Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium 2025
Save the Date!
November 4-5, 2025
The 48th annual Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium will take place in Saskatoon on November 4-5, 2025, for two days of inspiring speakers from countries around the world.
Saskatchewan Pork Symposium is recognized as one of Canada’s leading pork industry conferences attracting approximately 300 producers, industry stakeholders and government representatives.
Celebrating its 48th year, expert local, national and international speakers impart the latest information on hog production, animal health & welfare, new technology and the global outlook for the North American hog industry. It's an event not to be missed!
Please visit our archive page to view some of the speakers from the event.
Practical take-home advice. Live sessions. Best practices. The latest industry trends. New research and innovation.
Host Hotel
As the host hotel for Symposium 2025, a block of rooms will be reserved at the Saskatoon Inn & Conference Centre at 2002 Airport Drive. Details will be available closer to the event date.
Awards of Distinction
Awards are presented annually to recognize and honour individuals and organizations who contribute to the sustainability of the Saskatchewan pork industry through leadership, commitment and innovation.
We acknowledge the achievements of those who operate well above established industry regulations and standards to ensure continued growth and advancement of the hog sector.
If there is someone you know who you would like recognized, please fill out the nomination form.
2025 Symposium Sponsors
Interested in sponsorship opportunities or an exhibitor booth at Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium? Contact steve@saskpork.com for the Sponsorship Package.
Premium Sponsors
Event Sponsors
Universal Sponsors
2025 Pricing:
Registration Opens August 11, 2025
Early Bird (Aug. 11 - Sept. 12)
Full 2 Day Registration - CA$250.00
Day One Registration - CA$175.00
Day Two Registration - CA$120.00
Student - Full 2 Day Registration - CA$175.00
Student - Day One Registration - CA$120.00
Student - Day Two Registration - CA$75.00
Regular
Full 2 Day Registration - CA$275.00
Day One Registration - CA$200.00
Day Two Registration - CA$140
Student - Full 2 Day Registration - CA$200.00
Student - Day One Registration - CA$150.00
Student - Day Two Registration - CA$95.00
Late (After Oct. 27)
Full 2 Day Registration - CA$325.00
Day One Registration - CA$225.00
Day Two Registration - CA$160.00
Student - Full 2 Day Registration - CA$225.00
Student - Day One Registration - CA$175.00
Student - Day Two Registration - CA$120.00
Additional Banquet Tickets - CA$75.00
Conference Agenda
DAY 2
November 5, 2025
7:00 am – Registration & Breakfast
8:00 am – KEYNOTE: What’s next for the Global Pork Market
Brett Stuart, Global AgriTrends
9:00 am – Genetic Carbon Footprint
Lindsay Case, PIC
9:40 am - New PCV3, What is it, What does it do?
Dr. Carol Malgarin, Merck Animal Health
10:10 am – Networking & Refreshment Break
10:30 am – A margin-based approach to managing risk in the hog industry
Brendan Dorais and Dan Roque, CIH
11:15 am – The Retail Meat Counter: What consumers are buying and how is it changing?
12:00 pm - Express Lunch
1:00 pm - Sask Pork Annual General Meeting
DAY 1
November 4, 2025
7:15 am – Registration & Breakfast
8:25 am – Welcome to Symposium
8:30 am – The Whole Hog: What has our Youth Ambassador been up to?
Steve Seto & Jessica Podhordeski
9:00 am – KEYNOTE ADDRESS: If I Can…
10:00 am – Networking & Refreshment Break
10:30 am – Handling Extra Large Market Hogs
Kevin Brooks, Olymel
11:15 am – Enrichment/Behavior
Jen-Yun Chou, Prairie Swine Centre
12:00 pm – Lunch
1:00 pm – Panel Discussion: Staying Competitive in the Industry; Group Sow Housing & Renovations
Olymel (Levi Soltys), Star City Colony (Toby Tschetter), Polar Pork (Daryl Possberg)
Panel Moderator: Ken Engele, Prairie Swine Centre
2:00 pm - ASF & Emerging Diseases; What should you be concerned about at the farm today?
Dr. Stephanie Smith, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
2:45 pm – Networking & Refreshment Break (20 min)
3:05 pm – Ventilation
Nat Stas, PIC
4:00 pm - CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Courtyard Room – Grad Student Oral Presentations
Room TBD – Pig Learn Demo, Mark Fynn, Canadian Pork Council
Dinner & Banquet (Nov 4)
5:00 pm – Cocktails & Appetizers
6:30 pm – Evening Program
6:35 pm - Greetings from the Government of Saskatchewan
6:45 pm - Dinner
7:45 pm – Awards of Distinction
8:15 pm – Comedian – Joel Jeffery
Speakers Bios
Chris Koch
Chris Koch doesn’t let limitations or obstacles stand in his way.
Despite being born without arms and legs, Koch grew up like any other small-town kid — playing road hockey, causing mischief at school, and helping out on his family farm. Neither he or his family treated his disability like a tragedy, and instead used it to fuel his dreams. Today, Koch is a motivational speaker who inspires his audiences to continually challenge themselves and build the life they dream of.
Born in Lethbridge, Alberta, Koch was raised in the small farming and ranching community of Nanton, Alberta. Early on, he learned that he would not be raised with pity or sympathy. Sure, he had to do things a little differently and some tasks took him a little longer to complete than others, but he was determined to be just like the rest and was always treated just like the rest. After all, he still had a good head on his shoulders and with that, anything is possible.
Koch loves sharing his story and spreading his message of, “If I Can…” An avid traveler, marathoner, and farmer, his presentation reflects his full life. Simply put, Koch says, if I can do what I’ve done so far in my life, what’s stopping others from doing the same?
Brett Stuart, Global AgriTrends
Brett Stuart is the president of Global AgriTrends. The firm was organized in 2006 and provides global market research, analysis, and forecasting to a variety of clients around the world. He was formerly the lead economist for the U.S. Meat Export Federation. He has conducted numerous research and analysis projects in the global meat trade area, as well as advising government representatives on international protein trade issues. Mr. Stuart has conducted on-the-ground agriculture industry research for a variety of clients on six continents.
Brett was raised on a cattle ranch operating in Utah and Wyoming. He received an undergraduate degree in accounting from Utah State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Nebraska. He and his wife, Amanda, live with their kids on a small farm near Preston, Idaho.
Kevin Brooks, Olymel
Kevin Brooks grew up on a traditional farm in Rosthern, Saskatchewan, where livestock such as hogs, cattle, sheep, chickens, geese, and even goats were part of daily life. The farm was supported by both grain production and livestock and this hands-on upbringing instilled in Kevin a deep understanding of farm life and livestock farming.
Currently, Kevin works for Olymel Swine West, based in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, specializing in swine production. His focus is on animal handling and welfare, and he collaborates with the production team on staff training, transport staff education, and various on-farm projects. With over two decades of experience in large-scale hog operations across Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba, Kevin has developed a wealth of practical knowledge in the industry.
Known for his somewhat unorthodox approach to training, Kevin’s methods often challenge conventional thinking. His sessions are interactive, engaging, and thought-provoking, with a strong emphasis on low-stress animal handling. His passion for teaching and coaching others is contagious, and after one of his sessions, participants often find themselves looking at animal care—and even staff management—through a fresh lens. Kevin’s ability to connect with both the people he trains and the animals he works with makes him a unique and respected figure in the field.
Lindsay Case, PIC
Lindsay is dedicated to helping producers and the broader protein value chain unlock new value through genetic innovation. In her current role at PIC, she leads efforts to bring the PRRS-resistant pig to market in approved countries and to quantify and communicate the environmental benefits enabled by genetic improvement—what PIC calls "Genetic Carbon."
Since joining PIC in 2011, Lindsay has held leadership roles across genetic services, commercial operations, and international teams. This broad experience gives her a deep understanding of both the science and business of animal genetics, as well as the cultural and economic forces shaping the global pork industry.
Lindsay is passionate about advancing the sustainability, resilience, and productivity of livestock production by improving animal health, enhancing welfare, and enabling the efficient production of high-quality protein. She believes that innovations like disease-resistant animals can play a critical role in improving food security while reducing agriculture’s environmental footprint.
Lindsay holds a PhD in Genetics from the University of Guelph and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Jen-Yun Chou, Prairie Swine Centre
Dr. Jen-Yun Chou is a research scientist at the Prairie Swine Centre and adjunct professor at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. She is leading the ethology and welfare group at the Centre and is a part of the Swine Welfare research team.
She is currently a scientific committee member for the update of the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs. Her background is multidisciplinary at the interface of applied animal behaviour, animal welfare, and social science. She obtained her PhD degree in Clinical Veterinary Sciences at the University of Edinburgh in 2019 and holds an MA in Science, Technology, and Society. She has experience working as an animal welfare advisor at international non-profit organizations and has conducted research at various research institutes across Europe and North America.
Her research projects collaboratively explore issues surrounding ending piglet painful procedures and providing pigs of all stages with a better physical and social environment. She has ongoing research collaborations with international partners. She has expertise in pig production and welfare and uses a range of different methods, including behavioral, physiological, and performance-related indicators, to assess the feasibility of housing and management practices that can be applied on commercial farms. Her goal is to show animal welfare can be beneficial and profitable for all stakeholders and to contribute to improving pig welfare in Canada and globally.
Lisa Keefe, LisaMKeefe.com
Lisa didn't grow up on a farm, but definitely farm-adjacent, helping her best friend's family care for their livestock, bring in the hay, and occasionally, accidentally test the electrified fences.
In many years as a business journalist, she's dived deep into industries from retail to meetings and conventions to steel, oil and gas, and best practices in marketing. She joined the protein industry in 2008, when she was hired as editor of Meatingplace in Chicago. Among the big shifts in the sector, Lisa led the editorial team in covering the corn price spikes in 2012, African swine fever in 2018 and '19, the pandemic and HPAI in 2023, '24 and '25.
During her tenure, Meatingplace earned more than a dozen Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Awards, a top honor in business coverage.
Lisa also founded Meatingplace's sister publication, Alt-Meat; Meatingplace's technical and scientific newsletter line-up, and the MeatingPod podcast. She's still wrangling these products through her company, LisaMKeefe.com.
Dr. Stephanie Smith, Sk Ministry of Agriculture
Stephanie Smith is the Chief Veterinary Officer and Director of the Veterinary Unit with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. Stephanie and her team are engaged on a wide variety of files, including disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and response, animal welfare, and biosecurity.
Stephanie obtained her veterinary degree at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan in 2015. Prior to working for government, Stephanie worked in a mixed animal veterinary practice as well as for the Saskatchewan poultry industry. Stephanie and her husband manage a mixed cow/calf and grain operation northwest of Saskatoon. They are passionate about raising healthy and sustainable food, both for their family and the Canadian public.
Nat Stas, PIC
Nat Stas is a Technical Services Director for PIC and has been in the commercial swine industry for 15 years, 8 of which have been with PIC. He holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois under Dr. Mike Ellis, focusing on swine genetics and reproduction
In addition to Nat’s commitment to the commercial swine industry, he currently stays involved in the American Society of Animal Science and many livestock youth development programs and swine research programs. Nat resides in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, with his wife and two twin daughters.
Comedian, Joel Jeffrey
Joel Jeffrey is a Saskatoon based comedian and one of Saskatchewan's most versatile comedians.
He's been featured on stages across Canada and his jokes have been seen around the world. His comedy has been viewed millions of times on social media, used in international advertising, and featured by Comedy Central and Just For Laughs Originals. Joel is also the best-selling author of the Great Saskatchewan Joke Book."
2025 Symposium Committee
Kevin Brooks - Olymel Jenn Hildebrand - Penfor Construction
Lindsay Case - PIC Alain Dumuk - Sunhaven Farms
Mark Ferguson - Sask Pork Toby Tschetter - Star City Farming
Sarah Heppner - AcuFast Karolina Steinrova - Sask Pork
Steffen Klenk - PIC Brad Marceniuk - SK Ministry of Agriculture
Murray Pettitt - Prairie Swine Centre Jessica Podhordeski - Sask Pork
Steve Seto - Sask Pork Patty Riley - Sask Pork
Ken Friesen - Merck Animal Health Sheldon Friesen - Topigs Norsvin Canada
Dr. Coral Williams – Warman Vet Services