Follow-up shows conference brings change, hope

By Rich Pirog
Education coordinator
It took place during some of the worst times in years for Iowa hog producers. But the Leopold Center's Swine System Options Conference last February resulted in positive changes, a follow-up survey of participants shows.

The conference drew about 350 people including more than 175 swine producers. Co-sponsored with nine organizations, the program focused on management, marketing and production information on alternative production systems for swine producers with small- to medium-sized operations.

Follow-up surveys sent six months after the conference assessed how the event helped participants. More than 40 percent of the hog producers responded, providing comments and suggestions. Among the producers, the survey showed that:

  • 64 percent had raised hogs at least 20 years, 17 percent less than 10 years;
  • 47 percent indicated that the conference played a role in changing management, production or marketing practices for their operation;
  • 47 percent had examined alternative markets for their pork since the conference;
  • 39 percent had contacted other producers, researchers or educators they met at the conference for more information;
  • 25 percent had changed marketing strategies since the conference, and
  • 15 percent had built new or remodeled existing structures, and many of the new structures were hooped buildings.

For a copy of the survey summary or conference proceedings, contact the Leopold Center. Co-sponsors included a number of ISU groups plus the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau and Practical Farmers of Iowa.

Return to Winter 1999 Leopold Letter index