Inside BPS Blog

News from the BPS Communications from inside the 2024 Banff Pork Seminar.

• PigGen Canada – the 2024 Recipient of the George Foxcroft Lectureship Award
• The annual last minute tips for BPS delegates
• The people behind Banff Pork Seminar 2024
• Thank you to 2024 BPS Sponsors

Date posted: January 24, 2024

Michael Dyck (left) & Bob Kemp, VP R&D and Genetic Programs, Genesus Inc.

Genomic innovation was at the heart of the research presented this week by the recipient of the 2024 George Foxcroft Lectureship in Swine Production Award, PigGen Canada. This is the first time the Lectureship has gone to an organization instead of an individual.

"PigGen Canada is a very unique organization where genetics companies come together to focus on major issues that are too big to tackle alone. This award is the acknowledgement of their vision and support for significant research over the last decade," says Michael Dyck, Banff Pork Seminar Program co-chair.

PigGen Canada is a not-for-profit organization that is managed by a board of directors, with representatives from member swine genetics organizations. Incorporated in 2009, their primary objectives are to represent the Canadian swine genetics industry with one voice, and to develop strategies in swine genetic research that align with the priorities of the Canadian pork industry.

The George Foxcroft Lectureship Award is in honour of the late University of Alberta professor emeritus, Dr. George Foxcroft, a swine research pioneer and industry icon. Every year the Award allows Banff Pork Seminar, in conjunction with the University of Alberta, to host speakers who are conducting relevant, high profile research that could improve production efficiency.

"PigGen truly met the criteria for the Award. 'Research to reality' was so important to George and the pre-competitive work PigGen supports exemplifies this," says Dyck.

The presentations by researchers Bob Kemp (Genesus), Tom Rathje (DNA Genetics), Egbert Knol (Topigs Norsvin), and Jack Dekkers (Iowa State University) covered: Genomic selection and its impact on current genetics; Individual SNP effects and applications in breeding; and Indicators and genetics of disease resilience. The related papers are available to conference attendees in the BPS proceedings.

Date posted: January 3, 2024

As we head to Banff for the 2024 Banff Pork Seminar (BPS) Seminar coordinator Ashley Steeple has provided quick list of last minute tips for attendees.

The venue. The Banff Springs Hotel has many options for restaurants and lounges right in the hotel and offers BPS attendees a 10% discount on dinners. Don't want to wait? Make your reservation ahead of time at www.fairmont.com/banff-springs/dining.

Registration payment. If BPS has not received payment for your registration or your group's registration, delegates will not be able to check in and pick up their kits until payment is received. Please ensure the first person to check in from your group is prepared to settle the invoice. Payment by credit card, cheque or cash is accepted.

Breakout sessions. The breakout sessions delegates have selected are printed on their name tags. If you did not choose sessions, the person who registered your group may have chosen for you.

Note that breakout sessions have limited seating and once a session is full, fire regulations prevent BPS from allowing more people in. Please arrive at least five minutes before the session to avoid disrupting speakers and other delegates and to ensure you get to see sessions you want.

Wednesday evening is open. There is no formal event planned for Wednesday evening. Delegates can meet after the day's breakout sessions and enjoy a refreshment from the cash bar in the tradeshow area, then head out on their own to enjoy the best of Banff.

Wear your nametag. Name badges will be required for entry into sessions, functions and meals.

Free wireless. There is free Wi-Fi in the hotel and meeting rooms. Password is "Pork2024".

Check the BPS app. It will have all the program details delegates need for quick, easy access to program details such as breakout locations. App download details will be sent to each delegate.

Banff Airporter Shuttle discount. Anyone arriving by air and wishing to book on the Banff Airporter Shuttle can get a fifteen percent discount by booking online. Check under the Hotel and Travel button, Airport and Shuttle tab for booking link, promo code and details.

Free downtown shuttles. These will be running between downtown and the Banff Springs during the evenings of Jan 9, 10 & 11. See the program or the conference app for times and pickup locations.

Find the latest news at the Inside BPS 2024 Special Report. Get news, photos and the Inside BPS blog in this Special Meeting Report from the 2024 Banff Pork Seminar, presented by communications partner Meristem. Find the special report link on the BPS website home page. Inside BPS Report articles are available with credit for reprint for individual, industry or media use.

Follow BPS on X and LinkedIn. Follow us @BanffPork or with the #BanffPork hashtag for the latest news and highlights during the conference.

Seminar evaluations. These are critically important to planning future seminars so please fill them out.

The BPS team looks forward to meeting you in Banff.

Date posted: January 3, 2024

The Banff Pork Seminar relies on both its founding agencies and industry support to continue to bring a strong program together each year.

The BPS 2024 Advisory Committee is as follows:

• Chair: Steve Davies, Maple Leaf Agri-Foods, Carmen, Man.
• Program co-chairs: Michael Dyck and Ruurd Zijlstra, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.
• Conference coordinator: Ashley Steeple, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.
• Javier Bahamon, Alberta Pork, Edmonton, Alta.
• Maaike Campbell, Birnam Pork, Warwick Township, Ont.
• Lindsay Case, PIC, Montreal, Que.
• Melissa Da Costa, Baseline Pork, Harley, Ont.
• Jen Demare, Swine Health Professionals, Steinbach, Man.
• Andrew Fenton, DNA Genetics, London, Ont.
• Jennifer Hannesson, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Edmonton, Alta.
• Samuel Lefebvre, Jyga Technologies, Saint-Lambert-de-Lauzo, Que.
• Murray Pettitt, Prairie Swine Centre, Saskatoon, Sask.
• Rick Prejet, Porcherie Lac du Onze, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Man.
• Ben Willing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.
• Cordell Young, Precision Veterinary Services, Lethbridge, Alta.
• Zhenbin Zhang, Cargill Animal Health & Nutrition, London, Ont.

BPS appreciates the input and vision of these people. BPS organizers would remind everyone that the Advisory Committee is an open process. Anyone interested in serving on it or learning more about its role is invited to contact a current member.

Date posted: January 3, 2024

The success of the Banff Pork Seminar is greatly due to the many sponsors and supporters of BPS. The contributions of sponsors means delegate registration fees are much lower than actual costs. Their support also brings in broad group of delegates from across industry, academia and research. This leads to the great networking experience that has become a huge part of Banff Pork Seminar week.

The 2024 Seminar Sponsors are listed below in order of sponsorship category starting with the highest. All are thanked heartily for their contribution.

Select Sponsors

Supporting Sponsors