12-28-066-21-07

Contacts:

Dave Stender, Cherokee County Extension, (712) 225-6196,

Sherry Hoyer, IowaPorkIndustryCenter, (515) 294-4496,

Niche Sow Breeding and Gestation Discussion Group being FormedBeginning Swine Artificial Insemination Workshop Set

CHEROKEE, Iowa -- Swine producers with niche breeding operations interested in learning about artificial insemination (AI) are invited to participate in the Niche Sow Breeding and Gestation Discussion Group now being formed in Iowaattend a beginning AI seminar and workshop set for June 29 in Emmetsburg.. Iowa State University (ISU) Extension swine field specialist Dave Stender said the effort is an efficient way for people who work in sustainable hog production that pen breed sows to connect with peers over a large geographical area.program also is being offered to students at Iowa Lakes Community College (ILCC.) The interest group is sponsored by ISU Extension, Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC), University of Nebraska (UNL) Extension, and Iowa Pork Producers Association and Practical Farmers of Iowa.

"This series is designed to address specific questions about breeding problems that producers are experiencing on their farms,"You'll learn the basics that will help you improve your breeding herd management and operation," Stender said. "Participants will connect with others in similar situations and learn from their peers and extension swine specialists. If you pick up just one new idea, the program will be well worth your time."The morning session will focus on education and the afternoon session will provide hands-on training and practice."

Stender and ILCC swine instructor Marv Carlson are speakers at the program and also will lead the afternoon activities.

The morning session will be held in room 3201 of the ILCC Technology Building in Emmetsburg, and begins with registration at 9:30 a.m. The beginning discussion will run from 10 a.m. to noon. Lunch will be served at the college and is included in the registration fee of $20 per person. The afternoon session begins at 1:15 and features hands-on training and practice, at the ILCC farm located about four miles west of Emmetsburg.Producers will select either a Tuesday or Wednesday series where they'll meet three times from noon to 1:30 p.m. The series runs from mid-January through mid-February. Participants will need a computer with high speed Internet access and a phone line for each session. If that's not possible at home, program leaders will help producers find a computer at a nearby Extension office. The online program for these sessions will call the producer, so no long distance calling by participants will be necessary. Registration deadline is Jan. 11 and is limited to 20 operations per group. The registration form is available on the IPIC Web site at

Those interested can download the registration brochure at

To register contact Stender by phone at (712) 225-6196 or by e-mail at "Homework assignments will be mailed to each participant along with expected completion dates," Stender said. "There will be a list of at least nine homework options to pick from. It is important to do the homework so we can discuss the results as a group and target the issues important to your farm."

Discussion leaders for the sessions are Stender, Butch Baker from the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine, and UNL Extension swine specialists Don Levis and Duane Reese. Some of the topics to be covered are pen mating fundamentals including facility/equipment design characteristics, improving pen breeding output, reproductive herd health and an overview of common reproductive diseases, and production flow and scheduling to capture the value of extra pigs.

"Niche producers who take part will see that this is a convenient way to connect with other niche marketers and discuss common issues and concerns focused on getting sows bred successfully," Stender said. "There will be opportunity to devise operation-specific solutions to your primary breeding herd problem.Having the opportunity to establish a bond with others who share your interests and challenges at work will be rewarding."

Cost for each three-session group is $20, which pays for all materials and phone call costs. Tuesday group dates are Jan. 16, Jan. 30 and Feb. 13. Wednesday group dates are Jan. 17, Jan. 31 and Feb. 14. You must indicate on the registration form which session you prefer and whether you need help finding a high speed Internet connection to view the program. For more information, contact Stender by phone (712) 225-6196 (cell) or (712) 261-0225 (office) or by e-mail at .

IPIC was established in 1994 as a coordinated effort of the colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the college of and Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. Its mission is to promote efficient pork production technologies in Iowa, maintain Iowa's pork industry leadership and strengthen rural development efforts. IPIC focuses its efforts in programs that are integral and complimentary to work by ISU Extension. Through IPIC, Iowa producers receive accurate and timely information to aid in making their operations more efficient and profitable.

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