Registration Now Open for 2026 Ohio Pork Congress

Sought-after consumer economist Leo Feler to deliver keynote address

NEW ALBANY, OHIO — Pork producers in Ohio and beyond can now register for discounted tickets to attend the region’s premier pork industry event, the 2026 Ohio Pork Congress, set for Feb. 3-4 at the Veterans Memorial Civic & Convention Center, in Lima, Ohio. Beyond the latest innovations from the 60-plus trade show exhibitors, attendees — everyone from barn-level workers to top decision-makers — can get the latest information and insights on today’s most-important topics. Everything from swine health and production, on-farm leadership, policy and organization updates, today’s consumer buying behavior, and more.

With a record number of 18 breakout sessions, including seven in Spanish, Cheryl Day, Executive Vice President of the Ohio Pork Council, says the 2026 Ohio Pork Congress, which is now open for early discount registration at ohioporkcongress.org, will be the most expansive ever and truly offer something for everyone.

“Our producer-led committee helped us put together an outstanding line-up of key experts to create better slat-level learning opportunities for those working directly with pigs every day, including a major emphasis on Spanish-language offerings. Our goal is to make this year’s event even more useful and relevant as it challenges us all to take our industry to the next level.”

A true highlight of the event will be the keynote presentation by Leo Feler, Ph.D., Chief Economist at Numerator and Senior Economist with the UCLA Anderson Forecast. Known for his straight-talk economic insights, Feler is known for analyzing what consumers actually do rather than what they say, using real-world data on grocery shopping, price sensitivity, and meat-buying behavior. His keynote at the Ohio Pork Congress will bridge macro-economic trends with on-the-ground consumer reality, offering pork producers a clear look at where pork is winning, where it’s losing ground, and how consumer expectations are changing.

“Dr. Feler brings a powerful outside perspective grounded in data, not opinion,” Day said. “As someone who is very familiar with our industry, he can help pork producers see tomorrow’s customer more clearly. He’ll connect the dots between inflation, wages, interest rates, and what shoppers put in their grocery carts. His message will focus on what farmers can do to help keep pork relevant and sales moving.”

Swine Health Symposium

As usual, the first day of Ohio Pork Congress centers on industry-wide concerns in the annual Swine Health Symposium, where attendees will hear sessions about national swine health priorities, disease threats and preparedness, biosecurity, sow, and piglet care, PRRS, and more.

Additionally, there will be very practical, barn-level breakout sessions covering key topics such as ventilation, pit maintenance, using sustainability tools, manure management, safe animal handling, biosecurity, sow health, and more. Many of these sessions will be in Spanish, and for the first time the event will provide translation equipment for English‑based sessions for those who prefer them.

Industry Updates, Awards & Keynote

On Day 2, attendees can sit in on four general sessions where attendees will hear updates from the Ohio Pork Council, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), and the Pork Checkoff program via the National Pork Board. These sessions, anchored by the executive leaders of each organization, will cover state happenings, industry policy, Checkoff‑funded efforts, market trends, and regulatory outlooks. Meanwhile, participants can choose from nine English- or Spanish-language breakout sessions on a host of production and farm employee management topics.The luncheon will feature the annual OPC Awards Ceremony, recognizing individuals and retiring producers, industry leaders and rising‑star operations in Ohio’s pork community. The afternoon includes more breakout sessions and then the capstone keynote address by economist Leo Feler of Chicago-based Numerator.

“I encourage everyone to mark their calendar now for the first week of February and to go ahead and register for the Ohio Pork Congress at ohioporkcongress.org,” said Nathan Schroeder, President of the Ohio Pork Council and farmer from Leipsic. “You won’t want to miss either day of this great event, including the amazing pork-centered catering that we enjoy each year, making this time with colleagues new and old, even more special.”

The annual trade show at the Ohio Pork Congress, the largest, pork-specific one east of the Mississippi River, draws a wide-array of exhibitors for attendees to visit between its two days of seminars in English and Spanish.

About the Ohio Pork Council

The Ohio Pork Council was established in 1968, beginning with nearly 800 pig farmers dedicated to the task of promoting their own product. Currently, OPC has approximately 2,500 members. Their mission is to serve and benefit all Ohio pork producers. To learn more about the Ohio Pork Council, visit www.OhioPork.org or call 614-882-5887.