The Egg Industry Center (EIC) at Iowa State University will hold its 2015 Issues Forum in Des Moines April 7 and 8. The Forum program is full of informational sessions and related events of interest to egg producers, processors and allied egg-industry groups.

The event will start at 1 p.m. on April 7 at the Embassy Suites Des Moines Downtown with a welcome from Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.

Confirmed topics include:
· A beginner’s perspective of cage-free housing system management
· Beyond the global food safety initiative
· A California realities panel discussing what has transpired since the Prop 2 went to effect on Jan 1, 2015
· Egg processing and value-added opportunities
· Genetic improvement for alternative hen-housing
· China egg production and research trends
· Global market trends for feed grains
· Industry’s labor force challenge
· American Egg Board grows egg consumption
· Salmonella control: Past, present and future
· Salmonella and eggs: What we really know
· The future of the Coalition for Sustainable EggSupply (CSES) and data related to consumer decision-making

Three special events of no additional cost are scheduled for 2015 Forum participants. Prior to Forum, participants have the option of touring Hy-Line International’s Dallas Center facility.

On the evening of April 7, Forum sponsor Big Dutchman will host a reception at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates museum and gardens. The final event is a post-forum workshop led by two experts from Penn StateUniversity on April 8 (1-5 p.m.).

For more information stop by the EIC Booth #C9156 at the International Production and Processing Expo or visit the center’s webpage. The online registration system opens in early February, and early-bird registration will end March 15. For other Forum questions contact Lesa Vold at lvold@iastate.edu or 515.294.4037.