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Foreword The
primary function of the National Swine Improvement Federation is to develop and
implement 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 serve to advance the Federation’s objective of
improving genetic evaluation programs. The
1999 conference and annual meeting were held in Des Moines, Iowa, on November
16-17, 1999. 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 Steve Moeller, Ohio State University; Russ
Nugent, Tyson Foods, Inc.; Mark Brubaker, White-Shire Hamroc; John Gibson,
University of Guelph; John Mabry, University of Georgia; and Max Rothschild,
Iowa State University. 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 1999-2000 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. Kenneth J. Stalder NSIF
Secretary-Treasurer 605 Airways Blvd. Jackson, TN 38301 Phone: (901) 425-4705 FAX: (901) 425-4720 E-mail: kstalder@utk.edu |