Purdue News
Purdue NewsNovember 21, 1997
Designed for small and medium-sized pork producers, the conference will highlight methods for raising swine on pasture, use of forages, hooped structures and other technologies.
Sponsored by Sustainable Earth, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service and Indiana Sustainable Agriculture Association, "Alternative Hog Production Strategies" will run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at Judi's Catering in Lafayette.
According to Sustainable Earth president Steve Bonney, the three organizations want to help farmers who want to stay competitive and learn more about low investment-low production cost systems for hog production.
"We're constantly looking for ways to keep farmers in business. I think this is an appropriate strategy to do so," Bonney said. "Producers who face uncertain futures in the hog business should attend this conference. Never will there be a better opportunity for farmers to learn how to get in or stay in the hog business and earn good profits."
Specialists and hog farmers will make presentations on the different aspects of low-investment and low-cost production strategies. The program also will feature a panel of farmers and specialists to answer questions, plus information on alternative marketing strategies, such as direct marketing from farmer to consumer or through farmer cooperatives.
Speakers include Mark Honeyman, a swine production specialist from Iowa State University; Jim Van Der Pol, a Minnesota hog farmer; and Greg Gunthorp, an Indiana farmer. David Petritz, assistant director of the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service, will give a welcome address to conference participants.
"Ninety percent of this conference is production," Bonney said. "We designed it that way so we can provide adequate information for farmers to make decisions on whether to adopt these systems."
Later in the conference, Bonney and Jerry Frey of Indiana Family Farms will discuss marketing strategies.
"We're simply touching on that, but marketing is what's driving these changes in hog production. Anytime someone recommends alternative practices, there should be suggested marketing links," Bonney said.
Those attending the conference will be surveyed on topics they'd like to discuss for a follow-up meeting.
Registration for the alternative hog production conference is due by Dec. 4. Attendees must pay a $35 fee, which includes lunch and printed materials. Additional owners or employees of the same farm can register for $15. To register, make checks payable to Sustainable Earth Inc., 100 Georgton Court, West Lafayette, Ind., 47906, or call (765) 463-9366.
CONTACT: Bonney, (765) 463-9366; e-mail, sbonney@iquest.net
Compiled by Chris Sigurdson, (765) 494-8415; E-mail, sig@ecn.purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
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