Volume 20 | Issue 3

Deadline is fast approaching! Nominate a deserving colleague today!

Nominations are being accepted through Feb. 19 for annual awards to recognize excellence in our industry. The lineup includes awards that aim to recognize young leaders, industry employees and industry innovation. Awards winners will be recognized at the Awards Luncheon at the  Annual Conference  on March 11. For criteria and an application, click on the name of the award below:

The NC Pork Council Hall of Fame   recognizes those persons with long and outstanding service to North Carolina’s pork industry and the North Carolina Pork Council. Entry to the North Carolina Pork Council Hall of Fame is the highest honor the organization bestows. Outstanding Pork Producer of the Year   recognizes and honors a pork producer or family who has made significant contributions to the pork industry in North Carolina. Emerging Leader Award   recognizes and honors a pork producer aged 40 or younger who has contributed to the pork industry in North Carolina and exhibits potential for leadership. In previous years, this award was known as the Pork All-American. Award for Excellence in Innovation   recognizes and honors individuals or institutions for advancing the pork industry through innovative techniques, applications and/or action that include -- but are not limited to -- environmental stewardship, sustainability, research, science and other related advancements in the pork industry. W.W. Shay Award for Industry Distinction   recognizes and honors an individual who has exhibited outstanding service to the pork industry as an employee of a pork industry company. For purpose of this award, a company may be a farming company, an integrator, a processor, an allied company or other related entity. This award is named for William Warden Shay, who as the first swine extension officer in North Carolina instituted methods and techniques with the singular goal of securing and/or increasing profit for farmers from pork production in the state.

NEW! TQA and PQA+ certification classes added to conference agenda If you want to be TQA or PQA+ certified, you'll have the opportunity at the NC Pork Conference in Raleigh on March 10 and 11. These two-hour training courses are for anyone involved in raising pigs. Cost is free, but you must register in advance. Click on the conference registration button below and select the training session(s) you wish to attend. Certification lasts 3 years.

Mark your calendars for the Annual Conference

2020 NC Pork Conference presented by

Tuesday, March 10 1 p.m. Registration opens, sponsored by Murphy Family Ventures 2 p.m. TQA Certification Training (2 hours) 2 p.m. Update from the CEO 3 p.m. November Election Outlook Tim Boyum of Spectrum News will moderate discussion with Democratic campaign consultant Morgan Jackson, whose clients include Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican campaign strategist Paul Shumaker, who is heading up Sen. Tillis’ re-election campaign. 4 p.m. Welcome Social sponsored by Rabo AgriFinance 5:30-10 p.m. Bacon Bash (Members-only event to raise money for the NCPC Political Action Committee.)    Wednesday, March 11 7:15 a.m. Breakfast  sponsored by the Farm Credit Associations of NC 7:45 a.m.   Annual Meeting 8:30 a.m. State and National updates NC Pork Council – Everett Johnson, 2019 President National Pork Board – Bill Even, CEO National Pork Producers Council – Neil Dierks, CEO 10:15 a.m. Break out Sessions  (Choose one) Sludge Management and Research update* from Dr. Mahmoud Sharara of NC State CALS African Swine Fever update from State Veterinarian Dr. Doug Meckes and Dr. Lisa Becton of the National Pork Board 11:15 a.m. Break sponsored by Duke Energy 11:30 a.m. General Permit Q&A* with Christine Lawson, NC Department of Environmental Quality 12:30 p.m. Awards luncheon sponsored by Smithfield Foods ($15) 2 p.m. Batch Farrowing Panel (2 hours) Many companies are moving farms to batch farrowing to help with disease management. Come to this 2-hour session to get an introductory lesson about this method and have the opportunity to ask questions to the experts.  2 p.m. PQA+ Certification Training (2 hours) 4 p.m. Adjourn Schedule subject to change **OIC credits will be applied for

REGISTER NOW!

Book conference hotel by Feb. 16 for best rate Hilton Raleigh North Hills (formerly North Raleigh Hilton) 3415 Wake Forest Rd Raleigh, NC 27609 Rooms in the room block are $159; secure your room by Feb. 16 to ensure best price! Reserve your room now online or call 1-800-774-1500 and use the code NCPORK to receive the group rate.  The Hilton Raleigh North Hills is just off the Wake Forest Road exit on the I-440 Beltline. Parking is free and abundant on site for all visitors. The hotel is convenient to downtown Raleigh and to North Hills.

Thanks to our conference sponsors!

Limited conference sponsorship opportunities are still available!

Please participate in rural broadband internet survey

The Broadband Infrastructure Office of the N.C. Department of Information Technology has been working on a survey to capture data on broadband availability on farms and to locate underserved areas. Specifically this survey is targeting connectivity to farm offices , although the survey has a few questions at the end on connectivity in the fields. Please take the survey from your farm office. The survey requires an address for the farm office, seeks information about availability of wired, cellular and wireless (fixed and satellite) connectivity and performs a speed test.

Take the survey

BACON BASH will be held on March 10.

Bacon Bash is a members-only fundraiser on March 10. Click on image for more details.

Sponsors and auction items needed for Bacon Bash Contact Angie Maier for more information.

Lets add hog farms to the Century Farms list!

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the  Century Family Farm Program , a state recognition program of farms that have been in continuous family ownership for 100 years of more. If your farm has been in continuous family ownership for 100 years or more, it's easy to submit your farm to the program. There is also a recognition for Bicentennials Farms, or farms that have been in continuous family ownership for 200 years or more. Listen here as Commissioner Troxler talks about the program . Please let Jen Kendrick know if you are a NC Century Farm - jen@ncpork.org .

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