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The National Swine Improvement Federation has, as
its primary function, developing and implementing more uniform,
effective, and coordinated swine improvement programs. Its members
include, but are not limited to, seedstock producers, central
test stations, swine testing organizations, A.I. studs, and other
seedstock production and marketing groups.
Each year the Federation holds a conference and annual meeting
during which the impact and application of swine breeding technology
are reviewed and updated. The publication of the proceedings
of these conferences serves to advance the Federation's objective
of improving genetic evaluation programs.
The 1998 conference and annual meeting were held in East Lansing,
Michigan, on December 4-5, 1998. The conference program included
in-depth presentations on current swine genetics research areas
and on methodology of applying state-of-the-art technology in
actual breeding stock selection. The complete program included
presentations by recognized authorities from universities and
industry.
The program committee was chaired by Chris Leman, Lone Willow/USG,
and included Russ Nugent, Tyson Foods, Inc.; Matt Culbertson,
Cotswold USA; Linden Olson, National Pork Producers Council; Jacques
Chesnais, Canadian Center for Swine Improvement; John Mabry, University
of Georgia; and Cynthia Wood, Virginia Tech. The Federation acknowledges
the contribution of this committee to the success of the 1998
conference.
We hope these proceedings will be useful and informative. Additional
copies of this and previous proceedings are available from the
office of the Secretary-Treasurer. Copies of the Swine
Genetics Handbook, containing fourteen fact sheets, can
be purchased from the Secretary at $10.00 each. In addition,
Guidelines For Uniform Swine Improvement Programs is
available at no charge.
Elsewhere in these proceedings you will find a list of the 1998-99
officers, directors, and acting committees of the Federation.
If you wish to communicate with any of these because of a mutual
concern or interest, do not hesitate to do so. Also, if I can
be of any assistance please contact me. Additional information
is available at the NSIF web site: www.nsif.com.
NSIF Secretary-Treasurer |