PEORIA, Ill. — The 2007 Illinois Pork Expo, set for Jan. 30-31 at the Peoria Civic Center in downtown Peoria, will mark the 60th anniversary of the Illinois Pork Producers Assoc.’s (IPPA) service to the state’s pork industry.

“This year’s Expo will celebrate that significant anniversary with a special awards banquet on Jan. 30,” said Tim Maiers, IIPA director of public relations. “The Pork Expo will again offer a jam-packed agenda with something for everyone involved in the pork industry - such as producers, contract growers, employees and youth.”

Those attending the Expo, in the Civic Center’s Exposition Hall, will hear from pork industry experts on various issues, learn ways to improve their operations at the new Pork Production Resource Center, see the largest swine-specific trade show in Illinois and have an opportunity to network and socialize with a diverse audience of key decision makers in the industry.

“The Expo features numerous attractions for pork producers of all sizes and types of operations,” Maiers told Farm World.

“We have an outstanding lineup of educational seminars highlighting industry experts addressing many hot topics facing pork producers such as the impact of biofuels on pork production, Circovirus disease management, environmental regulations and animal welfare issues. We have also again focused seminars on Wednesday, Jan. 31 for purebred, seed stock, and show pig producers and youth involved in the show pig industry.”

Maiers said the Pork Production Resource Center will offer producers ways to improve their operations by featuring the latest pork industry research on odor/emission reduction, auto-sort technology and managing variability of DDGS. Infor-mation helping producers manage higher feed costs will also be offered at the Resource Center.

The Expo will kickoff on Monday, Jan. 29 when the IPPA has its annual meetings. Exhibitors will set up that same day in anticipation of the Expo’s official opening at 8:30 a.m., Jan. 30.

Some of the seminars scheduled for that day include The Future of Biofuels in the U.S. and Illinois, Positioning Pork Operations for Higher Feed Costs, Update on CAFO Regulations & NPDES Permits and The Rules are Changing: What US Pork Producers Need to Know About the Animal Rights Movement. The Expo will close at 4 p.m. on Jan. 29.

A reception and pork production auction will be from 4-6 p.m. at the Civic Center. The scene will then shift to the nearby Pere Marquette Hotel’s Cotillion Room for the IPPA 60-Year Celebration awards program and banquet from 6-9 p.m. Mike Adams, AgriTalk Radio host, will emcee the event.

Seminars scheduled for Jan. 31 include: Feeding Strategies for Growth in Show Pigs, Management Options for Porcine Circovirus Associated Disease, Health Requirements for Showing Pigs in Illinois and Successful Auctions, Internet Sales and Bidding of Hogs. The Expo wraps up at 2 p.m.

“The Pork Expo is not all serious business,” Maiers said. “There are several opportunities for attendees to have fun and even win prizes. We will be having a Casino Night on Jan. 29 (6-9 p.m. at the Pere Marquette’s ballroom), which will be a fun-filled night with several casino games such as blackjack, Texas Hold ’Em, roulette, and craps. All attendees will receive some play money to gamble with and there will be prizes available for the winners. Also the Expo attendees will be able to win raffle prizes from various exhibitors.”

Maiers said the greatest advantage to attending the Expo is the opportunity to network and socialize with an audience of key decision-makers in the industry.

“All producers are encouraged to make plans to attend this year’s expo. If producers haven’t been to the Pork Expo in the past few years, they should come and see what they’re missing. This event is guaranteed to be worth their time to attend,” he said.

For more information about speakers, seminars, events or registering for the Illinois Pork Expo (pre-registration ends Jan. 15; registration at door available), visit www.ilpork.com or call the IPPA office at 217-529-3100.