Online Leman Swine Conference to feature 70-plus sessions

Conference themes include markets, impact of COVID-19 and lessons learned, preparing for emerging diseases, and enhancing an operation's value-added strategy.

August 27, 2020

3 Min Read
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When it became apparent that Allen D. Leman Swine Conference attendees could not meet this year on the banks of the Mississippi in St Paul, Minn., organizers became dedicated to providing an online platform that would not only welcome its customary guests, but a wider community of both presenters and participants from around the world. This year's virtual scientific conference includes more than 70 presentations and events, several receptions and socials, as well as, for the first time, many talks that will be translated to Spanish and Portuguese.

The main program will be held Sept. 21 and 22 and highlights include: 

Keynotes

  • "Where have we been and where should we go?" Mark Greenwood, Compeer Financial

  • "Price discovery in the hog market" Bill Kaelin, McVean Trading and Investments, LLC

  • "The swine producer's and veterinarian's response to COVID-19" (Pijoan Lectureship) Paul Yeske, Swine Vet Center 

  • "2020: The lessons we need to learn" Dave Preisler, Minnesota Pork Board

  • "Hanor - Value Added Pork Production" (Morrison Lectureship) Myrl Mortenson, David Wade, and Tara Donovan, Hanor

  • "The Role of Industry in an Incident Response to a Disease Emergency" Michelle Kromm, Jennie-O and Hormel Foods

  • "Where do we go from here?" (Wrap up session) Gordon Spronk, Pipestone System and Clayton Johnson, Carthage Veterinary Services

Sessions

  • PRRS (whole genome sequencing, persistence and new American Association of Swine Veterinarians herd classification)

  • Streptococcus suis (diagnostics and control)

  • African swine fever (elimination without depopulation and vaccination)

  • Veterinary diagnostic laboratory cases

  • Batch farrowing for improved health and productivity

  • Don't waste a good crisis: Opportunities in production (COVID-19 and production opportunities)

  • Public health (antibiotic use, antibiotic resistance and risk of pandemic flu)

  • Technologies for precision pork production (machine learning, remote measurements and technology opportunities)

  • Labor issues (communication, managing COVID-19 from a human resources perspective and training and on-boarding programs)

The pre-conference program will be held Sept. 19 and 20 and will include the following sessions:

  • Nutrition workshop: Water: What should you know about the forgotten nutrient

  • VDL workshop: Molecular diagnostics next generation sequencing interpretation

  • Survival workshop: Updates and resources from the improving survivability project

  • Geeks to Geeks: Understanding and predicting between farm disease transmission

  • Carlos Pijoan Swine Disease Eradication Center Symposium: Tightening up biosecurity

  • DVM student presentations

  • Research highlights

  • Poster presentations

Organizers have also scheduled several social events, engaging sessions and surprises:

  • Boehringer Ingelheim Welcome Reception and Poster Session (Sunday 5:30 p.m)

  • Chef Justin Sutherland from the Handsome Hog Restaurant in St. Paul and participant of the Top Chef TV program will share an exclusive pork recipe and know how. A fundraiser to help feed those in need will be held and for each participant attending the reception and poster session Boehringer Ingelheim will donate $10 (up to $5,000) to Second Harvest Hartland.

  • Zoetis Leman Science in Practice Reception (Monday 5:15 p.m) 

  • Reception to honor Clayton Johnson recipient of this year Allen D. Leman Science in Practice Award. Attendees are invited to engage in an insightful and vibrant conversation with Johnson about his path to swine medicine and production, key industry learnings and personal tips.

  • Merck Animal Health Morning Mindset – No Guts no Glory (Tuesday 7 a.m)

  • Just like with animals, our gut can be a source of distress for overall health. Auburn E. Ellis will guide participants through a series of yoga exercises to create stress-reducing mindfulness as well as physically easing common gut health issues. 

Individual registrations are $250 through Aug. 30 and $300 thereafter. Discounts are available for graduate and DVM students. All prices reflect significant discounts compared to previous in-person editions of the conference. Click here for more information and to register.

Source: University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, which is solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly owns the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

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