Iowa's Pork Industry -- Dollars and Scents

11/17/97

Contacts:
C. Phillip Baumel, Economics, 515/294-6263
Susan Anderson, Agriculture Information, 515/294-0705

IOWA'S PORK INDUSTRY -- DOLLARS AND SCENTS

AMES, Iowa -- The ongoing debate about Iowa's pork industry is expected to continue in the coming months, as policymakers at the national, state and local levels discuss current laws and future strategies. To help provide research-based background information for these discussions, Iowa State University is sponsoring a day-long program Jan. 6, 1998 on the Iowa Communications Network (ICN).

Titled "Iowa's Pork Industry -- Dollars and Scents," the ICN broadcast will be available at 27 sites. New information about what rural Iowans think of the industry and what production trends are occurring, plus a review of waste management options and an analysis of policy alternatives, will be shared by ISU agricultural economists.

An important component of the program will be four, 30-minute breaks during which area extension specialists will lead local discussions. Questions from these sessions will be called to the broadcast origination site in Ames. The final hour of the program will feature a panel of ISU experts responding to these questions.

Organizers say they hope the program will be attended by pork producers, local and state elected officials, environmentalists, agribusiness representatives and the general public.

"Iowa's pork industry adds value to the state's crops, plus $3.1 billion to the state's gross product," says John Miranowski, chair of the ISU economics department. "Because of the industry's economic importance, its future direction will have an impact on the entire state. We want as many people as possible involved in this opportunity to help shape that direction."

A $20 registration fee will cover the cost of lunch, plus support material that will include a new publication on Iowa's pork industry from the ISU agricultural economics department.

The ICN broadcast will begin at 9:15 a.m. and adjourn at 4:30 p.m. Informational brochures are available at county extension offices. To register, send a $20 check, payable to Iowa State University, to C. Phillip Baumel, ISU Department of Economics, 460 Heady Hall, Ames, IA 50011. Indicate your first and second choices of ICN location and include name, address and phone number. Or call toll-free 1-888-478-0088.

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EDITOR: Following is a listing of the ICN broadcast locations for localizing this release.

Algona -- Iowa Lakes Community College

Ankeny -- DMACC, Building 6

Carrroll -- Carroll National Guard

Cedar Falls -- UNI Schindler Education Center

Cedar Rapids -- Kirkwood CC, Building 32B

Chariton -- Chariton National Guard

Cherokee -- Cherokee Mental Health

Clarion -- Clarion Middle School

Council Bluffs -- Iowa Western CC 1

Creston -- Southwestern CC 3