Illinois corn farmers are invited to attend the 2015 IL Pork Expo, Feb. 3-4, at the Peoria Civic Center.  This year's Pork Expo has several events that may be of interest.

A special breakout session sponsored by the Illinois Soybean Association and the Soy Checkoff will be held Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 9 - 10:30 a.m., for anyone interested in learning more about current contract production opportunities for pork production in Illinois.

A panel discussion titled, "Opportunities and Expectations for Contract Growers," will feature:

• Tim Steinkamp, Cargill
• Matt Henry, The Maschhoffs
• Al Muhlenbruck, Tri-Oak Foods

Nic Anderson, IL Livestock Development Group, will moderate the panel discussion, along with a second panel discussion about lessons learned from recent building projects.  That panel will feature grain farmers who recently added hog barns to their farms.  Mark Ray, 1st Farm Credit Services, will talk about lending requirements for contract finishers; and Laura Pepple from University of Illinois Extension will discuss fertilizer values and saving money by using manure.

Corn farmers will also be interested in the Market Outlook Roundtable, Feb. 4, from 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.  Todd Gleason, farm broadcaster with WILL Radio and the Univ. of IL, will moderate a panel discussion on the market outlook for corn, soybeans/soybean meal and hogs. Attendees will hear from marketing experts on their outlook for 2015 and ways to manage risk, including Brett Stuart, Global Agri-Trends; John Perkins, CIH; and Jacquie Voeks, Stewart Peterson.

IL Pork Expo attendees can also see the largest swine-specific trade show in Illinois.  The trade show will be open Feb. 3 from noon-6 p.m., and Feb. 4, from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Attendees may register to attend on site.  Adult registration is $10 and youth ages 10-18 is $5.

The IL Pork Expo provides an opportunity to network and socialize with a diverse audience of key decision makers within the Illinois pork industry.  Find more information about the IL Pork Expo and a complete schedule of events and activities at www.ilpork.com.