Annual agriculture conference to merge technology, values

Learn the importance of and how to merge technology and values to help feed a growing and hungry world during the National Institute for Animal Agriculture's 2013 Annual Conference in Louisville, Ky., April 15-18, at The Galt House.
Five keynote speakers will provide facts and insight to this emotionally charged issue during the conferences opening and closing general sessions:
• Lowell Randel, Federation of Animal Sciences Societies, "Grand Societal Challenges and the Role of Animal Science"
• Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam, Cooperative Extension Specialist, Animal Genomics & Biotechnology, Department of Animal Science, University of California-Davis, "What Role Will Animal Biotechnology Play in Feeding the World?"
• Bryan Dierlam Director of Government Affairs, Cargill, "Policy That Will Meet the Growing Food Supply"
• Deborah Perkins, Managing Director, Rabobank International, Dallas office, "Financial Perspective: Impact of Tomorrow's Technology Trends and Developments on Animal Agriculture"
• Dr. John Ruby, Technical Services, JBS USA, "Getting to a Comprehensive Food Safety System"
Keeping in line with the conference theme "Animal Agriculture's Vision to Feed the World: Merging Values and Technology," these general session speakers will navigate the challenging and debate issues tied to food production and keep us abreast of the role technological advancements are playing today and the promises of tomorrow's technology," said Dr. Robert Fourdraine, Vice President of product services and development for AgSource Cooperative Services, Wisconsin, and chair of National Institute for Animal Agriculture's annual conference. "So many factors are intertwined and must work in harmony, and these presentations should help us have a more complete picture of the situation."
Randel, Van Eenennaam and Dierlam will speak on Tuesday morning, April 16, with Perkins and Ruby wrapping up the Annual Conference on Wednesday morning, April 17.
Conference attendees will learn about the challenges of merging values and technology as it pertains to each species during the species committee meetings on Tuesday afternoon. In addition to beef, dairy, equine, small ruminant and swine committees, a sixth committee-Aquatic Livestock-has been added this year. A slate of nationally known speakers at each committee meeting will provide information so attendees stay informed on the forefront of issues impacting the direction of meat animal production in North America.
Fourdraine adds that individuals are also encouraged to participate in the National Institute for Animal Agriculture's six council meetings: Animal Health Emergency Management Council, Global Animal Health, Food Security and Trade Council, Antibiotics Council, Animal Care Council, Animal Identification & Information Systems Council and Emerging Diseases Council.
"The annual conference is the ideal place where individuals from across all of animal agriculture -- from state and national organizations to allied industry leaders to extension specialists, researchers and academia to government officials -- can come together to network and influence industry-directed solutions to animal health, animal care and food safety concerns in North America," said Fourdraine.
Following the conference will be a Foot and Mouth Disease Symposium, which starts Wednesday afternoon and concludes Thursday afternoon.
The National Institute for Animal Agriculture is offering a two-events-one-registration fee of $375/person for NIAA members and $450/person for non-members. Individuals wanting to attend only the Foot and Mouth Symposium may do so for $175/person. To register, go online or call the National Institute for Animal Agriculture at +719.538.8843.