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The Washington Swine Information Day will be held on February 7, 2020 from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM at the Pillar Rock Grill (Moses Lake Golf & Country Club) in Moses Lake, Washington. Swine producers of all sizes; 4-H/FFA youth producers; agency representatives; agriculture educators; and fair/show representatives are invited to participate. The event has been organized and sponsored by Washington Pork Producers, National Pork Board Checkoff, and Washington State University Extension.
Washington Swine Information Day features an array of presentations that have been organized to meet the diverse and unique needs of Pacific Northwest Swine Producers. The morning session will feature training and certification in the National Pork Boards Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) for adults and the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) for youth producers. Both the PQA+ and YQCA are national programs that train best management practices for raising and marketing pigs from farm to harvest to build consumer confidence in every segment of pork production. Some pork packers and fairs are requiring pork producers and handlers supplying pigs to be PQA or YQCA certified. Individuals successfully completing the training will be certified in these national programs. Youth participating in the YQCA training will also learn the science behind pork quality and cooking of pork meat to enhance the flavor and tenderness of pork; which will include a taste testing session. The morning session for the adults will conclude with a presentation by Dr. Susan Kerr, DVM, on the role of producers and Washington State Department of Agriculture to promote good animal health and protect animal agriculture.
The afternoon session will focus on the basics of raising pigs for producers of all sizes. Dr. Shannon Neibergs, WSU Extension Livestock Economist, will present an update on the current and future market outlook for pork and grain. Mr. Clay Zwilling, CEO of the National Swine Registry, will be the afternoons feature speaker, presenting on implementation genetic selection to enhance farm production, pork quality, and farm sustainability. Sarah M. Smith, WSU Regional Extension Specialist, will present on the perception and reality of pigs raised by youth for fairs. The afternoon break will feature the much anticipated featured pork tasting by Chef Sammie of Pillar Rock Grill. The day will conclude with a presentation by Dr. Susan Kerr, DVM, about the impact African Swine Fever has had globally and the importance of keeping the disease out of the U.S.
Registration for the days event is $25 per person and includes seminar, handouts, lunch and break refreshments. An all-day youth registration, $15, is also available to 4-H and FFA members. Individuals may also attend just the afternoon session for $10. There is a $15 per person late charge for registrations postmarked after January 28, 2020. Please pre-register so we can ensure adequate accommodations and meals. A complete seminar agenda and registration brochure is available at https://extension.wsu.edu/animalag/ or by contacting Sarah M. Smith, WSU Extension Regional Specialist at smithsm@wsu.edu or (509)754-2011, Ext 4363 Additional funding for this event was made available by Pork Checkoff funding.
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LocationPillar Rock Grill (Moses Lake Golf & Country Club) (View)
1373 Rd F.2 NE
Moses Lake, WA 98837
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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