Nebraska Pork Conference

Conference Agenda

All events will take place at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Lincoln. 

Thursday, July 30, 2026

Registration
2:00-2:30 p.m.

NPPA Annual Membership Meeting
2:30-4:30 p.m.
Join fellow Nebraska pork producers and industry partners for the Nebraska Pork Producers Association Annual Meeting. The meeting will include a financial review, Pork Act Delegate and Board Member elections, updates on NPPA activities and priorities, and reports on key issues and developments impacting the pork industry.

Welcome Reception
5:00-6:00 p.m.
Kick off the evening by connecting with producers, allied partners, and conference attendees from across the state. This informal networking opportunity provides time to build relationships before the Recognition Banquet begins.

Annual Recognition Banquet and Auction
6:00-9:00 p.m.
Celebrate the achievements of Nebraska’s pork community during an evening of recognition, fellowship, and fun. The banquet will feature a plated dinner, recognition of NPPA award recipients, retiring Board Members, and Pork Ambassadors, as well as a silent auction running throughout the evening. The program will conclude with a live auction supporting efforts to advance and protect Nebraska pork production.

Friday, July 31, 2026

Registration
7:00-8:00 a.m.

National Pork Industry Update
8:00-9:15 a.m.
Start the day with a national pork industry update from Dr. David Newman, CEO of the National Pork Board, and Tyler Bettin, Assistant Vice President of Producer Services at the National Pork Producers Council. This session will cover efforts to strengthen pork demand, advance producer priorities, and address key challenges and opportunities facing producers at the national level.

Featured Speakers:
Dr. David Newman, CEO, National Pork Board
Tyler Bettin, AVP Producer Services, National Pork Producers Council

Markets, Margins, & Demand: A Pork Industry Outlook
9:15-10:00 a.m.
Gain valuable insights into the economic forces influencing profitability. Matt Erickson, Senior Analyst with Terrain, will provide an outlook on pork markets, input costs, consumer demand, and broader economic trends impacting the swine industry. Drawing on his extensive experience in agricultural economics, commodity markets, and farm policy, Matt will help attendees navigate risks and opportunities in the year ahead.

Featured Speaker:
Matt Erickson, Senior Analyst, Terrain

Networking & Refreshment Break
10:00-10:15 a.m.

From Research to Reality: Innovations Shaping Pork Production
10:15-11:00 a.m.
What will the pork farm of tomorrow look like? Hear from researchers representing the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (US MARC) and the University of Illinois, along with a producer, as they discuss emerging innovations in genetics, swine health, animal behavior and welfare, and production technologies. This conversation will connect cutting-edge research with real-world applications and explore what these advancements mean for on-farm success and the workforce that supports it.

Featured Speakers:
Moderator: Dr. Amy Schmidt, Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Dr. Clay Lents, Research Leader, USDA Agricultural Research Service
Dr. Isabella Condotta, Assistant Professor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Hunter Thomas, Vice President, Thomas Livestock

Who Gets to Decide the Future of Livestock Production?
11:00-11:45 a.m.
Consumer expectations, retailer policies, activist campaigns, ballot initiatives, and cybersecurity threats are increasingly influencing the operating environment for animal agriculture. Hear from industry leaders and experts as they examine the emerging risks and outside influences affecting livestock production and discuss what producers can do to maintain a strong voice in decisions that affect their operations.

Featured Speakers:
Moderator: Tyler Bettin, AVP Producer Services, National Pork Producers Council
Kylee Deniz, Executive Director, Oklahoma Pork Council
Abby Kornegay, Director of Issues and Engagement, Animal Agriculture Alliance
Wade Greening, Supervisory Intelligence Analyst, FBI

Lunch & State of Nebraska Pork
11:45-1:00 p.m.
Enjoy lunch while hearing from Seth Mitchell, Executive Director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association. Seth will provide an overview of key industry issues, policy developments, consumer insights, organizational priorities, and efforts underway to advance Nebraska’s pork industry and support producer success.

Featured Speaker:
Seth Mitchell, Executive Director, Nebraska Pork Producers Association

One Herd, One Strategy: The Path to PRRS Elimination
1:00-2:00 p.m.
Achieving meaningful improvements in swine health requires collaboration across the industry. Hear from leaders in animal health, government, and pork production as they discuss the National Swine Health Strategy, biosecurity, traceability, and disease preparedness. Panelists will explore the coordinated efforts needed to advance long-term swine health goals, including PRRS elimination and the control of other significant diseases.

Featured Speakers:
Moderator: Seth Mitchell, Executive Director, Nebraska Pork Producers Association
Dr. Dusty Oedekoven, Chief Veterinarian, National Pork Board
Dr. Pam Dinslage, Field Veterinarian, Nebraska Department of Agriculture
Brock Pillen, Co-CEO, Pillen Family Farms

Bacon, Bourbon & Brews
2:00-5:00 p.m.
Unwind and connect with fellow producers, industry partners, and conference attendees during this signature networking event. Featuring bacon-inspired appetizers, bourbon tastings, and craft beverages, this relaxed gathering provides the perfect opportunity to continue conversations and build relationships beyond the conference sessions.