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The theme of this year's conference, "Building Blocks for the Future," provided participants with practical ideas and information to help them gain perspective on the industry and improve production.

"The conference brings high calibre speakers and topics to Ontario producers," says Janet Schell, nutritionist with Wallenstein Feed and Supply Ltd, a sponsor of this year's conference. "As industry we want to support this."

Featured speakers included Michael Brumm, University of Nebraska, Colin Whittemore, University of Edinburgh and Theo van Kempen, North Carolina State University. Topics covered such areas as environmental management, disease challenges and decision making based on economics.

"The conference provides good take-home information that I can deliver to my clients," says Dr. Paul Morris, a swine veterinarian based in London. Producers particularly enjoyed the introductory talk, saying it gave them a Canadian perspective on the North American market.

The interactive session on risk management -- a pork producer's prospective, was well received by the participants. "The direct approach of the speakers showed opportunities (in the industry) and how easily they can be missed," says producer Tony Stam, who runs a 500 sow farrow-to-finish operation in Haldimand County.

The conference's growing success has initiated the move to a larger lecture theatre for next year. Wellington County pork producer and President, John Archibald feels this growth is a positive step towards connecting more farmers with technology and information in the pork industry.

The conference was organized by Ontario Pork, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the University of Guelph, and aims to provide the swine industry with high quality information, accelerate the implementation of new technologies, facilitate the exchange of ideas and to improve the Ontario swine industry.

For more information:

Clare Illingworth
London Swine Conference
Media Relations
519-824-4120, ext. 53511

or

Lilian Schaer, Ontario Pork
London Swine Conference
Promotions Committee
519-767-4600
email: [email protected]

Source: Ontario Pork - 6th April 2004