By MEGGIE I. FOSTER
Assistant Editor DES MOINES, Iowa — Tasty pulled pork sandwiches filled the bellies of thousands of hog producers from around the world during the 19th annual World Pork Expo June 7-9 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
According to the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), last weekend Expo staffers collected tickets for over 30,000 producers and exhibitors for what they call the largest trade show and public showcase for the pork industry in the world.
“We’re very excited about this year’s World Pork Expo,” said Jill Appell, National Pork Producers Council president and pork producer from Alton, Ill. “With the addition of the Spanish-language sessions and Employee Care Center, producers will have important tools for communicating and working with their employees.”
In addition to the new bilingual sessions, producers attended seminars focusing on innovations in production, environmental issues, bioenergy topics, weather, feed and economic outlooks, nutrition and manure management.
A special guest of the NPPC, USDA Undersecretary Bruce Knight entertained an interested group and media during the Strategic Investment Program (SIP) luncheon on June 8. Knight shared details relating to SIP and its effect on today’s hog industry, in addition to entertaining questions from global agriculture and livestock media.
While educational and political sessions prove informative for almost any size producer, many attendees spent the bulk of their time at the trade show spread across the fairgrounds into the cattle barn, varied industries building and outside midway.
Big name innovators in the industry such as Hog Slat, Elanco, Cargill, PIC, JBS United Feeds, Hormel, Pfizer and Boehringer Ingelheim all unveiled the newest products and tools set to improve bottom lines and business for producers and business managers.
According to the National Pork Producers Council, the trade show featured more than 1,000 booths displayed by some 450 different companies.
Truly something for everyone, the Expo also featured the 4th annual Farm Toy Show and Sale, with more than 100 tables of farm toys and collectibles, including a limited edition World Pork Expo commemorative toy tractor.
Just when many attendees may have felt the need to sit down after a long day of sessions, trade show scenery and a farm toy spectacular, the Expo offered a genuine Hawaiian hog roast fit with grass skirts and tropical drinks on Friday, June 8.
Following the hog roast, attendees were encouraged to stick around for the evening entertainment and dancing in the street on the Grand Concourse.
This year’s entertainment featured pop and country performer Billy Joe Royal and rock n-rollers The Buckinghams.
Featuring many Midwestern exhibitors and blue ribbon hopefuls, the Expo also offered two breed shows: the World Pork Expo Junior National Show Wednesday through Friday and the National Swine Registry 2007 World Pork Expo Breed Show and Sale on Friday and Saturday.
The NPPC said the 2008 Expo will feature the same great and even better trade show, informational sessions and a whole host of new surprises again at the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.
For more information, go online at www.nppc.org This farm news was published in the June 13, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. |
