The 2014 Iowa Pork Congress is scheduled for Jan. 22-23 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, hosted by the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA).

The nation’s largest winter swine trade show and conference will be held in Hy-Vee Hall with show hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 22 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 23.

“The Iowa Pork Congress has established a tradition of excellence over the years and it attracts several thousand producers and others involved in the pork industry, as well as most of the top companies who serve the pork industry,” says IPPA President Greg Lear, a Spencer area producer.

“We offer timely and informative seminars facilitated by some of the industry’s leading experts, great social functions, and attendees have an array of networking opportunities. It really is a show for anyone who is involved in pork production, including our young swine enthusiasts.”

Interest in the Iowa Pork Congress remains very strong among pork industry vendors; nearly 300 Iowa, U.S. and international companies will fill the Hy-Vee Hall trade show floor. Products ranging from equipment and nutrition to genetics and pharmaceuticals will be on display. Several exhibitors are rolling out new or enhanced products during Pork Congress.

IPPA will welcome attendees to the Pork Information Plaza on the north trade show floor where guests can visit with producer leaders and representatives from the National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council and other affiliated organizations.

Attendees will again have a wide range of seminars to choose from. An update on what’s happening in Washington, the latest on porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), an economic outlook, the Affordable Care Act and opportunities for new farmers are among the scheduled sessions. The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy also will be discussed.

Sixth-generation farmer and agriculture advocate Trent Loos brings his passion and wit to the 2014 Iowa Pork Congress as the keynote speaker. In “Tell that to the Crunchy Momma,” Loos will address the need to re-educate consumers on modern food production. The “Loos Tales” star will address attendees at 2 p.m. on Jan. 22.

Hog farmers also will be able to obtain or renew their Pork Quality Assurance Plus and Transport Quality Assurance certifications, and a certification session for confinement site manure applicators is again being offered.

“We try to provide the best of everything at Pork Congress, from the trade show to the social events,” Lear adds. “This is our 42^nd show and with all of the activities we have scheduled, Pork Congress should be another great event for the pork industry.”

Registration

Producers can pre-register to attend Iowa Pork Congress through Jan. 9, 2014. IPPA members can attend the trade show and conference at no cost by registering by the deadline. Register at www.iowaporkcongress.org  or by using the form in the November issue of the Iowa Pork Producer magazine.

Non-IPPA members can save $5 off of the normal $10 admission cost by registering online by the deadline. Registrations will be accepted after the deadline through each day of the show, but the cost will be $10.

Iowa Pork Congress week will start on Jan. 20 with the annual IPPA Taste of Elegance contest and reception. The IPPA Annual Meeting will be held Jan. 21 and the annual Iowa Pork Foundation Kickoff Reception and Auction will take place that evening. The Pork Congress Banquet is on Jan. 22. The IPPA Youth Swine Judging Contest will be held in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Jan. 23.

For more information, contact IPPA at (800) 372-7675 or visit www.iowaporkcongress.org.