Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
With a theme like "Strengthening Our Industry," the 28th Annual Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium on November 8-10 at the Saskatoon Inn in Saskatoon is sure to load participants’ plates with tons of ideas and information.
Organized jointly by Sask Pork and Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, the Symposium is recognized as one of the major pork industry seminars in Canada.
"The program attracts Western Canadian producers and their network of advisors from the public and private sectors," says Neil Ketilson, General Manager of Sask Pork. "Attendance has grown to over 400 participants annually," he adds.
As the Saskatchewan pork industry expands across the world, keeping abreast of developments becomes crucial. To achieve this, a host of shakers and movers are being brought in as speakers for this year’s program.
One of them is Ed Bernacki of The Idea Factory in Ottawa. He helps people and organizations develop their capacity to innovate. Another contributor is Dr. Susan Jones, Vice President of Agribusiness, Food and Animal Health at Ipsos Reid. She will shed light on what consumers really think of the industry. Jones is a veterinarian who specializes in animal health marketing, marketing research and marketing communications.
"The agenda looks at a number of issues important to producers in managing their operations," explains Ketilson.
Highlighted topics in this year's program include an in-depth review of the European pork industry; contract finishing opportunities; preparing for foreign animal disease outbreaks; reducing utility costs through energy efficiencies; occupational health and safety inspections; implementing a national traceability system; carbon credits; and profitability through value chains. There will also be a panel discussion of important issues of the day, including grading, slaughter capacity, trade, and processing plants.
The ever-popular Stock Persons' Seminar offers its own range of pertinent topics on November 8.
A welcome reception is planned for that evening and a gala banquet program will take place on Wednesday night, November 9. The banquet will include a silent auction themed The Sky is the Limit, reflecting the many opportunities now available to the pork industry through the newly constructed Pork Interpretive Gallery (PIG). All proceeds will be directed toward the operations of the gallery.
The Symposium winds up on November 10 with lunch, and is followed by the Sask Pork Annual Meeting.
The early-bird cost (prior to October 31) for the two-day main program is $135 plus GST, which includes the banquet. The cost of the Stock Persons' Seminar is $50 plus GST.
Daily registration rates are also available. Program information including the complete agenda, speaker profiles and the registration form is also available online at www.saskpork.com under "Happenings." The PDF version of the symposium brochure is available at www.saskpork.com/pdfs/brochure.pdf
For more information, contact Patty Martin, Coordinator, Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium, by phone at 306-249-3512, by fax at 306-244-4497 or by e-mail at office@agribiz.ca.
For more information, contact:
Patty Martin
Coordinator
Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium
(306) 249-3512
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