Swine Production Conference Set

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2008

URBANA - A swine reproduction conference in both English and Spanish is targeted for Spanish-speaking workers and their employers and will be offered May 15 in Sycamore, sponsored by University of Illinois Extension.

"We have had requests from swine producers to offer this program in Spanish because that is the first language of many of their employees," said Rob Knox, U of I Extension swine reproduction specialist who has organized such programs in the past. "This program is intended for Spanish-speaking workers and those who have Spanish-speaking employees involved or interested in pork production.

"The program is open to all levels of experience and will include the foundations and the application of breeding principles and breeding herd management, as well as health."

The one-day program will feature a number of leading reproductive specialists from Purdue and Michigan State universities, a veterinary practitioner from Carthage Veterinary Services as well as swine Extension specialists from the U of I. Angela Demirjyn of the National Pork Board will serve as translator.

Other sponsors include the Illinois Pork Producers Association and the National Pork Board, as well as many industry and Extension partners. The conference will also include exhibits.

The conference opens at 7:45 a.m. with programs commencing at 8:25 a.m. and adjourning at 3:30 p.m. There is also an optional PQA-Plus certification program offered in English and Spanish that begins immediately following the main program.

The event will be held in the DeKalb County Center for Agriculture building.

Registrations received by May 2 are $45 per person. After that date, the fee is $50. The fee includes all handout materials in English and Spanish, lunch, breaks, and all other program materials.

To register, arrange space for an exhibit, or obtain further information, contact Lois Welch at (217) 333-2626, e-mail llwelch@uiuc.edu, or Knox at (217) 244-5177, e-mail rknox@uiuc.edu .