ADDL and Farm Animal Hospital Showcased at 2024 Midwest Pork Conference

Side-by-side booths for the Farm Animal Hospital and the ADDL gave Jessica Schneider, RVT, and Dr. Darryl Ragland, of the Swine Field Service, and Dr. Craig Bowen, ADDL assistant director, the opportunity to visit with attendees at the Midwest Pork Conference.
Side-by-side booths for the Farm Animal Hospital and the ADDL gave Jessica Schneider, RVT, and Dr. Darryl Ragland, of the Swine Field Service, and Dr. Craig Bowen, ADDL assistant director, the opportunity to visit with attendees at the 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.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr, Kelly Dold | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

Today we’re sending a big “High Five” to Emma Wood, who is a Medical Oncology Client Liaison and the Client Liaison Team Lead for the Purdue Small Animal Reception Team, for the supportive energy she brings to her work every day.

In Memory: Former Veterinary Medical Library Staff Member Tonya Mull 

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is saddened to learn that Tonya R. Mull of Lafayette, Indiana, who served as a longtime Purdue Libraries staff member, including multiple years as a staff member in the Veterinary Medical Library, passed away October 18 at Franciscan Health Lafayette East.  She was 59.

PVM Symposium Offers MOAAR Education on Medicine of Aquatics, Amphibians and Reptiles

Veterinary professionals and students gathered recently at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine to take advantage of a special opportunity to enhance their knowledge and expertise about the care and treatment of aquatic, amphibian, and reptilian species. The fifth biennial Medicine of Aquatics, Amphibians, and Reptiles (MOAAR) Symposium was held October 18–19, at Lynn Hall on Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus, bringing together veterinarians, veterinary technicians, students, and experts dedicated to the care of exotic species.

Local Veterinary Celebration Highlights Global Veterinary Education

Going global is a popular ambition in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine as evidenced by the turnout for the college’s annual Global Engagement Fair last Friday, October 17. Held in the Veterinary Medical Library in Lynn Hall, the festive event featured international cuisine and displays about various study abroad opportunities available to Purdue DVM and Veterinary Technology students.