person, which includes lunch and materials. A multiple-attendee discount is available by contacting the specific location you want to attend. Preregistration is strongly encouraged to assure an accurate meal count. More details and a registration form are available in the Le Mars location brochure and the Waverly location brochure.