The production of pork, the red meat of choice across the world, is a highly competitive activity that requires attention to changed production techniques and the utilisation of cutting-edge technologies to maintain outputs. Closely tied to production techniques is the name of Professor M.E. Ensminger, agricultural research pioneer and author of the Stockman’s Handbook and many other titles, whose thinking and advice has provided ‘food for thought’ to farmers across the globe for 50 years through annual Ensminger Symposia.

Now, on 22 & 23 May 2019, local agriculturists will have an opportunity to meet and hear seven well-respected, internationally known scientists who will take part in the first-ever Ensminger Symposium to be held on the African continent. For two days, farmers researchers, academics and agriculturists – in fact anyone with an interest in pig production techniques – will be able to share the very latest information in the world of pork production within easy reach of Pretoria and Johannesburg.

The Ensminger Symposium in South Africa will be an event that should not be missed.

Prof Max Rothschild, Distinguished Professor, Iowa State University explains:

Ensminger Symposia have been held around the world for the last 50 years. In recent years they have been held in Russia, Bulgaria, China, Thailand, Korea, Spain, Peru, Costa Rica, and Honduras.

Originally the brainchild of Professor Ensminger, the events were developed by the Professor who spent much of his career travelling the world sharing his mission to bring modern animal science techniques to students, academic faculties and industry.

Much of the wisdom shared originated from the many books he published on the different animal science species which are still in use across the world.

This will be the first time that an Ensminger Symposium will be held in Africa. The event also heralds another significant occasion, namely the 100th anniversary of the Pig Breeders Society of South Africa (PBS).

For those involved in pork production, the Ensminger Symposium will offer a unique opportunity to absorb learnings about the rapidly changing techniques being used to increase production.

Discussions will cover topics ranging from increasing sow longevity and reducing antibiotic feeding approaches, through to modern welfare techniques and gene and genomic selection. Delegates will also learn more about the latest techniques for successful male and female reproduction and increasing meat quality.