Washington Swine Information Day - February 3, 2023

The Washington Swine Information Day will be held on February 3, 2023 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 national and state speakers that have been organized to present to the diverse and unique needs of Pacific Northwest Swine Producers. 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 Board’s Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) for adults and the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) for youth producers.  Some pork packers and fairs are requiring pork producers and handlers supplying pigs to be PQA or YQCA certified.  The morning session will conclude with an update from the National Pork Bard, before a pork featured lunch.

The afternoon session will be lead off by Dr. Gordon Murdoch, WSU Dept. of Animal Science Chair, providing an update from WSU Animal Sciences.  Dr. Shannon Neibergs, WSU Extension Livestock Economist, will provide an economic outlook for pork, protein and feed cost for the coming year.  Dr. Paul Kuber, WSU Regional Extension Specialist, will provide a discussion on pork quality and the importance it makes not only for a good eating experience of loin chops and hams, but also for processed products like bacon and sausage.  Ms. Alyssa Jumars, WSDA Local Meat Specialist, will discuss funding opportunities made to Washington small/mid-size meat processors and potential challenges being addressed.  The day will conclude with a presentation by Dr. Rachel Wieme, WSU Regional Specialist, about composting mortalities and pork harvest offal.  Compost not only addresses the critical need to handle moralities and offal but can provide valuable nutrients back to the farm’s soil.  

Registration for the day’s 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, 2023.  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/event/swine-information-day/ or by contacting Sarah M. Smith, WSU Extension Regional Specialist at smithsm@wsu.edu  or (509) 754-2011, Ext 4363.  To register with a credit card, go to www.BrownPaperTickets.com  and enter event number 5678554.  Additional funding for this event was made available by Pork Checkoff funding.