The National Pork Producers Council offers opportunities for learning and networking with a series of business seminars during the 2011 World Pork Expo. These free seminars feature discussions about risk management, pig nutrition and health, and anaerobic manure digestion. Expo-goers will find these business seminars, which are sponsored by five leading companies, in the Varied Industries Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 June.

"Producers throughout the world come to World Pork Expo for one reason: to see what's state-of-the-art in pork production and technology," says NPPC President, Doug Wolf of Lancaster, Wisconsin, when talking about World Pork Expo's seminars and trade show. "It's a chance to hear experts present the latest information, then talk with them face-to-face."

Business seminars tackle a variety of management topics

Manure digester systems – real-world case studies, what is important to consider and resources that are available – are the focus of Thursday morning's seminar sponsored by AgSTAR. The speakers include Jerry Foster, Cargill Pork LLC; Norma McDonald, Organic Waste Systems; Shannon Chase, US Department of Agriculture; and Allison Costa, AgSTAR.

Wednesday afternoon, sponsor TechMix Inc. is using a 'training camp' theme to discuss preparing pigs for optimal performance. Paul Rhoads, Iowa State University head football coach, joins these speakers for the seminar: Dr Steve Patterson, Northeast Veterinary Service, Shelbina, Missouri; Dr Mark Bertram, First Choice Livestock LLC; Bob Lantz, Chr Hansen Animal Health & Nutrition; and Todd Rasmussen and Brent Ratliff, Techmix.

Cargill begins its Thursday afternoon seminar with a discussion about managing ingredient adversity in a volatile world by nutritionists, Dr Kevin Touchette and Dr Ken Mooney. Then, Matt Leininger and Terry Mahoney will talk about proactively managing market exposure and strategies for reducing capital needs.

The effects of PCV2 on finishing pig growth performance, and options for PCV2 and Mhp vaccination headline the business seminar sponsored by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health. Veterinarians Dr Brad Thacker, Dr Charlie Francisco and Dr Rich Schlueter from Intervet/Schering-Plough will present this information on Wednesday morning.

On both days, CME Group is sponsoring presentations on risk management for pork producers. Thomas Clark from CME Group will discuss trading tools, hedging and how to develop a marketing plan.

Business seminar & Pork Academy details are available

More details about these business seminars are available at www.worldpork.org. You will also find information there about Pork Academy seminars at World Pork Expo on 8 and 9 June. Sponsored by the National Pork Board, these educational topics range from the latest about PRRS, to managing feed costs and efficiencies while putting US pork on the world's table.

World Pork Expo takes place on 8 to 10 June at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. More than 450 commercial exhibits will be on display from 08:00 to 17:00 on Wednesday 8 June and Thursday 9 June, as well as from 08:00 to 13:00 on Friday 10 June. The breeding stock sales will continue on Saturday 11 June from 08:00 until they are completed (at approximately 12:00).

World Pork Expo, the world's largest pork-specific trade show, is brought to you by the National Pork Producers Council. On behalf of its members, NPPC develops and defends export markets, fights for reasonable legislation and regulation, and informs and educates legislators.