K-State's Swine Industry Day Addresses PCV2 Discoveries
Steve Henry, Abilene Animal Hospital (left), and Dick
Hesse, K-State College of Veterinary Medicine,
discuss the information gained from research at KSU
on Porcine Circovirus in the last year.
Vaccines have cut the mortality rate of weaning pigs by about 75 percent since PCV2 became prevalent in the United States. Researchers now are working to better understand the disease and to determine the best timing for vaccination.
Bob Goodband, of the K-State Swine Nutrition Team,
reviews the nutrition research that has been conducted
in the last year, to address the rise in ingredient prices.
The KPA and the National Pork Board sponsored
Trent Loos, a nationally-known agricultural
commentator, who addressed positioning animal
agriculture for the future. To read more from Trent,
see facesofag.com.
Producers attending Swine Day were able to see the
latest in technology by visiting over 35 booths.
KPA sponsors the Kansas 4-H Foundation Gourmet Getaway
The Kansas Pork Association was a sponsor for the eighth Gourmet Getaway, a 4-H benefit event, hosted by the Kansas 4-H Foundation. About 350 participants traveled to the Rock Springs 4-H Center which was transformed on Friday, November 2, into an elegant dining environment to highlight the talents of leading chefs from across the state. Stephen Giunta, Culinary Director of Cargill Foodservice Meat Solutions, Wichita, and Kenneth Baker, Executive Chef and owner of Pachamama's Restaurant, Lawrence, featured pork in their presentations to the group. The KPA also provided recipe materials for the participants.
Kenneth Baker, Executive Chef and owner of
Pachamama's Restaurant, Lawrence, prepares his
Maple Brine Cured Pork Chop during the Gourmet
Getaway, held recently at Rock Springs 4-H Center.
EQIP Cutoff Date Announced by NRCS
Salina, Kansas, September 12, 2007—The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced Friday, November 2, 2007, as the cutoff date for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) applications to be considered for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 funding.
EQIP—one of the largest programs in the 2002 Farm Bill—is a voluntary conservation program that promotes environmental quality and assists producers to meet local, state, and federal regulations.
New EQIP Self-Assessment Worksheets
When farmers or ranchers apply for 2008 EQIP funding, they will be required to fill out the Kansas EQIP Self-Assessment Worksheet.
“If they plan to apply, they should start the process very soon if they haven’t done so already,” emphasized Klaege.
“The self-assessment worksheet is an educational tool,” he explained, “providing landowners with a clear indication of what natural resource concerns they have, what they can accomplish, and what they need to do to qualify for the program.
“We see the worksheets as a time-saving and money-saving tool,” said Klaege. “We envision them reducing the time it takes NRCS to process applications for EQIP. By reducing the federal dollars required to administer the program, more dollars should be available for producers.”
Limited Resource and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
“EQIP is available to help address the unique circumstances and concerns of limited resource and beginning farmers and ranchers, who have natural resource concerns that need to be addressed on their land,” said Klaege.
“In Kansas limited resource and beginning farmers and ranchers may receive a higher payment rate through EQIP for structural and vegetative practices.”
Kansas Identifies Priority Natural Resource Concerns
The FY 2008 Kansas EQIP eligible priority natural resource concerns are as follows:
Cutoff Date Set to Evaluate EQIP Applications
“After November 2, 2007, NRCS staff will begin evaluating applications received in Kansas. All contracts will be signed and obligated with producers by January 25, 2008,” explained Klaege.
The NRCS will evaluate each application and give higher priority to those applications that use cost-effective conservation practices; treat multiple resource concerns; address national, state, or local priorities; and provide the most environmental benefits.
Review of EQIP FY 2007 Funding
Kansas received over $23.9 million in FY 2007, and over 1,600 contracts were funded. More than 2,900 applications were received.
In Kansas, EQIP funds will help farmers and ranchers install conservation practices that improve and protect Kansas’s priority natural resource concerns.
“The objective of EQIP is to address natural resource concerns through the application of improved conservation systems. EQIP is an environmental enhancement program,” said Klaege.
Apply at Local NRCS Office
Agricultural producers interested in participating in EQIP can apply at any time at their U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Service Center at their local NRCS office. Information about 2008 EQIP is available on the Web site at www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/2008 or at your local USDA Service Center from the NRCS or conservation district staff. This will include information about 2008 EQIP—Kansas EQIP fact sheet; the Kansas EQIP Self-Assessment Worksheets; an application form; a list of eligible practices and payment rates; and specifics on Kansas’s ranking process, including criteria used to evaluate applications.
Reminder
If your local county NRCS field office (FO) was consolidated with another FO, contact that office. Consolidated FOs and phone numbers are as follows:
Gove/Oakley 785-672-4861
Elkhart/Hugoton 620-544-2261
Coldwater/Medicine Lodge 620-886-5311
Yates Center/Fredonia 620-378-2128
Cottonwood Falls/Emporia 620-343-2812
Olathe/Paola 913-294-3751
Junction City/Manhattan 785-776-7582
Leavenworth/Oskaloosa 785-863-2221
Henry appointed to serve as National Pork Board Member
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced Roy Henry of Longford, Kan., has been appointed to serve a one-year term on the National Pork Board created recently when board member Carol Hein of Missouri resigned to take a job outside the pork industry. He was selected from among the eight pork producers nominated and ranked by the National Pork Act Delegate Body during its annual meeting in March.
Henry will join the Pork Board in Chicago Aug. 28-29 to discuss the Board’s budget and Plan of Work process; it’s anticipatory issues management process; and the work it is doing in the area of animal care. In addition, he will be integrated into three committees within the Board – budget, audit or administrative.
Nationally, Henry serves on the Pork Checkoff’s Pork Safety Committee. He also has served on the Environmental Committee, the Pork Quality Solutions Committee and the Air Quality Committee.
Henry has also served as President of the Kansas Pork Producers Council.
As the owner of a farrow-to-finish hog operation, Henrys LTD., Henry is involved in marketing, oversight of maintenance and purchasing. Henrys LTD. has 1,500 sows and markets 25,000 hogs per year.
Pork Chop Open Golf Tournament
The annual Pork Chop Open was held Friday, August 17th, at Cedar Hills Golf Course in Washington. Fifty-six participated in the 18-hole, 4-man scramble at this year’s event.
Jeff Brabec, Jim Brabec, Mark Chapin and Paul Monty came in first with a score of 54. Gene Henderson, Tyler Henderson, Greg Knedlik and Randy Wyatt came in second with a score of 59.
First Flight winners include:
1st – Brabec, Brabec, Chapin, Monty – 54
2nd – Henderson, Henderson, Knedlik, Wyatt – 59
3rd – Sherlock, Dragastin, Dragastin, Baker – 59
Following the tournament, the group enjoyed smoked
pork loin donated by Tyson Fresh Meats and prepared
by Lynch BBQ.
Watching a drive are from left: Tyler Henderson,
Gene Henderson, Greg Knedlik, Jim and Jeff Brabec.
The Kansas Pork Association would like to thank the many fine sponsors for their support for the annual Pork Chop Open.
Event sponsors were:
Elanco, Frontier Farm Credit, National Pork Board, Tyson Fresh Meats, Lynch BBQ and Bottenberg & Associates.
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
 |
|
Hole sponsors were: Kastl-Powell Agency, NCKP, Alltech, Suther Feeds, Golf USA, Zeitlow Distributing Company, First National Bank, Midwest Livestock Systems, Zoltenko Farms, Keesecker Agri Business, Hoover’s, The Mansfield Agency, Farm Bureau Financial Services, Farm Management Services Inc. – Concordia, Clay Center Locker, Bank of Palmer, Key Feeds, Bluestem Electric, Midwest Materials and Kansas GOLD.
Livestock Producers learn about Implementation of Nutrient Management Plans during KSU Workshop
Livestock producers from across the state attended a field day last week on the Kansas State University campus to learn how to implement their Nutrient Management Plans (NMP).
This field day was designed to assist livestock producers, nutrient management plan developers, and regulatory and Extension personnel on how to properly implement a NMP. Demonstrations on proper sampling, calibration of manure equipment, and adjusting application rates based on soil and manure analysis were discussed. In addition, the National Pork Board's Neighbor-to-Neighbor program provided information on ways to inform neighbors and other community members when concerns arise from livestock operations.
The Kansas Pork Association worked with the KSU Animal Science Department and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to plan the workshop.
Joel DeRouchey, KSU Department of Animal
Sciences and Industry, gave an overview of the
farm's Nutrient Management Plan and explained
the composting system.
Dale Leikam, KSU Department of Agronomy, explained the basics of reading a
soil and manure sample.
Kim Claassen of Henry Creek Farms, Whitewater,
highlighted the changes the farm had made since
beginning to work with a Nutrient Management Plan.
PORK, NOW THAT'S BBQ!
The Kansas Pork Association is asking for your help in spreading the word across Kansas grocery stores about grilling pork. We have "point of sale" materials available FREE OF CHARGE that promote pork in the grilling season. This BBQ kit includes magnetic signs, meat case cards and recipes. We are hoping that those who put up the nutritional kits will go back to those local grocery stores to put up the BBQ kits. Also, we hope those of you who haven’t participated before would sign up!
We will ship all materials to you FREE OF CHARGE. We need your help getting them utilized in grocery stores around Kansas.
Another idea would be to include your kids. If any of them are in 4-H, this would make a great activity for their record book!
E-mail kpa@kspork.org or call the office at 785-776-0442, with the following information: your name, address, phone number, E-mail, number of kits needed and the name of grocery store and town of where you’re placing the kits.
Take a picture talking to the meat manager, putting materials up in the grocery store, standing outside the grocery store, etc. and send it to the KPA Office. Once we receive your photos, we’ll send you a bottle of Perfect Pork Chop Sprinkle, as your gift for helping us spread the great word about pork.
Kansas Pork Producers Council and Kansas Pork Association Executive Board meetings held in Manhattan
The Executive Boards of the KPPC and KPA held a joint meeting this week in the KPA office in Manhattan. The boards provided input on industry issues and reviewed budget information for the remainder of 2007 as well as 2008. The Boards reviewed the 2007 Pork Industry Survey results and utilized the information in creating the KPA and KPPC budgets for next year. To see the survey results, please click on Survey
The elections for the 2008 National Pork Act Delegate Body were held in conjunction with the Board meetings. Elected to represent Kansas were: Chris Cox, Long Island; Alan Haverkamp, Bern; Michael Springer, Sycamore; and Ron Suther, Blaine. Ken Condray, Clifton, will serve as an alternate.
Pat McGonegle, NPPC staff, provides an overview of NPPC activities during the recent KPA Executive
Board meeting held in Manhattan.
2007 Pork Industry Survey
Help your producer boards make decisions on projects for 2008 by filling out a short on-line survey. The boards will utilize the direction you provide as they create the KPA and KPPC budgets for next year.
Click here to take the survey.
All segments of the industry are encouraged to participate, but please take the survey before July 10.
If you would rather fill out a paper survey, please contact the KPA office at 888-776-0442. Participants who provide their name and address on question 11 will receive a stainless steel travel mug. One per household, please. Your name will not be linked to your answers on the survey.
Community Outreach Program connecting pork producers and their communities
Thanks to all who have participated in the Community Outreach Program. Recent participants include:
Haverkamp Brothers is planning an Inaugural BBQ in appreciation of their employees and their families, plus all the neighbors from their locations in the Bern, Robinson and Auburn, Neb. areas. The BBQ is also in celebration of 25 years of business
Bellar Farms is donating up to two hogs for the Elk County 4-H Fair supporter’s dinner. This meal is to show appreciation to everyone who helps with and or is involved in some way with the Elk County 4-H.
The KPA provides promotional signs for each event.
Recent events
Kansas Select Pork, Quivira Pork, Sunflower Hills and Rolling Hills Pork of Washington, donated pork for the meal to be held at the Washington County Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament on June 16 and 17. Proceeds went to the county hospital for a specific item needed in the hospital.
Rolling Hills Pork of Washington, provided pork for a meal held at the Washington County Saddle Club Annual Rodeo on June 16 and 17.
J-Six Farms provided picnic style pork chops for their Annual Appreciation Summer BBQ for neighbors of all their locations, from White Cloud to Clifton. All local firemen from areas where J-Six has locations were also invited. The event was held, with nearly 300 people in attendance, on June 16 in Fairview.
Bruce and Joyce Feldhausen of Frankfort, will donated BBQ pork for a community dinner held on June 24 in Frankfort. The confirmation class of the First Presbyterian Church organized the dinner and all proceeds went to the victims of the tornado in Greensburg.
Doug Gerleve, Sunflower Hills and Rolling Hills Pork, Washington, donated pork to the food stand at the Annual Community 4th of July Celebration held this year, on June 30 in Washington.
Ag Management Services of Washington, sponsored a girl’s T-ball team. The KPA logo was printed on the team t-shirts. Five of the girls’ families are involved in swine production. They are playing their season during May, June and July in two different counties.
Bruce and Joyce Feldhausen of Frankfort, sponsored and served BBQ pork at the grand opening of the Wildcat Wilderness playground area in the Frankfort City Park on Sunday, June 3. They served around 150 people.
J-Six Farms of Seneca, provided pork for the Corning Ball Association’s Annual Memorial Day Breakfast and donated pork certificates for their Memorial Day raffle.
KPA Community Outreach Program
The Pork Community Outreach is designed to assist individual pork producers in becoming more involved and positively visible in their local communities. The KPA is offering matching funds on the expenses on selected community relations activities. The purpose of this program is to multiply the positive effects of pork producer involvement in the communities where hogs are raised.
To be eligible you must:
Fill out a cost share request form and submit it to the KPA at least two weeks prior to your event and submit design ideas to the KPA so that appropriate logos and messages may be included.
To find more information about the program, click on Community Outreach.
IMAGE CAMPAIGN CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE STATE
The Pork and Soybean Checkoff Image Campaign is near completion in Brown, Nemaha and Washington counties. With the theme, “Together, we raise the community’s standard of living,” newspaper and radio ads were created to promote consumer and producer awareness about the positive impact of pork and soybean producers in their cities. Print advertisements were placed in the Hiawatha World, Seneca-Courier Tribune and Washington County News. Radio spots aired on KNZA FM, WIBW 580 AM and KFRM 550 AM. Three billboards, located in Hiawatha, Seneca and Washington, stated similar messages.
The June campaign is currently running in the southeastern part of the state, in Wilson and Montgomery counties. Billboards can be spotted in Neodesha and Independence. Radio spots are running during farm time on WIBW 580 AM and KKOW, Pittsburg. Look for print ads in the Wilson County Citizen and the Independence Daily Reporter.
In July, Stafford and Barton counties will be the main focus. An illuminated billboard will be placed in Great Bend. Print ads will run in the Great Bend Tribune- fair section, The Stafford Courier, The Rocket and the Ellinwood Leader. Radio spots will run on the Kansas Ag Network including KFRM-AM in Clay Center, KVGB-AM and KBGL-AM in Great Bend, KCAY-AM and KRSL-AM in Russell, KRSL-AM, and KAYS-AM in Hays.
The KPA’s plan, in cooperation with the Kansas Soybean Commission, is to cover different counties within Kansas every month until October. Please let us know if and how the advertisements are affecting your communities.
Community Outreach Program connecting pork producers and their communities
Thanks to all who have participated in the Community Outreach Program. The participants are as follows:
Ag Management Services of Washington, sponsored a girl’s T-ball team. The KPA logo was printed on the team t-shirts. Five of the girls’ families are involved in swine production. They are playing their season during May, June and July in two different counties.
Bruce and Joyce Feldhausen of Frankfort, sponsored and served BBQ pork at the grand opening of the Wildcat Wilderness playground area in the Frankfort City Park on Sunday, June 3. They served around 150 people.
J-Six Farms of Seneca, provided pork for the Corning Ball Association’s Annual Memorial Day Breakfast and donated pork certificates for their Memorial Day raffle.
The KPA provides promotional signs for each event.
Upcoming events
Kansas Select Pork, Quivira Pork, Sunflower Hills and Rolling Hills Pork of Washington, are donating pork for the meal to be held at the Washington County Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament on June 16 and 17. Proceeds will go to the county hospital for a specific item needed in the hospital.
Rolling Hills Pork of Washington, will provide pork for a meal to be held at the Washington County Saddle Club Annual Rodeo held on June 16 and 17.
J-Six Farms will provide picnic style pork chops for their Annual Appreciation Summer BBQ for neighbors of all their locations, from White Cloud to Clifton. All local firemen from areas where J-Six has locations were also invited. The event will be held, with nearly 300 people in attendance, on June 16 in Fairview.
Bruce and Joyce Feldhausen of Frankfort, will donate BBQ pork for a community dinner to be held on June 24 in Frankfort. The confirmation class of the First Presbyterian Church is organizing the dinner and all proceeds will go to the victims of the tornado in Greensburg.
Doug Gerleve, Sunflower Hills and Rolling Hills Pork, Washington, will donate pork to the food stand at the Annual Community 4th of July Celebration held this year, on June 30 in Washington.
KPA Community Outreach Program
The Pork Community Outreach is designed to assist individual pork producers in becoming more involved and positively visible in their local communities. The KPA is offering matching funds on the expenses on selected community relations activities. The purpose of this program is to multiply the positive effects of pork producer involvement in the communities where hogs are raised.
To be eligible you must:
Fill out a cost share request form and submit it to the KPA at least two weeks prior to your event and submit design ideas to the KPA so that appropriate logos and messages may be included.
To find more information about the program, click on Community Outreach.
Kansas to participate in Nutritional Efficiency Consortium
The Pork Checkoff is working to address the effects of rising corn prices on pork producers. In February, the National Pork Board approved $400,000 for the development of a nutritional efficiency research and education consortium, bringing together organizations throughout the pork industry and agriculture.
“The nutritional efficiency consortium was developed to determine what research had been completed and what would need to be done on behalf of pork producers,” said Bruce Samson, pork producer from Three Forks, Mont. and National Pork Board member. “It was determined that research and education should be focused on nutritional efficiency and not just ethanol co-products.
The objectives of the nutritional efficiency consortium include:
“We have received support from several state pork associations and private organizations,” said Samson. “To date, the consortium has matched the initial funds provided by the Pork Checkoff.”
Participants in the consortium include: Arizona Pork Council, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Kansas Pork Association, Mississippi Pork Association, Missouri Pork Producers Association, Nebraska Pork Producers Association Inc., North Carolina Pork Council Inc., Utah Pork Producers Association, Montana Pork Producers Council, National Corn Growers Association, DPI Global, Elanco, JBS United, Lucta S.A. and Pioneer Hi-Bred
The consortium has worked together to develop the research and education priorities. Initial calls for proposals have been sent. The next steps for the consortium include reviewing and approving spending based on the proposals with the research scheduled to begin in September.
Public Notice by Kansas Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Boar
The election of pork producer delegate candidates for the 2008 National Pork Producers (Pork Act) Delegate Body will take place at 1:00 p.m., Monday, July 16, 2007, in conjunction with a Board of Directors meeting of the Kansas Pork Producers Council at the Wendell Moyer Office Building, 2601 Farm Bureau Road, Manhattan, KS 66502. All Kansas pork producers are invited to attend
Any producer, who is a resident of the state and has paid all assessments due may be considered as a delegate candidate and/or participate in the election. All eligible producers are encouraged to bring with them a sales receipt proving that hogs were sold in their name and the checkoff deducted. For more information, contact Kansas Pork Producers Council, 2601 Farm Bureau Road, Manhattan, KS, telephone 785/776-0442.
IMAGE CAMPAIGN CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE STAT
The Pork and Soybean Checkoff Image Campaign is near completion in Brown, Nemaha and Washington counties. With the theme, “Together, we raise the community’s standard of living,” newspaper and radio ads were created to promote consumer and producer awareness about the positive impact of pork and soybean producers in their cities. Print advertisements were placed in the Hiawatha World, Seneca-Courier Tribune and Washington County News. Radio spots aired on KNZA FM, WIBW 580 AM and KFRM 550 AM. Three billboards, located in Hiawatha, Seneca and Washington, stated similar messages.
The June campaign is currently running in the southeastern part of the state, in Wilson and Montgomery counties. Billboards can be spotted in Neodesha and Independence. Radio spots are running during farm time on WIBW 580 AM and KKOW, Pittsburg. Look for print ads in the Wilson County Citizen and the Independence Daily Reporter.
In July, Stafford and Barton counties will be the main focus. An illuminated billboard will be placed in Great Bend. Print ads will run in the Great Bend Tribune- fair section, The Stafford Courier, The Rocket and the Ellinwood Leader. Radio spots will run on the Kansas Ag Network including KFRM-AM in Clay Center, KVGB-AM and KBGL-AM in Great Bend, KCAY-AM and KRSL-AM in Russell, KRSL-AM, and KAYS-AM in Hays.
The KPA’s plan, in cooperation with the Kansas Soybean Commission, is to cover different counties within Kansas every month until October. Please let us know if and how the advertisements are affecting your communities
Pork Retail Kits Displayed in Commissaries
The Kansas Pork Association, along with the National Pork Board, provided pork nutrition retail kits to thirty DeCA commissaries in the Southern, Central and Midwestern United States. These point of sale materials, including recipes, along with retail cut posters provide consumers with updated information on the nutritional content of pork.
“We appreciate the KPA and NPB’s assistance. These materials provide DeCA with tools necessary to help focus on customer’s health and wellness and provide an exciting shopping experience,” Barb Hail, Sarvis Inc., said.
“It also helps DeCA promote the commissary benefit which improves military quality of life, and has a positive impact on the recruitment, retention, and readiness of today's military. The commissary benefit is rated as one of the top non-pay benefits,” continued Hail.
Retail kits in Kansas were placed in the meat departments at the Ft. Leavenworth Commissary, the Ft. Riley Commissary and the McConnell AFB Commissary. Materials were also disbursed to the following defense commissary agencies in these states: Michigan, Florida, Indiana, Georgia, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Missouri, Nebraska and Colorado.
The Defense Commissary Agency with headquarters at Fort Lee, Virginia, operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Authorized patrons purchase items at cost plus a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. Shoppers save an average of 30 percent or more on their purchases compared to commercial prices - savings worth more than $2,700 annually for a family of four. A core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America's military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.
The Kansas Nutrition Council Conference Serves Pork
The Kansas Pork Association sponsored pork for the luncheon of the 2007 Kansas Nutrition Council Conference, Accepting Size Diversity, Thinking Outside the Box, held Thursday, April 12, 2007, in Salina.
More than 125 participants attended the event and were served Pan-Seared Chops with Pear and Soy-Ginger Glaze, a pork recipe, provided by the National Pork Board and www.theotherwhitemeat.com.
Attendees also received an updated health professional white paper in CD format covering pork’s role in a healthful diet. It included a recipe brochure featuring healthful cuts of pork, also listing the recipe they were served. Attendees also received an educational program DVD developed for 7th and 8th grade Family and Consumer Science classrooms that focuses on meat and protein in your diet.
Kansas Agriculture Day at the Statehou
The Kansas Pork Association co-sponsored the luncheon for Kansas Legislators on Ag Day at the Statehouse, held March 20, 2007. Capital visitors, lobbyists and Legislators were able to stop at the Kansas Pork Association’s booth for pork recipes to take home. The booth highlighted Kansas pork industry facts, producer and community outreach programs along with pork’s new nutritional information
The Kansas Pork Association was one of the many commodity groups represented at the day’s events. Other participants included the Kansas Department of Agriculture; Kansas Department of Commerce; Kansas Cotton Association; Kansas Wheat; Kansas Corn Growers Association/ Commission; Kansas Beef Council; Kansas Dairy Association; Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers/Commission; and the Kansas Soybean Commission
Mandy Gramkow, KPA staff, talks with a visitor to the KPA booth during the Ag Day event.
Feral Swine Media Day
The U.S. Wildlife Service hosted a media event on the feral swine control program at the Clinton Lake Wildlife Area recently.
Reporters from TV stations in Topeka, Lawrence and Kansas City interviewed Tim Stroda, KPA President-CEO; Tom Halstead, state director of Wildlife Services; Paul Grosdidier, a veterinarian with the Kansas Animal Health Department; and Brenna Wulfkuhle, a landowner in the area.
To read a story generated at the media event, click on Kansas City Star.
Reporters interview Paul Grosdidier, a veterinarian with
the Kansas Animal Health Department, who took blood
and tissue samples from hogs taken near Clinton Lake.
Representing Kansas producers at the recent National
Pork Forum were from left: Alan Haverkamp, Bern;
Ron Suther, Blaine; Chris Cox, Long Island; and
Steve Eichman, Westmoreland.
Discussing issues at Pork Forum are Tim Stroda,
KPA President-CEO, and Ron Suther, Blaine.
The event includes the National Pork Act Delegate
Body Annual Meeting and the National Pork
Producers Council Annual Business Meeting.
KPA Annual Meeting held in Topeka
At Monday's KPA Annual Meeting held in Topeka, KPA members adopted a new KPA Policy Handbook. This document will provide leadership and staff with direction on issues. To view the document, click on KPA Policy Handbook.
Kent Condray, Clifton; Alan Haverkamp, Bern; and Ron Suther, Blaine, were elected to three-year terms on the KPA Executive Board. Michael Springer, Sycamore, was elected to fill a one-year vacancy on the Board.
Representative Sharon Schwartz, Washington,
who serves as the Chair of the House
Appropriations Committee, spoke to the group
on the 2007 Legislative session.
Gary Reckrodt, CMA Consulting, provided
information on the National Pork Producers
Council's LEADR program. This program is
designed to encourage pork producers to become
more involved in national legislative issues.
KPA Executive Board Meeting held in Topeka
The Kansas Pork Association Executive Board also held a meeting on Monday. The group elected Pete Sherlock DVM, Washington, to serve as Chairman for 2007.
KPA Executive Board members (from left) Pete Sherlock DMV,
Washington; Kent Condray, Clifton; and Alan Haverkamp, Bern;
work on issues during the meeting.
KPA helps sponsor KSU Swine Profitability Conference
The Kansas Pork Association was again a sponsor of the KSU Swine Profitability Conference held recently at the K-State Union.
Alan Haverkamp, Bern, talked on "How We’ve Grown
Our Agri-Business with the Help of Family and Friends."
During lunch, Joy Philippi, President of the National Pork Producers Council, from Bruning, Nebraska, provided an overview of national legislative issues.
Dr. John Lawrence, Iowa State University, talked on
"Will There be Enough Corn to Go Around? – Impact
of Biofuels on Corn and Soybean Meal Prices."
Stan Weber, Color Announcer on Radio Network for
K-State Sports talked about "Life Lessons That Can
be Learned from the History of K-State Football."