Minnesota Pork Congress

Tuesday, January 15

    Award Reception (Invitation Only)

        5-6:30 p.m.
        Hilton Hotel, Room Symphony III

    Taste of Elegance (Invitation Only)
    Celebrating 25 years!

        6:30 p.m.
        Hilton Ballroom D-G

        Emcee: Tom Rothman
        Sponsors: Gislason & Hunter LLC, Hubbard Feeds Inc. Rabo AgriFinance, Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc.

Wednesday, January 16

Pork Congress Registration Opens

        9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
        Minneapolis Convention Center - Mezzanine Level

Tradeshow Opens

        9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
        Minneapolis Convention Center - Exhibit Hall A

Seminar: Messages that Resonate With Consumers

    9-10:00 a.m. Room L100 I
    Presenter: Jarrod Sutton, National Pork Board Assistant Vice President, Foodservice, Retail and Channel Marketing
    Sponsor: John Morrell

        What we say and what the consumer hears can often be two very different things. We use terms such as pork producer and pork industry to help consumers understand modern food production practices, but what do these positive sounding phrases mean to consumers? National Pork Board staff member Jarrod Sutton will discuss research showing that, for consumers, these words communicate negative images of animal agriculture. This seminar will provide alternative messages that inspire positive perceptions about how pig farmers care for their animals.

Seminar: Operation Main Street Refresher Course

    10-11:45 a.m. Room L100 I
    Presenter: Al Eidson, principal of Eidson and Partners, Fairway, Kansas

        The Operation Main Street Refresher Course will give members of the OMS speaker core an opportunity to hear updates on pork industry topics and issues, share presentation ideas and learn what's ahead for OMS speaker outreach. This seminar is also open to non-OMS-trained speakers who have an interest in the program or who would like to learn more about communicating their story to the general public.

Seminar: Financial and Management Planning for Young Producers  

10-11 a.m. Room L100 F-G
    Presenter: Dr. David Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Agricultural Finance and Small Business Management, Virginia Tech

        In this session, Dr. Kohl will cover the basics of operating your farm business effectively. He will focus on reading balance sheets, income statements and cash flows and cover the golden rules of managing your operation during challenging times. Discover your business success formula while learning guidelines to help manage your farming operation.

Seminar: What to Expect in the 2013 State Legislative Session

    10-11 a.m. Room L100 H
    Panelists: Sen. Dan Spark (District 27 - Austin), Rep. Rod Hamilton (District 22B - Mountain Lake), Rep. Jeanne Poppe (District 27B - Austin) (invited), Commissioner Dave Frederickson, Minnesota Department of Agriculture (invited)
    Sponsor: Minnesota Farm Bureau

        The recent elections have shifted the balance of power at the state legislature. There is a new majority, new committee chairs and first-term legislators who will get their crack at making policy while balancing the $1 billion budget deficit. Our legislative panelists will share their thoughts on the potential affect all these changes will have on agriculture during the 2013 state legislative session.

Keynote Address

Good to Great in Agriculture: Vision 2020

    Noon-1:30 p.m. Room L100 F-G
    Presenter: Dr. David Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Agricultural Finance and Small Business Management, Virginia Tech
    Sponsor: AgStar Financial Services

        Welcome to the wild world of global and domestic economics with "black swans" or unusual events around every corner. Dr. Kohl will discuss the major game changers influencing the agricultural landscape, along with a quick tour of how world economics influences land values, commodities and input costs. Dr. Kohl will give valuable insight to complex questions such as whether agriculture is an asset or credit bubble, what are the top challenges facing the agricultural industry in the next five years and where is the U.S. economy heading. Improving your economic literacy is not a boring venture when Dr. Kohl has the microphone. This is a do-not-miss program that is critical to managing your farm business and your household.

Manure Applicators Workshop

    Noon-5 p.m. Mezzanine Level, Room 100

        The Manure Applicators Workshop is for individuals who are certified commercial animal waste applicators who need continuing education hours and livestock producers who want to learn more about developments in manure application.

Noon.          Certified Animal Waste Technician Licensing and Certification

        Presenter: Kay Sargeant, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Pesticide and Fertilizer Division

            Sargeant will open the workshop with an update on the CWAT program, including licensing and certification requirements.

12:20 p.m.   Regulatory Update: Setbacks and Manure Planning

        Presenter: Wayne Cords, Feedlot Program, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

            Cords will review current MPCA requirements for manure management plans, permits, record keeping, reporting and manure transfer, plus provide audience members with an update on other MPCA regulations that are relevant to manure management and application.

1:05 p.m.    Managing Nitrogen and Phosphorus Credits

        Presenter: Grant Pearson, Nutrient Management Specialist, USDA-NRCS

            Properly managed nitrogen and phosphorus credits help ensure that manure application rates will meet the crop nutrient needs while avoiding over-application and the potential for nutrient runoff.

2 p.m.   Highway Safety. Highway Law.

        Presenter: Minnesota Department of Transportation

            A representative from the Minnesota Department of Transportation will provide participants with highway safety information and updates on laws that are applicable to custom manure applicators.

3 p.m.    Precision Ag

        Presenter: Jose Hernandez, Extension Educator, Nutrient Management, University of Minnesota

            Find out how to optimize your precision agriculture practices and manure application for maximum value-added nutrient management that is environmentally and economically beneficial.

3:30 p.m.    Biosecurity and PRRS Virus Prevention

        Presenter: Dr. David Wright, DVM, Voluntary Regional PRRS Elimination Project Coordinator

            Manure applicator's biosecurity practices can help prevent a costly PRRS outbreak on a hog farm. Wright will discuss the important role that custom applicators can play in controlling the introduction of the PRRS virus, recommend biosecurity measures that applicators should consider, and explain how to implement these practices.

4 p.m.    How to Put What We Learned Into Practice

            The workshop wraps-up with a panel of custom manure applicators giving their thoughts on how to incorporate the workshop topics into their daily business practices.

Managing High Feed Costs

    2-3 p.m. L100 F-G
    Presenter: Dr. Joel DeRouchey, Professor and Swine Extension Specialist, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas

        High feed costs caused by last summer's drought and other factors have had a major influence on pork producers potential for profits. Dr. DeRouchey will explore management options to consider when dealing with higher feed costs. In addition, he will cover the need to balance animal performance with the various challenges associated with alternative feed ingredients.

Market Outlook

    4-5 p.m. L100 F-G
    Presenter: Steve Meyer, President of Paragon Economics

        What's in store for the hog markets in 2013? Meyer will cover several factors influencing your bottom line, including grain supplies and prices, protein demand, hog price and supply projections, consumer trends and pork exports. Meyer will address 2013 crop scenarios, pending trade agreements and the farm bill.

Wednesday Evening Social Hour

    5:15 p.m.   Hilton Salons D-G
    Sponsor:  Pfizer Animal Health and Hormel

Thursday, January 17

Pork Congress Registration

    9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Mezzanine Level

Tradeshow

    9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall A

PRRS Elimination Efforts

    9:30-10:30 a.m. L100 F-G
    Presenters: Dr. David Wright, DVM, Voluntary Regional PRRS Elimination Project Coordinator; Dr. Kurt Rossow, DVM, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Minnesota; Dr. Scott Dee, DVM, Director of Swine Research for Pipestone Veterinary Clinic, Pipestone, Minn.

        PRRS continues to be a significant challenge for pork producers. Dr. Wright will give an update on the N212 (North of Highway 212) PRRS Elimination Project, including strategies that have effectively increased producer cooperation. Dr. Rossow will discuss the development of a PRRS mapping database to assist in the sharing of information for producers and their veterinarians who voluntarily participate. Dr. Dee will share the latest in PRRS prevention research.

The Future of Antibiotic Use in Pork Production

    11 a.m.-Noon L100 F-G
    Presenter: Dr. Liz Wagstrom, Chief Veterinarian, National Pork Producers Council, Washington, D.C.

        The use of antibiotics in livestock production has been under scrutiny from consumers and some federal lawmakers. This pressure has already resulted in some changes from the Food and Drug Administration. Will the use of antimicrobials that are important to pork production be further restricted or even eliminated? Dr. Wagstrom will offer some insight into the future of antibiotic use in pork production and how possible future decisions may affect your animal care practices.

Swine Production Benchmarks

    12:30-1:30 p.m. L100 F-G
    Presenter: Dr. Mike Brumm, Brumm Swine Consultancy, North Mankato, Minn.

        Benchmarking is commonly spoken of but rarely implemented in pork production. The reason benchmarking works is it provides a tool to see beyond our current practices. Individuals become so focused and o entrenched in their operation they fail to see other ways to improve productivity and profitability. Brumm will provide swine production benchmark information and tips for applying this information on your farm.

Minnesota Pork Congress Closes at 1:30 p.m.