Illinois Pork Producers Advocate for Industry at State Capitol

May 06, 2024

On Wednesday, Illinois Pork Producers took their message, along with some sizzling bacon, to the state capitol. Led by Jennifer Tirey, executive director of the Illinois Pork Producers Association, the initiative aimed to engage urban legislators who may lack familiarity with hog farming.

Dubbed “Bacon Day for Illinois,” Tirey emphasized the importance of educating legislators about the pork industry. She highlighted the value of personal interactions, often leading to invitations for farm tours, as legislators play a crucial role in shaping industry policies.

To enhance their message, the Pork Producers Association offered complimentary BLT sandwiches, leveraging the universal appeal of bacon to foster dialogue and celebration.

Their efforts were recognized with Illinois Senate Joint Resolution 50, officially declaring May 1st as Bacon Day in the state.

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Video: Intrauterine Vaccines in Swine - Dr. Heather Wilson

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Heather Wilson from VIDO at the University of Saskatchewan explains how intrauterine vaccination is being developed as a new option for swine health. She shares how formulation, adjuvants, and delivery methods influence immune responses and what early trials reveal about safety and reproductive performance. Listen now on all major platforms.

"The idea was that an intrauterine vaccine might avoid a tolerance response and instead create an active immune response."

Meet the guest: Dr. Heather Wilson / heather-wilson-a8043641 is a Senior Scientist and Program Manager at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization at the University of Saskatchewan. Her work centers on vaccine formulation and delivery in pigs, including the development of intrauterine vaccination to support reproductive health and passive protection of piglets. Her background spans biochemistry, immunology, and functional pathogenomics.