Pork news from the Ohio Pork Producers Council

OPPC offers additional youth scholarships -- The Ohio Pork Producers Council recently approved funds for additional youth scholarships to pork producing families across Ohio.

Up to $5,000 in scholarships will be awarded. The scholarships will range from $500 - $1,000. Application forms are available upon request in writing or e-mail to the Ohio Pork Producers Council, 5930 Sharon Woods Blvd., Suite 101, Columbus, OH 43229, jkeller@ohiopork.org. Forms may also be downloaded from www.OhioPork.org.

Application forms and official transcripts must be completed and returned to the Ohio Pork Producers Council by Sept. 5.

To be eligible applicants must be the child of parents actively engaged in the production of pork (production of pork defined as a continuous 365 day swine operation). Parents must be members of local and/or state pork producer's council, and applicant and parents must be Ohio residents. Applicants must be entering their sophomore, junior or senior year of college.

Ventilation systems workshop scheduled -- A Ventilation Systems Workshop is scheduled for Sept. 11. With rising energy costs and swine health issues it is more important now than ever to have swine buildings ventilated properly. OSU Extension is offering a ventilation systems workshop to be held at the Champaign County fairgrounds in Urbana on Sept. 11. The workshop is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and will conclude by 2:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Participants in the workshop will listen to presentations on "Basic Environmental Factors and Their Effects on Pigs," "Ventilation System Design Principles and Indoor Environmental Management," and "Applying the Basics and Troubleshooting a Variety of Buildings." All participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and view ventilation demonstrations using the ventilation systems trailer. Dr. Mike Brugger, Glen Arnold, and Dale Ricker will be conducting the workshop.

The workshop will be limited to the first 30 that register. For more information or to register contact Dale Ricker at 419-523-6294 or e-mail ricker.37@osu.edu.

Nominations for state awards due in September -- The Ohio Pork Producers Council wants your help in honoring people who have served the pork industry. Nominations for the Swine Manager of the Year, Ohio Pork Industry Excellence, and OPPC Service Awards are now being accepted. Please call the OPPC office at 800-320-7991 with the names and addresses of those you wish to nominate.

OPPC will send out award applications and choose winners who will be recognized at the 2009 Ohio Pork Congress.

Pork to be featured during national eat dinner together week -- The Ohio Pork Producers Council is working closely with the Cochran Group to set up media interviews on both radio and television during National Eat Dinner Together Week in September. Cooking segments are planned on several television stations as well as interviews about feeding families for less. Watch local newspapers and television stations for in your area the week of Sept. 21-27 for information on enjoying pork with your family.

New video at OhioPorkTour.com -- Share the news with friends and neighbors, a new video release can be viewed at OhioPorkTour.com. It's titled "Gold Under the Barn," Brian Watkins explains the natural cycle of using manure as food for crops and crops as food for pigs.