Helping swine producers reduce costs and remain profitable is at the heart of Kansas State University’s Swine Day program planned for Thursday, Nov. 17.
Swine Day 2016 will kick off with a technology trade show that opens at 8 a.m. at the K-State Alumni Center, 17th and Anderson Ave., in Manhattan. The program begins at 9:30 a.m. and includes lunch. The day wraps up with a reception at 4 p.m. featuring K-State Call Hall Ice Cream.
“It is a difficult economic time for pork producers”, explains Mike Tokach, K-State Department of Animal Sciences & Industry distinguished professor and swine extension specialist. “Because of today’s economic struggles, one of the focuses for this year’s Swine Day is to help producers identify areas to reduce costs and help them remain competitive.”
Each year one of the highlights of Swine Day is an update on the latest research conducted by the K-State Applied Swine Nutrition Research team. This year participants will also hear an update on innovative disease research including breakthroughs in PRRS research, deep sequencing to identify disease pathogens and novel influenza research.
The final session will focus on the veterinary feed directive. “With VFD set to go into effect Jan. 1, Dr. Mike Apley, renowned expert on antibiotics from K-State, will help producers prepare for the rules”, adds Tokach.