Banff Pork Seminar 2019 tackles "Change, Challenge, Opportunity"

Date posted: October 15, 2018

Canada's major pork industry event is off and running as the first registrations roll in for the 2019 Banff Pork Seminar (BPS). It runs Jan. 8 to 10, 2019 at the Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alta.

The theme "Change, Challenge, Opportunity" is fitting given that the industry is coming off a volatile year in pork markets, says BPS program co-chair Dr. Michael Dyck of the University of Alberta. "The North American pork industry is a resilient group. When they face challenge they look to the future, think change and opportunity.

"We're confident the 2019 program will deliver fresh thinking for delegates," he says. "The Banff Seminar has built its brand with the best speakers on key topics of the day."

"We strive for a blend of big picture and practical," adds his 2019 program co-chair, Dr. Ruurd Zijlstra. "Plenary sessions deliver the latest on the big issues and breakout sessions focus on thinking and ideas that can often be taken home and implemented."

Tuesday evening's welcome reception begins the always enjoyable social side of the big seminar in the beautiful, world renowned mountain town. Wednesday's morning plenary session tackles "The future of protein," with international market researcher Professor David Hughes. He is followed by Dr. Ellen Goddard of the University of Alberta who will speak on "Disruptive technologies, meat quality and consumer perceptions."

Thursday's morning plenary sees Joe Kerns of Kerns and Associates tackle "Tariffs, trade and trepidation: The implication on the pork sector now and into the future."

A broad selection of breakout sessions over two days deal with topics that most directly affect production. Topics include meat quality, animal welfare and transport, feed efficiency, human resources, managing the robust pig, sow longevity, and big data and technology. Wednesday also features a special innovators' breakout session.

Full program details and registration information is available at the Seminar website www.banffpork.ca. Follow on Twitter @banffpork. Connect on Facebook /BanffPork. Get complete Seminar coverage in a Special Meeting Report. Find the Special Report link on the Seminar site home page, or directly on the www.meristem.com home page.