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There is still time to register for the Banff Pork Seminar, the leading seminar of its kind that consistently draws people from across North America and around the world. It will be held at the Banff Centre in Banff, Alta. Jan. 17-20.

The 2006 Seminar is the 35th annual. With a theme of "Pork Wars - Internal and External Threats," it features presentations by international industry leaders on the major trade, marketing, production and environmental issues facing the pork industry today.

"The secret to the ongoing success of the Banff Pork Seminar is it consistently brings the very best speakers from the worldwide industry to address the most pressing issues," says conference program chair, Dr. Ron Ball. "It's a unique combination of the practical and the big picture."

The risks to Canada's domestic and export markets will be outlined by Kevin Grier, senior market analyst with the George Morris Centre, in the Seminar's first presentation. Jerry Bouma of Toma & Bouma Consulting will discuss hog industry structure and integration.

The growing profile of China as a worldwide pork powerhouse will be covered by Ruojun Wang, associate professor with the Jinnai Agribusiness Research Center in China and China Agricultural University. That will be followed by "New Players in the Global Pork Industry," a presentation by Fiona Boal, Vice-President of Food and Agribusiness Research with Rabobank New York.

The results of a groundbreaking survey on consumer views of pork production will be analyzed by Susan Jones of Ipsos-Reid, while Wayne Caldwell of the University of Guelph will discuss a growing area of interest, the impact of the pork industry on rural communities.

Each day, the Seminar's twelve "breakout" sessions address practical components of the pork industry. Delegates may choose one morning and one afternoon breakout session each day, for a total of four sessions.

Morning breakout sessions include the challenges of pork industry integration, threats to sustainability, remedies to a skilled labour shortage, options for farm insurance, biological limits to production, an assessment of animal welfare initiatives and the benefits of long-term manure application.

Afternoon breakout sessions include an update on veterinary issues, recapturing lost profit from carcass trim and demerits, the cost-reduction potential of alternative energy sources, a report on Big Sky Farms' goal of 30 pigs per sow per year, and amino acid nutrition in pigs.

To register for the Banff Pork Seminar on-line, visit the Banff Pork Seminar Web site at www.banffpork.ca or phone (780) 492-3651. Participants can arrange accommodation at The Banff Centre by visiting the Banff Pork Web site or by calling The Banff Centre toll-free at 1-800-884-7574.

"Early registration has been strong, so be sure to register and book accommodations as soon as possible," says Ball.

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Pork industry challenges addressed at Banff Pork Seminar