Farms.com Home   News

Regional pork meetings set for February

The annual series of Iowa Pork Regional Conferences has been a long-standing partnership of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa State University Extension and the Iowa Pork Industry Center, according to an Extension news release.

The goal to bring research and education to producers continues with this year’s topics:

  • Brian Blumhagen, director of operations, Altenburg Construction: What to inspect in hog barns, when to consider doing major repairs and what the repair, remodel or replacement costs will be.
  • Chris Rademacher, ISU Extension swine veterinarian: Composting practices to implement in your day-to-day operation and in case of a foreign animal disease.
  • ISU Extension agricultural engineers: Practical ways to improve barn ventilation, manage ventilation-related costs and run facilities more efficiently.
  • Gracie Greiner Marlow, IPPA sustainability manager: National Pork Board’s Pork Cares Farm Impact Reports provide data for the producer by tracking, measuring and monitoring conservation efforts in their operation.
  • ISU Extension swine specialists: Updates on issues and opportunities in respective areas.
Click here to see more...

Trending Video

How to Capture the $80 Million Ground Pork Opportunity | 2026 Retail Trends

Video: How to Capture the $80 Million Ground Pork Opportunity | 2026 Retail Trends

Meat is having a moment, and ground pork is perfectly positioned to help you capture new category growth.

In this business intelligence deep-dive, National Pork Board experts Bailey Morrell and Rick Smith break down the latest consumer behaviors, retail trends, and an $80 million incremental retail opportunity in ground pork.

Watch to learn how expanding your ground pork offerings, utilizing proper fat-lean ratio labeling, and building a dedicated "grinds set" can attract Gen Z and Millennial shoppers while driving "center of the plate" profitability.

we cover:

• Insights from the 2026 Power of Meat presentation.

• Why ground pork is the "gateway meat" for younger, high-value shoppers.

• How adding just two new ground pork SKUs can drive incremental sales.

• Actionable merchandising strategies, including the right fat-lean ratios for specific recipes.