World-renowned experts in the swine industry challenged and led more than 800 people who attended the 2023 Allen D. Leman swine conference in St. Paul, Minn.
Here’s a quick recap of the event:
- On Saturday, the George Foxcroft Reproduction Workshop planned in collaboration with the University of Alberta focused on sow robustness, from gilt nutrition to lifetime productivity with an in depth review of OCD causes and technologies to improve feet and leg quality.
- The Carlos Pijoan Swine Disease Eradication Center session on Sunday focused on practical ways to manage PED. The audience walked away with very applicable advice to pursue PED elimination from Canadian colleagues and ideas on how to embark on a voluntary program in the U.S. using US SHIP as the platform.
- On Monday, Rosemary Sifford, Chief Veterinary Officer at the USDA APHIS, shared initiatives put in place by the federal government to protect the swine producers from foreign animal diseases and the investments made at the federal level to ensure the continuity of business.
- Keynote Randy Spronk, chair-elect of the U.S. Meat Export Federation talked about pork export market opportunities and which countries are favorites for U.S. pork trade. Spronk highlighted the need for having trade agreements in place to further expand exports, a cornerstone of pork market vitality.
- Chris Richards from Apiam Animal Health in Australia shared a new perspective on a decade-old question: Where are the new veterinary graduates? Is it a shortage or do we need to change job offers?
- On Tuesday, Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt delivered the Morrison lectureship and encouraged the audience to improve biosecurity and compliance at the slat level through Bob Morrison’s legacy.
- The final keynote was the Carlos Pijoan lectureship, delivered by Kim VanderWaal from the University of Minnesota swine group, on the rapid evolution of PRRS virus and the avenues that can be explored to identify the next devastating strains.
- John Deen led the wrap-up session and was recognized during the conference for his career-long contributions to the swine industry. Upon his upcoming retirement, many celebrated Deen’s quiet leadership and innovative thinking making an impact all over the world from the U.S. to China.
Read More from Leman:
Assume the Barn Has Disease Even If It Doesn’t
Thoughts Worth Repeating from the 2023 Leman Swine Conference
Developing Replacement Gilts: How to Nourish Your Long-Term Investment
Bates Wins 2023 Morrison Swine Innovator Prize with E. Coli Research
