Michigan Pork Industry Events Slated for January & February

  Several key pork industry events will be held during January and February in Michigan. The Green and White Swine Youth Education Fair and Open Market Hog Show will be held on January 27-28, 2012, at the Michigan State University Livestock Pavilion in East Lansing. On February 23, 2012, the Professional Pork Producer’s Symposium will take place at the Lansing Convention Center in Lansing and will be followed by the always popular Taste of Elegance Restaurant competition where top chefs from around the state will compete for the title of creator of the best new pork entrée of the year. The events are sponsored by Michigan Pork Producers Association (MPPA), the National Pork Checkoff Board, Michigan State University Extension and Elanco Animal Health. 

 The Green and White Swine Youth Education Fair is open to all Michigan Youth that have reached their 9^th birthday and are not 21 by January 1, 2012. The fair includes a hog show, showmanship contest, quiz bowl competition, essay and Power Point contests. A competition to select the recipients of several MPPA scholarships will also be held during the Green and White Youth Education Fair on January 28. Youth interested in agriculture that are either high school seniors; or freshmen, sophomores or juniors in college are eligible to apply. Applications can be obtained from MPPA.

“Home Front,” a phrase frequently used to describe an ‘active support system,’ is the title for the 2012 Professional Pork Producers Symposium.  This year's Symposium will feature topics focused around strengthening the production infrastructure on the farm. Dr. Larry Granger, Director of the Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health for USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in Fort Collins, Colo., will discuss how producers benefit from participation in USDA surveys.  Director Keith Creagh will share what the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is doing and plans to do in 2012 to promote agricultural development, safeguard the environment and ensure food safety. Mr. John Goihl, internationally known columnist for FEEDSTUFFS magazine, will bring to light practical nutrition approaches for pork production; including: improving feed efficiency, identifying when optimal performance may be better than maximal performance, and updating issues around feedstuff selection and packer pork quality programs. Ms. Hinda Mitchell, CMA Consulting of Columbus Ohio, will discuss the dos and don'ts in hiring new employees and why screening of prospective employees is very important. Attendees will have an opportunity to attend two breakout sessions during the afternoon program. “Understanding Behavior Can Make Moving Hogs a Lot Easier,” will be presented by Dr. Janice Siegford, MSU Department of Animal Science. Dr. Scott Dee, Research Director at Pipestone Veterinary Clinic, Pipestone, Minn., who is a world-renown expert in PRRS management, will lead a session discussing filtration systems and other approaches to eradicate and minimize the effects of PRRS. Members of the MSU Pork Team: Jerry May, Dr. Ron Bates and Dr. Dale Rozeboom will combine to address a session focused on both manure management and castration. The Symposium provides producers an opportunity to learn a lot about a wide-array of topics, all of which are important in the day-to-day operation of a swine farm. The February 23rd Symposium brings together speakers from both the academic and business worlds in order to better prepare producers for the challenges they face in their quest to produce the world’s pork supply.

 During the Awards Luncheon at noon, MPPA will recognize Basil Sidney Bassage, Jr, of Montgomery, Mich., as the Swine Herd Manager of the Year. Greg Heinze, of Six Lakes, Mich., has been named Contract Grower of the Year and Dennis DeYoung, Plainwell, Mich., has been selected to receive the 2012 Michigan Master Pork Producer Award. The Master Pork Producer Award is given annually by MPPA to producers who have demonstrated skills in proficient pork production and taken an active leadership role in the pork industry. MPPA’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, is given by the organization to individuals who have made significant contributions to the pork industry. Receiving this honor in 2012 is Al Snedegar, Swine Herdsman at the Michigan State University Swine Teaching and Research Farm. Featured speaker at the Awards Luncheon will be National Pork Board Chief Executive Officer, Chris Novak, who will update producers on checkoff promotion, marketing and research programs and discuss the pork industry’s involvement in the newly formed U.S. Farmers and Rancher’s Alliance (USFRA). USFRA consists of a wide range of prominent farmer, and rancher-led organizations and agricultural partners that have come togetherto lead the dialogue and answer Americans’ questions about how farmers raise their food – while being stewards of the environment, responsibly caring for their animals and maintaining strong businesses and communities.

  Also on February 23^rd at the Lansing Convention Center, the annual Taste of Elegance restaurant competition will be held at 3:00 p.m. According to MPPA Executive Director Mary Kelpinski, fifteen chefs from some of Michigan’s finest restaurants will compete during this year’s event where they will prepare original pork recipes. The winning chef will receive $1000.           

Click Here for a complete agenda for the symposium and registration information.