By DOUG SCHMITZ
Iowa Correspondent

DES MOINES, Iowa — An estimated 20,000 attendees crisscrossed the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines for the 2011 World Pork Expo June 8-10, with visitors representing 39 states and 33 other countries.

“Our goal is to enable Expo attendees to experience the diversity and importance of agriculture to Iowa, to the United States and to the world,” said Bryan Humphreys, director of the grassroots organization LEADR (Legislative Education Action Development Resource) for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) in Des Moines.

Sponsored by the NPPC and dubbed the world’s largest pork-specific trade show, the World Pork Expo offered producers everything from a two-day tour highlighting livestock, crops and agribusinesses, to two one-day excursions featuring different agricultural destinations.

“Not only is World Pork Expo a must-see for swine-industry enthusiasts, but it also is one of the premier events in Iowa,” said Doug Fricke, NPPC director of trade show marketing and show manager for the World Pork Expo, which drew about 450 exhibitors this year.

On June 6-7, the Midwest Agriculture Highlights Tour took participants to see the locks-and-dam system on the Mississippi River, a local soybean farm and the John Deere Pavilion agricultural museum. Back by popular demand, the group also visited Cinnamon Ridge Farms, which featured 4,000 acres of corn and soybeans, wean-to-finish swine facilities, a beef operation and a dairy.
On June 6, Iowa Agriculture Tour participants visited Christensen Farms feed mill as well as one of the Midwest’s largest food-distribution companies. Two stops at Iowa State University in Ames included the newly remodeled College of Veterinary Medicine and the Meat Laboratory, a federally inspected, state-of-the-art facility set up for complete meat animal and poultry processing.
This year’s Expo offered free business seminars, also held June 9, which featured discussions about risk management, pig nutrition and health and anaerobic manure digestion.

“Producers throughout the world come to World Pork Expo for one reason: To see what’s state-of-the-art in pork production and technology,” said Doug Wolf, NPPC president and a Wisconsin pork producer. “It’s a chance to hear experts present the latest information, then talk with them face-to-face.”
On June 9, the World Pork Open five-person shootout was held, with 144 Expo attendees golfing in the World Pork Open, competing for special prizes on June 10. The National Junior Swine Show, which attracts youth exhibitors throughout the country, took place each day of the Expo.

Fricke said social media have changed the face of the Expo, giving attendees and those unable to attend instant, real-time access to the event through Facebook, Twitter and Flickr.

“These venues not only make it easier for the National Pork Producers Council and journalists to communicate information about World Pork Expo, but it also enables attendees to share their questions, comments and photos,” he said. “This makes it easier than ever for people throughout the world to engage in conversations about the pork industry.”