August 6, 2008

The Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) and the University of Illinois (U of I) have launched an online programme to assist pig producers.

The programme, named "Managing Pig Production in Tough Times", covers a number of key decision areas for producers and provides advices and information for pork producers in tough economic times.

US pork producers are having a hard time and although the programme cannot change the difficult conditions, it can offer information to help producers manage their business, according to James Pettigrew, a U of I professor of animal sciences who prepared the programme.

Pettigrew said the programme has assembled a diverse group of experts who have focused in on some specific items that pork producers can do on their operations.

The programme website will include presentations by experts including Chris Hurt from Purdue University Extension on price risk, and from U of I, Rob Knox on reproduction, Larry Firkins on health and employees, Mike Ellis on management, ed Funk on engineering, Hans Stein on nutrition, and Pettigrew on feeding programmes.