Washington Swine Information Day Set for Feb. 6 in Pasco

PULLMAN, Wash. – Pork producers will learn about emerging issues in their industry at the Washington Swine Information Day from 8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, at the Red Lion Hotel in Pasco.

The event will offer educational sessions of interest to pork producers of any age and scale, including 4-H youth, according to Sarah M. Smith, Washington State University Grant and Adams area Extension educator.

The agenda includes presentations on alternative feed strategies, economic outlook of pork and feed costs, mandatory county of origin labeling, bench marking standards of pork produced by Washington pork producers, how to manage mortalities on-farm, and local Farm Service Agency programs for swine producers

The event’s feature speaker will Mark Boggess, director of animal science for the National Pork Board. He will discuss opportunities and challenges for individuals pursuing various niche marketing opportunities in the Pacific Northwest.

The 2009 Swine Information Day will also feature topics of interest to the growing show pig industry in the Northwest and individuals associated with this segment as volunteers, educators, producers, judges or stakeholders. Boggess will discuss their roles and the responsibility of show pig industry to the food animal industry and the future of livestock exhibitions.

The day will conclude with “Rapid Fire Updates” about critical and emerging issues to youth swine producers, show management and the show pig industry.

The all-day registration fee of $40 includes the seminar, Washington Pork Producer membership, break, lunch, and handouts. An afternoon registration fee of $15 is available to individuals who would like to participate in the niche marketing and show pig sessions. A special room rate of $85 for the seminar is available by contacting the Red Lion, (509) 547-0701.

Additional funding for this event was made available by Pork Checkoff funding. For complete agenda and registration information visit, www.animalag.wsu.edu or contact the WSU Extension Office–Grant/Adams, Sarah M. Smith, at (509) 754-2011, Ext. 413 or by email at smithsm@wsu.edu.

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