Pork Academy
Join Pork Checkoff for Pork Academy sessions to gain solutions for your farm, expert insights, and chances to win unique pork-inspired prizes! The more sessions you attend, the more chances you have to win. Follow us on Facebook (@ThePorkCheckoff), Twitter (@PorkCheckoff), and LinkedIn (National Pork Board) for more details.
Wednesday, June 7
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Porkonomics: An Economic Outlook for the Pork Industry
What does demand look like for pork internationally and here in the U.S.? How are prices impacting markets and pork consumption? Join Dr. Steve Meyer and Dr. Lee Schulz for an interactive session providing an economic outlook for the pork industry. Gain short and long-term insights for your operation.
Speakers: Dr. Steve Meyer, Lead Economist, Partners for Production Agriculture and Dr. Lee Schulz, Associate Professor, Iowa State University
Sponsored by: National Pork Board
Varied Industries Building, Meeting Room C
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Is Gene Editing the Next Frontier?
Could advancements in gene editing in swine improve animal and human health, sustainability, and food and agricultural production? Hear from experts across the pork supply chain as they outline the potential of gene editing and its impact to farm businesses. From producer opportunities to consumer acceptance, this panel brings decades of experience analyzing new innovations and technologies.
Moderator: Bill Even, CEO, National Pork Board
Panelists: Mike Paustian, Pork Producer; Randy Riley, President, GoldenSun Insights; and Evan Grusenmeyer, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Missouri
Sponsored by: National Pork Board
Varied Industries Building, Meeting Room D
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
FAD Defense: From Ag K9s to On-Farm Solutions
Protecting your farm and the U.S. herd from Foreign animal disease begins at all U.S. points of entry, continues to every swine operation, and includes important preparation steps for the best response if an outbreak does occur. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the four-legged protection team of the Agriculture Canines (Ag K9) who provide daily monitoring to stop foreign pork products from entering the country. Hear from members of Customs and Border Protection about how they approach their role of protecting the U.S. pork industry, including the training of these skilled dogs. Gain insights and solutions to prevent and prepare for an FAD on your own farm from Dr. Lisa Becton, who was recently named Technical Services/Allied Industry Veterinarian of the Year by the American Association of Swine Veterinarians.
Speaker: Customs and Border Protection representative and Dr. Lisa Becton, Director of Swine Health, National Pork Board
Sponsored by: National Pork Board
Varied Industries Building, Meeting Room C
Thursday, June 8
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Using Your Sustainability Data to Protect Your Farm’s Legacy
Your farm and the progress you’ve made matter. Protecting your history and sustaining the future of your farm doesn’t have to be complex. Join our panel of experts as they share the latest tools and solutions for producers to benchmark their on-farm practices. Hear how others in the supply chain use data to make decisions that benefit their farm, the industry and the environment.
Moderator: Stephanie Wisdom, Director of Animal Welfare, National Pork Board
Panelists: Randy Spronk, Pork Producer, Spronk Brothers III LLP; Sarah Klopatek, Chief Livestock Scientist, JBS; and Erica Lain, Sustainability Manager, Iowa Select Farms
Sponsored by: National Pork Board
Varied Industries Building, Meeting Room B
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Advancing Profits and Sustainability by Improving Pig Survivability
Since it started in 2018, the “Improving Pig Survivability” project has worked towards the goal of reducing mortality in the U.S. swine industry. Using interdisciplinary research, collaborating with producers, and seeking the support of allied industry partners, the team has identified strategies to maximize pig survivability. Hear from the key investigators as they share their findings and explain practices you can take back to your operation. This project is funded by the National Pork Board and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR).
Speakers: Dr. Jason Ross, Associate Professor, Iowa State University; Dr. Joel DeRouchey, Professor, Kansas State University; Dr. Mike Tokach, University Distinguished Professor and extension specialist, Kansas State University; Dr. Chris Rademacher, Clinical Associate Professor, Iowa State University; Dr. Jordan Gebhardt, Assistant Professor, Kansas State University; and Dr. Laura Greiner, Assistant Professor, Iowa State University
Sponsored by: National Pork Board
Varied Industries Building, Meeting Room C
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Global Pork Market Update and Opportunities
Understand and explore the current and future state of the global pork market and anticipated opportunities and challenges ahead. This session will feature distinguished speakers from National Pork Board's strategic partner Gira Food, a leading consultancy firm specializing in livestock and meat globally. Join us as they discuss international influences impacting the industry’s ability to compete and add value through exports of pork and pork products around the world, with an emphasis on the outlook for China.
Speakers: Rupert Claxton, Meat Director, Gira Food and Richard Herzfelder, Senior Consultant, Gira Food
Sponsored by: National Pork Board
Varied Industries Building, Meeting Room B
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Proving the Industry’s Chops: Tackling a 30-year Challenge
You don’t have to tell us that market changes and demand for pork are top-of-mind issues for producers. Positioning pork effectively, both in the case and in promotion, influence customer demand and may add value to the product. Join our expert panel as they share about the market situation and pork’s role within it, consumer insights from the Checkoff-funded retail meat case benchmarking study and what the Checkoff is doing on behalf of producers to open new doors of opportunity.
Moderator: Bob Ruth, NPB Board Member
Panelists: Dr. Glynn Tonsor, Professor, Kansas State University; Dr. David Newman, Professor, Arkansas State University; and Kiersten Hafer, Vice President of Strategy and Market Development, National Pork Board
Sponsored by: National Pork Board
Varied Industries Building, Meeting Room B