Welcome to the Pork Conference
Networking
Network with the 800 attendees at NPIC with most producer participants representing the top 150 pork production systems in North America. Participants represent areas of management, production, nutrition, health, finance, human resources and more.
Speakers
NPIC will showcase over 25 highly qualified speakers who will bring their expertise to mainstage and breakout sessions.
Break-outs
Break-out sessions are presented on Monday afternoon of the conference. Participants will have the opportunity to choose between 10+ sessions focused on relevant industry topics.
Family Fun
Wisconsin Dells, better known as “The Waterpark Capital of the World!®” offers fun for all ages. Enjoy the endless hours of fun at the NPIC host hotel, Kalahari, where there is an exciting mix of rides, slides and adventures for the whole family in the resort waterpark and thrilling indoor theme park. Plus, check out the resort’s other amenities such as Spa Kalahari & Salon and exceptional dining options.
Golf
Year after year folks look forward to the annual NPIC golf tournament held on Tuesday afternoon at the award winning Trappers Turn Golf Course in Wisconsin Dells. Please visit the Registration section of the web page to register for the golf tournament.
Hope to see you there!
NPIC celebrates its 24th year in 2020. Once again, three full days of exceptional presentations, networking and collaboration will take place during the conference. We hope to see you in August!
About Conference
24th Annual National Pork Conference
The National Pork Industry Conference (NPIC) was the vision of Larry Graham and has roots back to the early 90’s. The current generation of NPIC was founded by Larry & Jean Graham in 1997 and was initially held at various upper Midwest locations. As the conference attendance grew, it ultimately found a home at the Four Seasons Resort, then Tan-Tar-A at Lake of the Ozarks, before moving in 2010 to its current location at the Kalahari Waterpark and Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
The NPIC conference is built upon three pillars: education, networking, and family. The conference offers a wide array of sessions focused on current swine industry topics, nutrition, health, safety, marketing and more. 21st Century Strategic Forums, L.L.C. produces and hosts the conference and partners with leading allied industry companies to deliver what some call, “The Best Pork Producer Event in North America”.
The National Pork Industry Conference is held annually the 2nd week of July and attracts 800 attendees with most producer participants representing the Top 150 Pork Production Systems in North America.
GET THE KIDS INVOLVED
The Nation Pork Industry Conference (NPIC) is again partnering with Smithfield Foods to offer the Smithfield Foods Youth Workshop to elementary and middle school age youth during the NPIC conference. This session will be an exciting and interactive way to get our youth involved in the pork industry! Youth will learn about pork production, fresh pork marketing, career options in the pork industry and have a chance to grill up their very own pork creations.
Participation is free, be sure to check back for online registration.
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Lead Sponsors
Cooperating Sponsors
Accommodations
1305 Kalahari Dr – Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
When you visit Kalahari Resorts, you’ll know right away you’re somewhere special. Featuring an exciting mix of rides, slides and adventures, it’s an incredible time for the whole family. From our amazing water park to our thrilling Indoor Theme Park, we offer an array of attractions for children of all ages, whether they’re 3 or 13 or 30 and up. Plus, with amenities such as Spa Kalahari & Salon, exceptional dining options and championship golf, Kalahari goes beyond your expectations.
Registration
Now Open
Sponsor
If you are an NPIC sponsor, click here to register and view attendees.
Industry
Are you a representative of a company that supports producers?
Producer
Are you primarily a pork producer by profession?
Golf
Are you interested in joining the golf outing?
Conference Agenda
Day 1
Sunday, August 16, 2020
Registration
NPIC KICK-OFF BBQ
Africa Ballroom
Enjoy a delicious barbeque with select pork items prepared by Lynch Livestock on their BIG GRILL that you’ve seen at World Pork Expo. Join old friends and make new ones!
Day 2
Monday, August 17, 2020
Breakfast
Ballrooms 1-8
Buffet Breakfast
Main Stage Sessions
Ballrooms A-H
- Join us as Peter presents an expert understanding of demography, economics, energy, politics, technology, and security to help clients best prepare for an uncertain future. Peter Ziehan, Owner – Zeihan on Geopolitics
- Dhamu R. Thamodaran, EVP, chief strategy officer, and chief commodity hedging officer – Smithfield Foods, Inc.
Lunch
Africa West Ballroom
Breakout Sessions
Conference ends for the day
Enjoy your evening.
Day 3
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Breakfast
Ballrooms 1-8
Buffet Breakfast, Served until 7:45 am
Early Bird Session
Main Stage
Ballrooms A-H
- The “Other” Impact of COVID-19 on the Swine Industry. Christine McCracken, Executive Director, Animal Protein – RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness
- Global Pork Trade and COVID Impact. Brett Stuart, Founder – Global AgriTrends
- Our Sustainability Story and How we Tell it. Frank Mitloehner, Professor and Air Quality Specialist in Cooperative Extension in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis.
Conference Ends for the Day
The conference ends for the day. Enjoy golf, boating, sightseeing in the Dells or just relaxing with your family in the water park.
Day 4
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
Breakfast
Grab N Go Breakfast. Grab a quick bite and enjoy it during the Early Bird Session. Served until 7:45 am
Early Bird Session
What’s on Your Mind? Larry Graham, Founder – 21st Century Strategic Forums
Ballrooms A-H
- COVID and Regulatory Updates, The National Election Race. Nick Giordano, Vice President and Counsel, Global Government Affairs – National Pork Producers Council
- Focusing on the Markets. Led by our industry economic experts, Dr. Steve Meyer, and Joe Kerns – Kerns & Associates
Conference Adjourns
See You Next Year. July 11-14, 2021
Address
21st Century Strategic Forums
3782 9th Street SW
Mason City, Iowa 50401
Send Email
Phone
(314) 276-4880
With over 30 years of experience, including a strong focus in the financial services industry, Shonda Sammons works directly with employers and employees to provide coaching, guidance, and expertise to build brand advocates. Through working directly with frontline and support staff, and gaining a thorough understanding of a company’s strategic and branding focus, she fosters abilities and uncovers hidden competitive advantages in a company’s existing workforce.
Frank Mitloehner is a Professor and Air Quality Specialist in Cooperative Extension in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis. He received his MS degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Leipzig, Germany, and his Ph.D. degree in Animal Science from Texas Technical University.
Before joining the National Pork Board, Bill managed DuPont Pioneer’s global industry relations strategy. In that role, he built collaborative stakeholder relationships in the areas of seed, biotechnology, biofuels, and farm policy. Prior to that position, he served as DuPont Pioneer’s Commercial Unit Lead for South Dakota, North Dakota, and northwest Minnesota where he was responsible for leading seed sales, operational marketing, agronomy, training, demand planning, precision agriculture and policy needs in the region.
Dr. Trey Kellner received his M.S. and Ph.D. from Iowa State University in 2017, following his B.S. at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. He joined AMVC Nutritional Services as their first Swine Nutritionist. Trey oversees the feeding program for over 150,000 sows and 1,200,000 market pigs per year in 9 states across 28 feed mills. Trey works in tandem with primary caretakers, production managers, veterinarians, central feed desk employees, and feed mill managers to execute successful feeding programs and predict economic and performance outcomes. His professional, research and academic achievements have earned him recognition as a: Stahly/Peo Outstanding Swine Nutrition Graduate Student, ASAS Young Scholar, and Iowa State University Graduate College Emerging Leader. Most recently, Trey was honored with the 2020 Young Alumni of Distinction Award by the Animal Science Department at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Trey currently resides in Audubon, Iowa with his wife Heather and son Theo.
Dr. Kelly grew up on a farm in Kokomo, Indiana, and always knew he wanted to be a veterinarian. In 2003, he graduated with a DVM from Purdue University’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Kelly is a swine practitioner and managing partner at Suidae Health and Production, a swine-exclusive practice of six swine veterinarians serving clients in Iowa and the Midwest. Since joining Suidae in 2003, Dr. Kelly has earned the respect of his clients through diligent application of scientific knowledge and art, integrity, and character. He currently resides with his family in Algona, IA.
Dr. Michelle Sprague – DVM
Kristen Cumming offers over 20 years’ experience in career development and human resources, complemented by a passion for demography. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a Master of Education degree in Workplace and Adult Learning. Kristen was an instructor with the University of Alberta – Augustana Campus for eight years and for the past 20 has operated a successful consulting practice through which she serves as a speaker, facilitator, and trainer on recruitment and retention, leadership, and execution.
Dr. Tim Loula is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine. He is co-founder and co-owner of Swine Vet Center, an exclusively swine veterinary practice in St. Peter, Minnesota which employs 15 swine veterinary consultants.
Dr. Chris Sievers – DVM
Jennifer is a Research Associate at Livestock Gentec, at the University of Alberta. She received her MSc in Animal Science from the University of Alberta, specializing in Gilt Management and Reproduction. Her work focuses on implementing management practices to better capture the true genetic potential of the contemporary dam and sire lines through improving gilt management to maximize sow lifetime productivity, improving the impact of AI boars in the production system and improving efficiencies at the production level. She enjoys working with industry partners to conduct research projects in commercial settings and analyzing production data to help make data-driven decisions that will positively affect overall herd performance.
Kara Stewart – Assistant Professor of Animal Science
Nick Giordano is Vice President and Counsel, Global Government Affairs for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). He leads NPPC’s D.C. office and is involved in all aspects of policy issues as they impact the interests of U.S. pork producers. Those issues include, but are not limited to, agriculture, economic, energy, environment, food, immigration, production, science & technology, tax, and trade.
Pat VonTersch, founder and owner of Professional Ag Marketing, has “skin in the game”. As a producer himself, Pat knows that to manage risk and react to the market, you must be adaptive and innovative. At Professional Ag Marketing, the overriding core value is to do what’s right for each client by helping them make the best decisions. A dedicated team of experts provides focused and customized models as well as share information, recommendations, and guidance to producers to help maximize their profitability.
Dr. Steve Meyer joined Kerns and Associates in January 2018 after serving as Vice President – Pork Analysis at EMI Analytics since May 2015. Dr. Meyer’s duties at Kerns and Associates include ongoing analysis of hog and pork markets and assisting Kerns clients (which now include the National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council) in using his insights to successfully manage their businesses. He brings a wealth of experience in the livestock industry. His breadth of work in the pork industry is unique. Prior to his time at EMI Analytics, Dr. Meyer was President of Paragon Economics, Inc. where he also monitored and analyzed cattle, beef, and poultry markets to meet the needs of his diverse set of clients. He served for 12 years as an author of The Daily Livestock Report sponsored by CME Group, an e-newsletter whose circulation grew steadily following its introduction in 2003. In addition, he writes a feature article for National Hog Farmer’s Weekly Preview e-letter that focuses on economic issues in North America’s swine/pork sector.
Dhamu R. Thamodaran, executive vice president, chief strategy officer, and chief commodity hedging officer for Smithfield Foods, Inc., has been a global leader in the agricultural industry for more than 30 years.
has twenty-five years’ experience working with producers, suppliers, and mills to support agricultural operations. He and his team assist clients with procurement and risk management activities related to hedging, ingredient purchase, optimizing relationships with mills, developing programs to assist in feed quality control, cost-effective diet formulation, operational benchmarking, livestock marketing, generational transition, and business development. Prior to this consulting venture, he directed risk management activities for industry leaders such as ADM, Premium Standard Farms, Continental Grain, and Iowa Select Farms. In his current enterprise as a risk management consultant, he and his team work with livestock producers and suppliers in 13 states. Clients include packers, producers, veterinarians, researchers, mill operators, and feed ingredient suppliers. Team members have also served as keynote speakers for international agricultural agencies and suppliers, providing context about commodity markets, nutritional factors impacting production, and operational sustainability, leadership, and ownership.