Live events resume in Alberta in just a few more weeks, assuming continued success in the efforts to stamp out COVID-19. 
Alberta Livestock Expo, scheduled for October 6 and 7, will be the first in-person event since March of 2020, when the World Health Organization declared a global outbreak of a new coronavirus among human populations. Alberta Livestock Expo will be the first opportunity swine producers and industry reps have had to mix and mingle since that announcement, almost two years ago, says Charlotte Shipp, industry programs manager for Alberta Pork. 
Events at Lethbridge hope to include a pork quality competition. Alberta Pork then takes the lead on October 20 with the rebirth of Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop.  
Next in line will be Banff Pork Seminar, scheduled for January 11-13. 
A poll that was still live late in July found 70 per cent of past attendees preferred an in-person event, said event coordinator Ashley Steeple. Registrations for the 2022 edition open late in September with notices going out soon to all past attendees. Organizers will determine in the weeks ahead whether they can have a full crowd or if numbers will have to be reduced to accommodate social distancing and other pandemic-related restrictions that may apply, said Steeple. 
Co-chair Ruurd Zijlstra confirmed late in July that planning is based on hosting a live event as the starting point, with potential to include an online component if needed. Decisions depend on whether there are any new developments concerning COVID-based travel restrictions and whether a significant number of attendees would prefer to connect online, said Zijlstra. Speakers who are unable to attend in person may be presented by teleconference, he said. 
The online conference held over two days in January had good reviews, given the restrictions that were in place at the time. However, the costs were borne entirely by sponsors, which is not feasible in the long term, said Zijlstra. Fees and other details will be announced when registration opens for 2022, he said. 
A draft program has been worked out, based on the following outline: 
Plenary Sessions 
Markets & Trade,  Economics , Sustainability  and African Swine Fever 
Breakout Sessions 
Feeding, Health, Water Quality, Sow Productivity, Management, Welfare and human Resources 
Steeple advises those interested in attending to visit the website,  banffpork.com and watch their inboxes for updates. 
A draft program for Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop, to be held at the Cambridge Hotel (former Capri Centre), was updated and released on July 21, including the following speakers and presentations: 
· Profit robbers, Alastair Bratton (Olymel) 
· Reproductive efficiencies, Jennifer Patterson (University of Alberta) 
· Sow Mortality, Chris Rademacher DVM (Iowa State University) 
· Pre-wean mortality, Jessica Law DVM (Prairie Swine Health Services) 
· Feed Ingredients and low-cost options, Dan Bussieres (Groupe Cérès Inc., QC) 
· Ventilation management, Rick Smith (agricultural engineer) 
· Balancing feed costs against index and targets, Ken Engele (Prairie Swine Centre) 
· African Swine Fever, Christa Arsenault DVM (national ASF coordinator) 
Shipp advises that fees will remain the same as in previous and hopes to be able to host a full crowd, depending on any restrictions that may be in place. Social distancing will be observed with sanitation protocol in place and encourage, she said. A hot buffet lunch is being planned. 
Please visit  albertapork.com under Swine Tech tab for updates. 
See you in fall! •
— By Brenda Kossowan