Category Archives: World Pork Expo

Late Swine Nutrition Expert Honored at Pork Expo

Posted on by

A University of Illinois professor who spent his lifetime contributing to the livestock nutrition industry was honored at World Pork Expo earlier this month.

JBS United recognized the contributions of Dr. David H. Baker as this year’s John B. Swisher Leadership Award Winner. Dr. Baker’s family accepted the post humus award in his honor on June 5 at the Expo in Des Moines.

The John B. Swisher Annual Leadership Award (by JBS United, Inc.) is an honor presented to an individual who exemplifies extraordinary leadership qualities and who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the swine industry.

Throughout Baker’s career, he provided over 40 years of contributions to the animal and human nutrition industry. His work has helped improve the quality of livestock feed, led to the production of chemically defined diets for use in animal research studies, and increased the understanding of diseases caused by vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

With 451 peer-reviewed publications, six major awards from the American Society of Animal Science and five from the Poultry Science Association, Baker’s lifelong commitment has fundamentally advanced the scientific community in the fields of animal nutrition.

Baker’s work has been recognized by the University of Illinois, which named Baker a University Scholar, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which presented Baker with the Distinguished Service Award.

2012 World Pork Expo Photo Album

Record-Setting World Pork Expo

Posted on by

The 2012 World Pork Expo was another one for the record books.

The Expo set records for the number of pigs in the Junior National show and the quantity of meals served at the Big Grill, and featured the creation of the world’s largest pork burger during its well-attended MusicFest.

The WPX Junior National broke another record for the number of pigs exhibited in the pedigreed barrow and gilt shows hosted by the National Junior Swine Association and Team Purebred. More than 700 junior exhibitors from 26 states competed with 2,177 head, a 25 percent increase from 2011.

The Expo set another record by grilling the world’s largest pork burger, made with 260 pounds of pork and a 40-pound bun. Sponsors Hog Slat, Newton Grove, N.C., and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) donated half of the pork burger to be served as pork sandwiches in Des Moines-area homeless shelters; the rest was enjoyed by Expo-goers during MusicFest.

“I appreciated the record-breaking pork burger, which was made possible by a company from my home state of North Carolina and used to help reduce hunger in central Iowa” said NPPC president R.C. Hunt of Wilson, N.C. “I also was impressed with the time both Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds spent with producers at Expo. It is very special to have this type of support for the work we do as pork producers.”

The expo attracted nearly 20,000 pork producers and industry leaders from 38 countries to Des Moines, Iowa, for the world’s largest pork-specific trade show with more than 400 exhibitors. We appreciate the sponsorship of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica for making our coverage of the 2012 World Pork Expo possible.


2012 World Pork Expo Photo Album

Pork Industry Concerned about Egg Bill

Posted on by

Pork producers are concerned that a bill regulating egg production could make it into the farm bill, which could impact more than just the poultry industry.

“Some people have asked us why is the pork industry concerned about an egg bill,” said National Pork Producers Council director Bill Luckey of Nebraska during a press conference at World Pork Expo last week about the legislation they refer to as the “Farm Takeover” bill. “When you set a precedent of regulating a production system, if it’s in the poultry industry, a lot of activists might just try to move that into another species.”

Listen to comments from Bill here: NPPC director Bill Luckey

The egg bill, which was stand-alone legislation introduced in the House earlier this year, has indeed been proposed as an amendment to the Senate farm bill. Essentially it would provide for “a uniform national standard for the housing and treatment of egg-laying hens, and for other purposes.” NPPC VP of Domestic Policy Issues Audrey Adamson went into some greater detail of why other sectors of animal agriculture are concerned about the bill, which was developed as an agreement between the United Egg Producers and HSUS.

“If the egg industry decides they want to set standards, God bless them,” said Audrey. “We think it’s wrong-headed to do it in federal legislation, we think farmers know best.” She noted that similar legislation in Europe has resulted in less egg production and exorbitant prices for those on the shelves.

Listen to comments from Audrey here: NPPC's Audrey Adamson

2012 World Pork Expo Photo Album

Pork Expo Farm Bill Update

Posted on by

Pork producers know what they want in a 2012 Farm Bill, they’re just not sure if and when it will happen.

Former National Pork Producers Council president Sam Carney of Iowa, co-chair of the organization’s farm bill policy task force, gave an update on the legislation, which happened at almost the very moment the Senate voted to advance the bill to the floor. “Best case scenario is that Senators Stabenow and Roberts are able to hold off controversial amendments and the farm bill passes by the end of next week,” he said. However, he added that it is “unlikely” both houses will pass a bill and get it signed by the president before the current bill expires on September 30.

Carney says the Senate version of the bill includes several issues important to pork producers. “Catastrophic event insurance program study – very important to us,” he said. Also important to NPPC are reforming the beginning farmer and rancher program to allow better access to capitol, reduction in the CRP to address feed availability concerns, increasing swine research funding and maintaining funding for foreign market development and access programs.

Listen to Sam’s farm bill update here: Former NPPC president Sam Carney

2012 World Pork Expo Photo Album

Future Pork at the Expo

Posted on by

From the whole hog on down to the pork bellies, there’s tons of pork served each year at World Pork Expo, but there’s also plenty of future pork on the hoof around as well.

The annual WPX Junior National show features young people, who might possibly one day be pork producers, and young hogs, who very likely will one day be pork. And it’s a beautiful thing! You can see some photos of the champions and a list of all the winners in each category on the National Swine Registry website and on the NSR blog.

The gestation stall issue was a shadow hanging over the expo this year, just the latest in attacks against the pork industry totally led by HSUS, which even tweeted under the #NPPCWPX hash tag this week – “It’s time the pork industry make plans for getting rid of gestation crates. Pigs & farmers both deserve better.”

If it were up to HSUS, there would probably be no Junior National, or any Pork Expo, for that matter. Reporter Sandhya Dirks of Iowa Public Radio did a story today titled “Is the Agriculture Industry Being Bullied?” about an aspiring young livestock producer who feels he may not have a future in the industry because of HSUS. In an interview with the reporter, HSUS president Wayne Pacelle denies that he wants to eliminate animal agriculture, but then goes on to compare livestock farming to slavery.

“Who’s really the bully when people are taking advantage of animals?” Pacelle says, adding that he doesn’t think the differences between animal rights activists and animal agriculture one of those things where “the truth is in the middle.” “I don’t think the truth was in the middle when our nation fought about child labor or slavery,” he said.

Pacelle also accuses the aspiring producer of adopting “the party line” and predicting that the young man’s attitudes will be totally different in five years, “because there’s no future in holding the line on confinement crates.” Sounds like a threat to me.

The young people who raise livestock for shows pamper those animals and often become very attached to them, but they know very well that they will someday be food on someone’s table. I’m reminded of a line from a very funny video from a British TV program that shows vegetarianism from the other point of view – “Pigs are expensive, pink and annoying – they’re also delicious.”

2012 World Pork Expo Photo Album

2012 “Olym-Pigs” at World Pork Expo

Posted on by

In honor of the big summer games coming up in just a few weeks, Automated Production Systems (APS) made the 2012 “Olym-Pigs Feastival” the theme for their annual World Pork Expo show pig this year.

As always, the folks at APS went all out for the roll out of the roast hog on Thursday afternoon of the expo, with a torch procession and events such as “shuttle pig” and the balance Jim Beam. APS always has a great time with this, after spending all day cooking not only their hog, but also a couple of others for exhibitors.

Watch the 2012 Olym-Pigs procession here:


2012 World Pork Expo Photo Album

Whopper of a Pork Burger at Pork Expo

Posted on by

It may not qualify for the Guinness Book of World Records, but it will feed a lot of hungry people.

A 260 pound pork burger was cooked at World Pork Expo on Thursday by Gary Vinsand, owner of Vinny’s BBQ in Dakota City, Iowa on behalf of Hog Slat and the National Pork Producers Council. “I made one two years ago that was 240 pounds of meat, this one’s 260,” Gary said. As far as he’s concerned, that’s a record, even though the Guinness Book of World Records won’t consider it. “They won’t recognize it because they lump it in with a hamburger,” he said.

After a team of heavy lifters carefully slid the monster pork burger on to a 40 pound bun, Gary cut it up to donate much of it to AmeriCorps Vista’s central Iowa shelter. “We serve upwards of 100,000 meals throughout the city in a given year,” said volunteer Amy Olson, who was on hand for the event.

Listen to or download audio from the video below with Gary and Amy here: World's Largest Pork Burger



2012 World Pork Expo Photo Album

BIVI 3FLEX Makes an Impression at WPX

Posted on by

Managing swine respiratory diseases is economically important for the pork industry, which is why the relatively new Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica 3FLEX vaccine is being well received by producers.

During a BIVI press conference at World Pork Expo, experts discussed the latest findings in managing swine respiratory diseases such as Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), Porcine Circovirus Associated Disease (PCV2) and mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. hyo).

“These diseases have drastic economic impacts on the swine industry; the PRRS virus alone is estimated to cost the U.S. Swine industry $664 million annually,” said Dr. John Waddell, Professional Services Veterinarian for BIVI, who suggests using a five-step process to help manage respiratory diseases. That is: 1) Identify desired goals; 2) Determine current status of farm; 3) Understand current constraints; 4) Develop solution options; and 5) Implement and monitor preferred solutions.

Listen to or download an interview with Dr. Waddell here: Dr. John Waddell

Darin Madson, Assistant Professor of Pathology with the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, presented the latest research findings on PCV2 in-utero infection and the role of vaccination, noting that in-utero PCV2 infection is more common than clinical reproductive disease.

“Research indicates that dam vaccination decreases reproductive disease, in-utero infection and secretion of virus through milk and colostrum. Also, research shows dam vaccination improves herd reproductive parameters, piglet weaning weights and has an effect on nursery/growth-finish mortality,” said Dr. Madson.

Listen to or download an interview with Dr. Madson here: Dr. Darin Madson

BIVI Swine Technical Manager Greg Cline discussed how 3FLEX, the first USDA approved three- way combination package, mixed and administered as a single shot for pigs three weeks of age and older, is helping producers manage these respiratory diseases. “There are many benefits to using 3FLEX. Using a combination vaccine saves time and money by reducing labor costs associated with handling and treating pigs multiple times, reduces the number of injection sites and reduces animal stress,” Dr. Cline said. BIVI has had great response from producers since the product was introduced just about a year ago.

Listen to or download interview with Greg Cline here: Dr. Greg Cline

Find out more about 3FLEX online at flexcombo.com.

2012 World Pork Expo Photo Album

Iowa Governor Visits Pork Expo

Posted on by

There is probably no governor in any state who is a greater advocate for agriculture than Governor Terry Branstad of Iowa.

The governor visited World Pork Expo on Thursday afternoon and had some pork for lunch before addressing some remarks to producers at the NPPC Investors luncheon. “We know how important agriculture and the pork industry are to our state,” he said. “It’s an exciting time to be governor of the leading pork producing state.”

Branstad said Iowa is working very hard to increase trade opportunities. “We have a goal to increase exports by 20% over the next five years,” he said, noting that he just returned from spending a week in China.

After lunch, Branstad took a couple of questions from the media, mostly centered on the efforts of animal activists to get rid of gestation stalls, comparing it to the recent misinformation campaign about lean finely textured beef and saying that the “last thing that we should do is follow the example of the Europeans.”

Listen to or download Branstad’s lunch comments here: Iowa Governor Terry Branstad

Listen to or download Branstad’s press comments here: Iowa Governor Terry Branstad

2012 World Pork Expo Photo Album

NPPC President at World Pork Expo

Posted on by

Nearly 20,000 pork producers and industry experts from about 38 countries are at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines this week, including National Pork Producers Council president R.C. Hunt of North Carolina.

I had a chance to chat with R.C. this morning after he gave an update to the media about trade issues. R.C. is excited about expo this year and the great weather we’ve had so far and he is hopeful that exports for the industry will do as well as they did last year, but he is concerned about actions of food retailers toward forcing producers to make significant production changes.

Listen to or download my interview with R.C. here: NPPC president R.C. Hunt

2012 World Pork Expo Photo Album

Survey on Sow Housing Released at WPX

Posted on by

Results of a survey issued opening day at the World Pork Expo show that the overwhelming majority of the U.S. sow herd spends some time in individual housing, known as gestation stalls. The findings confirm concerns by the National Pork Producers Council about food retailers who have bowed to demands of animal activists and announced they will use only pork from operations that are gestation-stall free.

The survey, conducted by University of Missouri extension economist Ron Plain, found that currently only 17.3 percent of sows spend a portion of gestation in open pens. Plain surveyed pork operations with 1,000 or more sows. He received responses from 70 operations, which combined own about 3.6 million of the nation’s 5.7 million sows.

The Plain survey found that 20.2 percent of sows on operations of 1,000-9,999 sows, 18.9 percent on operations of 10,000-99,999 and 16.4 percent on operations of more than 100,000 are in open pens for some portion of gestation. When asked about plans to put more sows in open pens, the largest operations indicated that 23.8 percent of their sows would be in them in two years, operations of 10,000-99,999 sows would have 21.3 of their pigs in such pens and operations of 1,000-9,999 would have 20.7 percent.

Listen to an interview with Ron Plain about the survey here: MU economist Ron Plain

Listen to audio from opening press conference about the survey: WPX news conference

Thanks to Meghan Grebner and Ken Anderson of Brownfield Ag News for providing news conference audio and photos.


2012 World Pork Expo Photo Album

Farm Broadcasting in the Pork Checkoff Tent

Posted on by

Stop by the National Pork Board tent during World Pork Expo and you will be seeing some of the nation’s top farm broadcasters doing markets, interviews and commentary on the stage.

Meghan Grebner of Brownfield Ag News is pictured here interviewing NPB CEO Chris Novak during the noon show segment at the tent. She and colleague Ken Anderson will also be doing the noon show tomorrow. Other famous farm broadcasters like Pam “Fabulous Farm Babe” Jahnke will be stopping by during the day to update producers on the markets.


2012 World Pork Expo Photo Album

World Pork Expo Sponsored by BIVI

Posted on by

Arrived in time for lunch today on the first day of the 2012 World Pork Expo after driving in from Chicago this morning and everything is already in full swing.

Our coverage this year is being sponsored exclusively by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., (BIVI) so the first thing I did when I got on the fairgrounds was head over to the tent where I found Trudy Luther of BIVI with Leigh Ann Cleaver and Jill Mahoney of BCS Communications all brightly branded in pork pink for the show. This is one of Jill’s first events with BCS but she is no stranger to WPX. If you look back to previous years, you will see lots of photos of Jill in her previous life with Novus International. She just recently moved from St. Louis to Kansas City to join our good friends at BCS and we are very happy to be working with her again. She is working with a fantastic team there!

So – getting a later start than normal here this year but we’ll get up to speed here soon. Got the photo album started with a couple of shots but many more will be coming!

2012 World Pork Expo Photo Album

World Pork Expo Introduces Mobile App

Posted on by

For the first time, people attending World Pork Expo, June 6-8 in Des Moines, Iowa, will be able to get the latest Expo information with a customized smartphone app. With half of today’s mobile subscribers owning smartphones and National Hog Farmer reporting that about 30 percent of its readers access the Internet using their phones, this new app is designed to help attendees make the most of their Expo visit. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and National Hog Farmer partnered to develop the app for Apple, Android and Blackberry mobile devices.

The World Pork Expo mobile app will provide up-to-date information and locations, including a complete list of the Expo’s exhibitors, a map to navigate the show and much more. The app will enable attendees to plan their day by selecting business seminars and special events to place on their personalized calendars. It also provides trade-show contacts and exhibitor descriptions, profiles of meeting activities, and a place for users to take notes.

The World Pork mobile app can be downloaded free of charge by searching “World Pork” in the Apple Store, Android Marketand Blackberry’s App World. People also can connect to an online dashboard for easy access for downloading the app.

2012 World Pork Expo

Posted on by

It’s not too early to get your plans made for this year’s World Pork Expo. If you don’t have a hotel room you’d better get on it too since the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championship will be in Des Moines at the same time as World Pork Expo again this year. BTW. We have sponsorship opportunities for our coverage of this year’s show available. Just contact Dave Larson.

Plans are underway for this year’s World Pork Expo June 6-8 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. Join the nearly 20,000 producers and allied-industry representatives who will be on hand to see more than 450 commercial exhibits, participate in business seminars and show outstanding breeding stock.

It’s never too early to register for media credentials. You’ll know you have registered successfully if, once you click “submit,” you’re taken to a landing page with the headline, “Thank you for registering,” and you subsequently receive a confirmation email. If you’d like to check your registration status, contact:jkeene@mccormickcompany.com.

Let your readers, listeners and viewers know that, they now can preregister to attend World Pork Expo. By registering online, attendees receive a $10 early registration discount.

Become a friend of World Pork Expo on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (#NPPCWPX) to receive regular updates. You’ll find additional information just for journalists at the online media center.

Increasing Pork Producer Profitability

Posted on by

The master carver working on a freshly roasted pig, pictured on the right, is Scott Moore, National Sales Manager, Pork, Novus International. Scott is from North Carolina. That was some very fine roasted pork he was preparing for us at World Pork Expo last week!

In his area Scott says that although the challenges producers have in his area aren’t unique they are more accentuated than other areas due to higher costs for grain brought in from the midwest. “If in fact $7 to $8 grain costs in the midwest is a problem, $9 to $10 costs is even more of a problem on the east coast,” he says. For this reason Scott says the new Novus Accelerating Finishing Profitability program contains specific elements to help producers deal with challenges, especially on a regional basis. Scott Moore Interview

2011 World Pork Expo Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2011 World Pork Expo is sponsored by NOVUSAgWired coverage of the 2011 World Pork Expo is sponsored by boehringer-ingelheim

Hidden Profit Robbers Hurt Pork Producers

Posted on by

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica (BIVI) hosted a media event on the last day of World Pork Expo that focused on Keeping Food Safe and Profits Growing.

Controlling enteric diseases caused by ileitis and Salmonella can help both keep food safe and pork producer profits growing. “Enteric diseases are sometimes below the threshold of detection,” said Kent Schwartz, DVM with Iowa State University. “Feed is the largest input into the cost of production and anything that comprises intestinal function has a propensity to cost money and among many other factors are infectious diseases.”

Dr. Schwartz recommends that producers keep good records on animals and determine whether they are achieving their potential. “Lawsonia and Salmonella are very common infections,” he said. “These agents can cause disease that are not necessarily visual but can impact feed to gain and we do have for those two agents very effective vaccines that can take them out of the equation.”

Listen to or download an interview with Dr. Schwartz here: Dr. Kent Schwartz

Since control of Salmonella is a food safety concern, BIVI senior veterinarian John Kolb says it is is something producers can and should address. “Salmonella’s always going to be there,” he said. “One more thing that we can do to reduce the amount of Salmonella in the pig itself, is use vaccination.”

Dr. Kolb recommends producers get their vet involved and determine when exposure to Salmonella starts and make sure the vaccine gets in ahead of it.

Listen to or download an interview with Dr. Kolb here: John Kolb with BIVI

2011 World Pork Expo Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2011 World Pork Expo is sponsored by NOVUSAgWired coverage of the 2011 World Pork Expo is sponsored by boehringer-ingelheim

Novus Sees Growth In Enzyme Use

Posted on by

Novus International has seen a big growth in the use of enzymes and the outlook is for that growth to continue. I learned this while speaking with Gary Hayen at last week’s World Pork Expo.

Gary is the global product business manager for the enzyme and fermentation products business area. I asked him to provide an overview of how important enzymes are for the feedstock industry. He says, “For cost efficiency and nutrient utilization, enzymes are going to play a key role in being able to help the producer obtain the efficiency and cost effectiveness they need.” Basically enzymes play a role in freeing up some of the energy and protein/nutrition values of feed ingredients that you wouldn’t get without using them. Gary provides some specific examples of how this works in my interview with him. He says that it’s a real growth opportunity in the coming years. Gary says that they can show an up to $3 return on each animal for use of enzymes. Gary Hayen Interview

2011 World Pork Expo Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2011 World Pork Expo is sponsored by NOVUSAgWired coverage of the 2011 World Pork Expo is sponsored by boehringer-ingelheim

Novus Helping Pork Producers Achieve Profitability

Posted on by

At World Pork Expo I visited with Stephanie Gable, pictured second from the right. Stephanie is now the global marketing manager for beef, dairy and pork for Novus International. She is also a past president of the National Agri-Marketing Association.

We talked about the new Novus Accelerating Finishing Profitability program that was announced during the show. Stephanie says this boils down to helping customers “take what they have and make it more profitable.” She says that Novus has created a step by step process that helps them figure out what their current needs are and how the products Novus offers can help them meet those needs. To get the help offered by Accelerating Finishing Profitability Stephanie recommends contacting a Novus representative, nutritionist or the Novus Pork website. Stephanie Gable Interview

2011 World Pork Expo Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2011 World Pork Expo is sponsored by NOVUSAgWired coverage of the 2011 World Pork Expo is sponsored by boehringer-ingelheim

Wrapping Up at World Pork Expo

Posted on by

After torrential downpours over night, it’s pretty quiet here on the last day of World Pork Expo.

We had some serious rain during the day yesterday, but it all cleared up just in time for the bands to start playing and the roasted hogs to come out. National Pork Producers Association CEO Neil Dierks says the expo was excellent this year, especially day one. “We haven’t heard the numbers yet, but we won’t be surprised if it’s not the best first day we’ve had for many, many years – even though it was 94 degrees and about 97 percent humidity,” he said.

Neil says producers are “reasonably pleased” with the current state of the industry, but concerned about issues facing them such as feed availability, getting trade agreements approved and government regulation, especially the proposed GIPSA rule.

Listen to or download my interview with Neil here: NPPC CEO Neil Dierks