ADDL and Farm Animal Hospital Showcased at 2024 Midwest Pork Conference

More than 300 Indiana pork producers gathered this week in Noblesville, Indiana for the 2024 Midwest Pork Conference, where they had the opportunity to interact with representatives of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Held at the Embassy Suites Conference Center, the one-day conference Tuesday, December 3, featured an annual economic update, a trade show, educational sessions, and industry networking opportunities.

The Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and Purdue University Farm Animal Hospital were highlighted at the conference’s trade show, which featured more than 50 vendors and served as a center of activity for pork producers, veterinarians, legislators, and industry leaders. ADDL Director Kenitra Hendrix and Assistant Director Craig Bowen helped staff the ADDL booth. Dr. Darryl Ragland, head of the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital’s Swine Field Service and professor of food animal production medicine, and Jessica Schneider, Swine Field Service veterinary technologist (nurse), talked with attendees at the Farm Animal Hospital booth. Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Bret Marsh also visited the event to interact with stakeholders.

In addition, Dr. Bowen provided an ADDL update at a related meeting of Indiana swine veterinarians. “Connecting with the swine veterinarians and pork producers of Indiana is an important priority for the ADDL, and the Midwest Pork Conference provides a great opportunity for doing that,” Dr. Bowen said.
Conference sessions covered a variety of topics and included a keynote panel of pork producers and industry members who shared experiences and strategies related to challenging dynamics in the pork industry. Additional panel discussions and breakout sessions provided industry updates and addressed such topics as barn technology and automation, marketing tools for managing risks, best practice management, breeding barn basics, changing industry dynamics, labor shortages, and pork demand domestically and internationally.

The annual Midwest Pork Conference is hosted by the Indiana Pork Producers Association, known as Indiana Pork, which represents more than 2,800 pork producers in the state. Indiana Pork is an affiliate of the National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council and is supported by a board of directors made up of industry members and producers.