Early Bird registration for the Midwest Pork Conference 2026 closes Thursday, November 12, ahead of the two-day event at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie, Indiana, on December 14-15. Indiana Pork hosts the gathering, which combines trade exhibits, farm-focused sessions and the organization's annual meeting in one trip for producers.

What the early bird deadline means for attendees

Pricing is $55 per person through November 12 and rises to $70 afterward, according to National Hog Farmer. The conference is open to pork producers and others in the agricultural industry. Registration is handled through Indiana Pork.

The schedule begins Monday, December 14, with a welcome reception from 6 to 8 p.m., sponsored by United Animal Health, with appetizers and a cash bar. Tuesday carries the full program: a trade show with more than 30 exhibitor booths, breakfast and 12 educational sessions, according to Pork Industry News.

Who is speaking, and what will be discussed?

Dr. David Newman, chief executive of the National Pork Board, will take producer questions on Tuesday at 10:25 a.m. Indiana Pork executive director Josh Trenary said the appearance gives producers a chance to hear directly from national leadership.

The program covers on-farm decisions including reducing finishing-barn mortality, biosecurity and financing farm investments. Speakers include Dr. Heather Fowler of the National Pork Board, Michael Formica of the National Pork Producers Council, Dr. Kelli Werling of the Indiana State Board of Animal Health and Dr. Lauren Nagel of AMVC Swine Health Services. Dr. Lee Schulz, chief economist at EA Risk, closes with a pork industry economic outlook. To assist more attendees, several presentations, including the one by Dr. Werling, will offer Spanish translation.

Why does the annual meeting matter this year?

Indiana Pork is folding its annual meeting into the conference for the first time, scheduled for 1 p.m. on December 15. Producers who pay into the Pork Checkoff can cast ballots for Indiana Pork board positions and National Pork Forum delegates after signing in, and the meeting will weigh resolutions headed to the National Pork Forum. Any conference attendee may sit in on the meeting.

Why you should go

  • Hear national leadership directly. Newman's Q&A lets producers raise industry issues with the head of the National Pork Board.
  • Take home farm-level guidance. Sessions address barn mortality, biosecurity and financing decisions producers face.
  • Meet suppliers in one place. More than 30 exhibitor booths gather products, technologies and services for pork operations.
  • Have a say in the organization. Checkoff-paying producers can vote on board seats and forum delegates at the annual meeting.
  • Keep it short. A Monday evening reception and a single full day of programming fit around time away from the barn.

FAQ

When is the Midwest Pork Conference 2026?

It runs December 14-15, 2026, at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie, Indiana, starting with a reception on the evening of December 14.

How much does registration cost?

Early bird registration is $55 per person through November 12; the price rises to $70 after that date.