New format for Pork Symposium promises to deliver

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

The twenty-ninth annual Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium is “Celebrating a World of Information” on November 14-15 in Saskatoon. This year’s theme is “Through the Crossroads of Competition,” and symposium co-ordinator Patty Martin says she wants attendees to know a brand new format has been introduced.

“We’re holding it over two days, but we’ve put in more information,” said Martin. “The first day, which was traditionally aimed at stock people, will still speak to them, but it also has some broader information for everyone.”

Featured speakers include the Honourable Mark Wartman, Minister of Agriculture and Food, and Michael H. McCain, President and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods. Martin says the symposium office has been taking a lot of calls about McCain’s appearance.

“He’s probably going to be the most popular speaker this year,” said Martin. “I know a lot of people will want to come and hear him, and he intends on being here.”

Other sessions include speakers addressing jobs in the pork industry, and the morning of day one is divided into several break-out sessions on topics such as breeding, farrowing or growing and finishing.

The afternoon of day one also features a “hot topics” panel discussion, moderated by Kevin Hursh of Hursh Consulting and Communications. Panel guests include Florian Possberg of Big Sky Farms, Ray Price with Sunterra Group, and Shannon Meyers of Fast Genetics. Day two features a bigger picture look at the state of the industry, with topics such as foreign trade and production costs.

Because of the switch to a two-day symposium, the banquet now happens on the evening of the first day, Tuesday, November 14. Minister Wartman is the keynote speaker for this year’s banquet.

Martin says that a wide variety of people who deal with the pork industry in some way can benefit from attending the symposium.

“Producers, hog barn owners and managers, industry suppliers, government representatives – all are more than welcome, and they will all get something from the science and new research that’s being presented,” Martin noted.

The registration deadline for the symposium is November 6. Registration forms can be downloaded from the event listing at www.saskpork.com. Early registration and booking of accommodations is encouraged.

The cost to register for the full two-day conference is $135 per person. One-day registration is also available for $70 per person, and those attending on the first day receive a banquet ticket along with their registration.

The symposium is a joint presentation of the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board and the Livestock Development Branch of Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food.

For more information, contact:

Patty Martin, Co-ordinator
Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium
Phone: (306) 249-3512
E-mail: office@agribiz.ca
Website: www.saskpork.com (under the “Happenings” heading)