It’s time for the World Pork Expo. This year both Cindy and I will be on location with coverage here on AgWired starting tomorrow morning.
If you’re attending Expo please use the official hashtag – #nppcwpx and follow along with the Expo Twitter account: @NPPCWPX. We’ve got a media reception this afternoon and then all kinds of activities get going tomorrow. We will be seeing you from there.
Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome … better known as PRRS … has changed the way farmers raise hogs, and attendees of the Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) seminars at the recent World Pork Expo were able to hear how biosecurity, vaccination and tracking of PRRS are keys to controlling the disease.
At the session I was able to attend, Dr. John Waddell of the Sutton Veterinary Clinic in Sutton, Nebraska, told the group that biosecurity needed to be addressed on a daily basis.
“You’ve got your risks of direct introduction, and you’ve got lots of ways you can indirectly introduce virus or disease into a herd.” He said you have to believe that you can track the disease and then use discipline and accountability to keep from introducing disease into swine herds. Dr. John Waddell Interview
Dr. Michael Murtaugh, a noted professor of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Minnesota explained to the people attending the session there are certain indirect benefits to vaccinating a swine herd.
“Vaccination can reduce the amount of PRRS virus in an area, which would reduce the risks of infection.” And mass vaccinations can help drive out a variety of PRRS viruses. With fewer overall viruses, the better the chances of overall PRRS control. But Murtaugh also cautioned the audience that there are limited diagnostic capabilities. “You need to understand the strengths and limitations of your tools to use them the best way possible.” Dr. Michael Murtaugh
One tool is producers’ arsenals is a system actually developed by Boehringer Ingelheim and donated to veterinarians called PADRAP … Production Animal Disease Risk Assessment Program, an online risk assessment. Dr. Derald Holtkamp, an assistant professor at Iowa State University, explained vets have been able to use PADRAP as a communication tool to ensure a coordinated approach to controlling PRRS is used.
“A number of these things veterinarians have been talking to their clients about for years. But what PADRAP does is give them a more systematic way to do it.” Holtkamp said PADRAP also helps producers decide what method they need to use to eliminate PRRS in their herds.
Dr. John Waddell interview
All three agree that PRRS has changed the way swine production and biosecurity is handled, and it is a costly disease. “But I think we’re going to win this battle,” said Waddell.
World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
and 
.
Swine health is of the utmost importance for producers and the use of antibiotics has often been used to keep the pigs healthy. Yet a few years ago, the European Union passed legislation that limited the use of antibiotics for animal health. Since then, many of these producers have been using organic acids to help improve pig health with great success.
Here is the U.S. similar antibiotic legislation is being considered so I sat down with Helen Stebbens, Ph.D. in Pig Nutrition for Novus Europe, to learn more about the pending legislation and what it would mean for American pig producers should it pass. Stebbens has been working on developing organic acids for pig health and she told me right away that in Europe, the producers have not only survived but their levels of production are very good, in part due to the integration of organic acids.
“Many are using organic acids in young pigs,” explained Stebbens. “They are very effective for young pigs where their digestive system is not very mature and organic acids really help to boost the acidity within the stomach of the young pigs and forms a barrier of pathogens toward entry.” Ultimately, she said, this helps to keep the pig’s gut healthy.
Keeping the pig’s gut healthy lessens the needs for things like antibiotics and also improves the ROI for the producer. Stebbens noted that there has been a good adoption of the technique among producers in the U.S. and she believes that they will find it a very cost effective option in maintaining gut health. She also stressed that organic acids do not need to be used all the time but only during critical times of stress such as when the pigs are moving house or units.
There are many Novus nutritional experts that are available to work with producers who are interested in learning more about organic acids, and encouraged them to contact Novus. You can learn more about organic acids at www.novusint.com.
You can listen to the in-depth interview with Helen below. You can also check out all the World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album.
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
and .
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
More than 20,000 producers from 30 countries and over 400 exhibitors, including Novus International, celebrated the pork industry’s return to profitability during the 2010 World Pork Expo in Des Moines last week.
One of the international visitors who stopped by the Novus tent at WPX was Leonardo Cuevas, a consultant from Chile, who said the event provided him with lots of new information to bring back to his country. “I think we have to improve our industry, in nutrition, minerals and vitamins, especially in the sow and breeder aspect,” Leonardo told me. “Also artificial insemination, environmental control and management of mortality, composting, etc.”
He says this was his third visit to Pork Expo. “I would recommend for everybody to come here. It’s a good investment for producers.”
It’s also a good investment for exhibitors who offer products and services to help producers be more efficient and profitable. Novus International Global Marketing Manager Felipe Navarro says Novus is in about 80 countries, so it World Pork Expo is a great place for them to meet with their customers in many countries. “The only two areas we are missing in this show are China and Asia Pacific. This is related to the business situation, they’re not doing very well right now, but hopefully they will get to the same point where we are now in North America and Latin America where people are starting to make some profit again,” Felipe said.
He says that there are opportunities and challenges for a company like Novus marketing globally, with different regulations, production methods and diseases from country to country, but all producers want to increase performance, which is where Novus is focusing right now. “Especially sow performance,” Felipe said. “Because by working on the sow, which is the source of your revenue at the end of the day, they produce the piglets that you will raise to market weight.”
Novus representatives spent lots of time visiting with producers about their specific products that include chelated trace minerals, enzymes, mycotoxin technologies and anti-oxidants.
Listen to or download my interview with Felipe in the player below.
World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album.
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
and .
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Apparently I’m the last to know about the sport of pig racing. While I was at the World Pork Expo (WPX) last week, I watched a few of these cute little pigs race to the finish line. The motivation to race? A Fig Newton. I must say, these are my kinds of pigs! The pigs are trained at the Hedricks Exotic Animal Farm in Nickerson, Kansas and travel all over the country to entertain crowds.
The pig races at WPX are a fan favorite and the stands were full for most of the races. I watched three heats the first being an all female heat called the “Powder Puff Derby.” Representing the red team was Britney Squeals, the white team featured Lindsey Loham, the blue team Hamma Montana, and on the yellow team Miss Piggy. And the winner was….you’ll just have to watch the video to find out who won this heat. And if you get a chance, don’t miss the racing pigs coming to a track near you.
You can check out all the World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album.
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
and .
Looking for a way to learn strategies to improve your feed quality? Then look no further than your computer. On June 24, 2010, WATT is offering a free “WATT Online Feed Forum.” This virtual forum offers researchers, producers and executives an opportunity to learn about the latest research and products that will not only improve your feed quality but also improve your bottom line. The forum will cast a wide net with the audience but offer a narrow focus with the presentations.
I caught up with Jeff Miller, the Director of Strategy of Sales and Marketing in the Novus International booth during World Pork Expo to learn more about this virtual feed forum. Novus is a supporter of this event. He explained, “This is synonymous with a live trade show but its on the internet. So we’re putting five presentations on in which an audience of knowledge seekers from over 100 countries from around the world have signed up to attend these presentations and they also have the ability to mingle with their colleagues from all over the world. And of course they have the opportunity to go to sponsor booths that are also in the virtual event.”
The presentation topics include:
Although the presentations are pre-recorded, event day participants will have the opportunity to join a live Q&A session with the speakers. However, if you can’t make the live event, the feed forum will be archived for three months.
Miller said that while they appreciate being at live events, his company strongly feels that there is a global audience of people who are looking for knowledge and education in any channel available. “This virtual trades show platform is another channel for professionals to get quality information about agribusiness,” concluded Miller.
Listen below to my full interview with Jeff. You can register for the free feed forum and see the archive of the Watt Poultry Nutrition & Health Forum, at www.wattevents.com.
You can check out all the World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album.
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
and .
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
New from Novus International at the World Pork Expo this year was the Equalizing Sow Performance program designed to optimize herd production.
I talked with Randy Anderson (left), who is the National Pork Business Sales Manager for Novus, about the sow program, which he says is basically a combination of their MINTREX® and ZORIEN® products. “We’re feeding the sows through gestation and lactation to help optimize performance,” Randy said. “We’re improving the feet and legs, the joint health of the animal, helping them to walk better, last longer in the herd – so basically we’re improving the longevity of the sow. And in doing that, we’re also getting a reproductive benefit of increasing the live born of the sow.”
Randy says they officially launched the program at World Pork and got good feedback from producers. “The nice thing about the MINTREX® sow program is that it works for everyone, no matter how big or how small.”
Novus VP for the Americas Dan Meagher is the guy on the right in the picture, helping to cut up and serve the Novus roasted pig at the expo. He says producers at the show this year were more optimistic than they have been in the past couple of years. “Attitudes are much better than they were last year, still cautiously optimistic, but certainly the outlook is brighter,” Dan told me. “People are conscious of having to manage the animal numbers but what they’re looking for now is how do I put a little bit more weight on and really take advantage of the markets that are out there.”
Dan also talked to me about Novus’ recent acquisitions of Albion and IQF-ENAMEX and how they have helped strengthen the company’s product lines and offerings for all types of livestock producers.
Listen to or download that interview in the player below and check out all the World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
and .
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
A hot topic at this year’s World Pork Expo was the pending free trade agreements that are awaiting Congressional approval. Don Butler, immediate past president of the National Pork Producers cited the agreements between the U.S. and Colombia, Panama and South Korea could make a world of difference for the pork industry in this country. In fact, Butler says the agreement with Korea, if approved, could add at least $10 a head to hog prices (compared to about a dollar or so the Colombian and Panamanian agreements would add). Download (mp3) Butler’s remarks about the agreements at World Pork expo – or listen in the player:
Later, during a stop at the media room, I was able to sit down with Jong Hyun Choi, the Minister to the U.S. for Economic Affairs in the South Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C. and get his thoughts on the pending agreement. He pointed out that the agreement were signed three years ago, but Congress has not given final approval to implement the provisions.
“It’s just about past time for the agreement to be ratified, approved by the U.S. Congress.”
He went on to say one of the main reasons for his visit is to promote the FTA and point out the huge benefits U.S. pork producers and South Korea could see once it is approved.
“Once this agreement is implemented, then the more than 20 percent tariffs (currently on U.S. pork) will be eliminated for frozen pork and within 10 years for fresh and chilled products. So, that implementation could provide a very commercially meaningful leg up for U.S. pork producers.”
Choi added that South Korea has just completed a free trade agreement with the European Union, while hog farmers in Chile have already been enjoying much lower tariffs for the past six years, increasing their market share in South Korea. That trend worries the NPPC, as Butler believes lack of ratification of the U.S.-Korea and other FTAs could end up shutting out American hog farmers from those markets in the next 10 years.
Choi agreed that Congress needs to get moving on this issue, and pork producing groups, such as the NPPC, will need to help push that.
You can hear more of my conversation with Minister Choi in the player below.
Check out all the World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
and .
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) was proud to present some positive progress on the control and eradication of Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS) at World Pork Expo last week.
First, they held a PRRS Area Regional Control workshop on Wednesday and Thursday that was for producers and veterinarians to find out what they can do to implement ARC. On Friday morning, they presented the “science behind the success” of the program for the media.
Dr. Scott Dee with with Swine Disease Eradication Center at the University of Minnesota says area regional control and elimination is on the move. “We had one example last year in Minnesota, but now we have 8-9 different parts of the United States and even a province in Canada that are trying this, seeing if they can reduce the level of infection in their area,” Scott said. “We’ve got to work together to see what we can do to put the damper on this devastating economic disease.”
Another important program to help control the disease is nicknamed PADRAP, the Production Animal Disease Risk Assessment Program. Dr. Dee says BIVI has helped with that by training students to go out and conduct detailed disease and biosecurity risk assessments on hog operations and so far nearly 2000 swine operations have been evaluated.
Dr. Jean Paul (JP) Cano recently joined BIVI as a professional services veterinarian after years in private practice and he says he is optimistic about the potential for controlling PRRS. “What it takes is collaboration and coordination between farms in the same area and sharing the risk of becoming infected,” he said. In addition to the biosecurity measures, JP says PRRS vaccination also plays a critical role in the control and eradication of the disease. “We think that vaccine is one more tool in the tool box that we have to fight this disease in the area regional control concept.”
Listen to or download back-to-back interviews with Dee and Cano in the player below.
World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
and .
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
The folks at Automated Production Systems really ham it up every year at World Pork Expo, and this year the theme was Fiesta for their showcase roasted pig. AP – which offers a complete selection of swine production equipment including feeders and waters, ventilation and heating equipment, feed storage and delivery, flooring, confinement and more – has been dressing up their roasted pig for the crowd at WPX for the past four years. It takes about 10 hours to roast this porker to perfection after preparing it with apple juice and pineapple to make it as succulent as possible.
Jim Swisher (left) and his “hamigos” went all out with the Mexican theme and even had a pig pinata filled with treats for the kiddos. Check out the video to see what I mean.
You can also check out our World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album to see more photos of the Fiesta pig and all the other activities at WPX10.
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
and .
The weather was crazy at World Pork Expo on Thursday, as a two hour torrential downpour at midday gave way to sunshine by the time the band took the stage and the roasted pigs were carved for the crowds.
Some time during the rain, general manager John Wrigley stopped by to visit with the folks at the Novus International tent and chatted with us for a while about how pleased he was with the attendance and to have international visitors back this year.
Last year, you may recall, we had a little thing called H1N1 that kept people from other countries from attending the event. “It was more than a little bit of a problem last year, there was no international attendance to speak of,” John said, but this year is back to normal. “We’ve got over 30 countries that people have registered for World Pork Expo from all over the world.”
Another difference from last year, according to John, is that the mood is a little more upbeat than the last two years. John says the producers who attend expo are a very knowledgeable group who are always looking to do more than fill their tote bags with pens and souvenirs. “The difference is this year they’ve got a smile on their face. There’s nothing like a little change in your pocket to change your attitude,” he said.
This will be John’s last year as general manager of the National Pork Producers Council event which is 22 years old. One of his most satisfying accomplishments during his nine year tenure is starting the Junior National Swine show, which has grown to a whopping 1700 pigs this year – a big jump from the 200 when that program was started seven years ago.
Listen to or download John’s comments about this year’s expo in the player below.
You can also check out our World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album.
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
and .
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
The torrential rains cleared out just in time for the annual pig roast at World Pork Expo. Automated Production Systems (AP) were the culinary experts of all things pork during the show. Yesterday, I watched as they prepared the pig, which was roasted for more than 24 hours. First, they seasoned the pig with sea salt and then they added their secret spices. As the pig slowly roasted, AP continued to add its unique flavors. Each year, Jim and the rest of the AP team dress up the pig playing on a theme…this year, the theme was a Mexican Fiesta – Iowa style.
The pig carved outside the Novus International tent was served up without decoration, but was just as tasty. After the crew at Novus carved the pig, the lines were long but it was worth the wait. The pork literally melted in your mouth and was so flavorful you didn’t even need to add the “traditional” bbq sauce.
You can watch a video of Novus’ pig roast here.
Don’t forget to check out our World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Albumwhere you can see the pig from start to finish.
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
and .
The masses at World Pork Expo have been huddling in tents and staying inside the buildings and barns for the past hour due to a torrential downpour.
Here at the Novus International tent, we have a flash flood warning in effect – which is keeping us entertained! Here is a little video of what it has been like here:
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
and .
I spent a majority of the morning today at World Pork Expo hanging out in the swine and cattle barns. While I was there, I had the opportunity to see my first pig showing competition. The World Pork Expo Junior National’s was in high gear and several hundred people were in and around the show ring supporting the competitors.
There was a family here today from Oklahoma that I spent a little time with. This is their daughters first show (she was the cutest little girl and about four years old) and she told me that she was having a lot of fun. Maybe we’ll see her in on the winner’s stage later today.
I also walked through the Toy Tractor exhibit where you can by anything from the latest toy to an antique tractor from nearly 100 years ago, and then stopped by the horse ring to watch some beautiful show horses.
Later this afternoon, weather permitting, MusicFest will begin and I’m getting really excited for Novus’ pig roast. In addition, participants in the Crusin’ with the Hogs, will ride down Grand Avenue.
There’s a lot more fun around the corner so check back for more updates. You can also get updates on my Twitter account @jmschroeder. You can also check out our World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album.
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
and .
There are many elements of a pig producer’s operations that could affect both pig health and his bottom line. One such factor is the quality of animal feed. Poor quality can spell trouble for the pigs….illness, depressed growth and lower birth rates just to name a few. To learn more about how to address problems with feed and some options for improving feed quality, I spoke with Scott Moore, Regional Sales Manager for Novus International.
Moore noted that the past 12-18 months has been very challenging for many pork producers. “Crop conditions last fall produced quite a few micotoxins in feed and grain crops that negatively impacted the pig’s ability to consume feed and gain properly.” The result is that many producers have seen reduced performance due to the stress the grain has caused. “When pigs don’t perform up to producers’ expectations, its costly for the producer.”
Novus has several options for producers who need immediate help offsetting the negative effects caused by feed containing mycotoxins. This year, the worst mycotoxin culprit is known as DON, or vomitoxin. Moore noted that Novus has spent many years studying and researching the oxidative balance of the animal and he believes that they have several products that will help the pigs eat properly. Two products he recommends are SOLIS and ZORIEN MOS. Both of these products are designed to reduce the impact of poor feed quality.
It can be challenging for a pork producer to identify and then treat problems with his feed. To help, Novus has an in-house testing facility that can assess any problems and then work with the producer to create a customized plan to improve feed quality. Moore stressed that the addition of SOLIS or ZORIEN MOS to feed will have an immediate and positive impact on a pig’s ability to consume feed, and ultimately, put a producer’s profitability back on track.
You can listen to my full interview with Scott below.
Check out our World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album.
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
and .
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
The spirits among the World Pork Expo exhibitors and the producers are high this year and people are confident that things will continue to improve as the year continues. An estimated 15,000 people from around the globe are expected to attend this year’s event and experience the food, entertainment, educational sessions, and learn about the latest and greatest technologies and products to help them improve their operations.
As I walked through the trade show taking pictures and speaking with companies, I spoke with Rick Bryson with Georgia-Pacific about their biodegradable mats. The Compost-A-Mat is used when the pigs are giving birth and helps to keep the piglets healthy and lowers the chance of spreading disease. Their second sustainable product, the Heartwood Compostable Pen Mat, is used during the weaning process. Since the mats are compostable, they can be added to an operations compost piles.
There are more products, technologies and services here than I can name from nutrition products to automated feed systems to insemination options to products aimed at improving gut health. I’ll be spending more time in the exhibit hall tomorrow and will bring you some additional information about these products.
While you wait….check out our World Pork Expo Photo Album where you’ll be able to experience everything the Expo has to offer minus how amazing the food here is!
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
and .
One of the issues folks in the pork industry know they have is that too many in the public don’t understand what they do. And if they don’t understand, they’re liable not to support hog farmers’ efforts. While an event like World Pork Expo here in Des Moines is important to educate producers and industry folks, there’s also great value in educating people who might never make it to an event like this. That’s why our friends at Boehringer Ingelheim sponsored a seminar this afternoon, entitled, “Creating a Positive Public Image of Today’s Pork Industry.”
Malcolm DeKryger, Vice President for DeMotte, IN-based, Belstra Milling, talked to the group gathered about his company’s efforts, showing and not just telling people how they operate.
“We have put one of our [hog] farms through a remodel process that put in windows so that people can go to almost any barn on the farm and look inside to see what’s going on.”
DeKryger says when groups come out to his Iroquois Valley Swine Breeders operation, they have what he calls the “Oh, WOW!” moment, when they see for themselves how well cared the pigs really are. In addition, they’ve installed two live webcams at www.RealPigFarm.com, where anyone can watch 24 hours a day what goes on. He says his folks are proud of how they handle the animals and want to share what they do day-to-day.
In addition, DeKryger meets with key lawmakers to make his point that animal feeding operations are necessary to feed the large populations, especially in cities such as Chicago. He says they’re winning hearts and minds, one at a time.
“Between a tour like that, where we make contact person-to-person and with the [donations to the local food banks], I really do believe there’s an affirmation as I visit with key decision makers.”
DeKryger says they take all the proper biosecurity measures and make sure that no one from outside the farm (besides the vet) makes contacts with the pigs. He believes that more companies could and should make efforts like this for the overall good of the pork industry.
“We need to have a unified voice to let people know that this is good stuff that happens out on these farms.”
Check out our World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album.
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
and .
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In an earlier post, John wrote about the National Pork Board’s (NPB) celebration of its Pork Quality Assurance Plus program and the milestone of having nearly 60 percent of all hogs in the U.S. and nearly 50,000 producers certified. This announcement was made during a morning press conference, as part of the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, IA.
This afternoon, NPB made a public presentation and kicked off the celebration with the Earlham High School marching band. The group marched down Grand Avenue and through dozens of exhibitor tents and ended their journey in front of NPC’s “We Care” trailer. During the brief presentation, a success ‘o meter was unveiled and after the conclusion of the presentation, the celebration was rounded out with free maple bacon ice cream.
Follow more of our coverage from World Pork Expo at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines here on Agwired.com and on our Twitter accounts @jdavisreporter, @jmschroeder, and later this week, @farmpodcaster … hashtag #WPX10. You can also check out the event in our World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album.
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
and .
One of the highlights from this year’s World Pork Expo at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines is the celebration of the Pork Quality Assurance Plus program and the milestone of having about 60 percent of all hogs in the U.S. and nearly 50,000 producers certified under the program’s guidelines.
Chris Novak, Chief Executive Officer of the National Pork Board says while consumers trust farmers, they don’t always understand what producers do. He says, even in areas, where hogs operations are more common, such as Iowa, too many people don’t know what they’re getting with a quality piece of pork and too many times overcook it, ruining its natural, juicy flavor and texture. And Novak says that message is even more important to audiences in Los Angeles and New York, who might be even more removed from the farm environment.
“We’re going to make certain the messages we put out are just as relevant to a housewife or husband [anywhere] who is preparing the family meals [that pork] is healthy, convenient and fun as well. And we know we can offer that with pork.” Novak adds that they hope their efforts will increase per capita spending on pork by 10 percent.
And from the other end of the line, the National Pork Board wants to emphasize to producers how easy it really is to become certified under the Pork Quality Assurance program.
“Most producers are already doing probably 90 percent of [the requirements under the program],” says Tim Bierman, National Pork Board president and a pork producer from Larrabee, Iowa. He adds that while there are a few things a farmer might have to do a little differently, they should jump right in and get rolling to get their operations certified.
“If there’s something [producers] need to change, there’s no penalties or anything like that. It’s just another set of eyes, and it could help them be more efficient.”
Listen to more of my conversations with Chris and Tim in the players below.
Follow more of our coverage from World Pork Expo at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines here on Agwired.com and on our Twitter accounts @jdavisreporter, @jmschroeder, and later this week, @farmpodcaster … hashtag #WPX10. You can also check out the event in our World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album.
You can download (mp3) and listen to Chris’ remarks here:
You can download (mp3) and listen to Tim’s remarks here:
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
I’ve been hanging out in the Novus International tent this morning during World Pork Expo and the place is busy with activity. Two areas that have been highly discussed around the tables are American legislation to ban the use of certain antibiotics in livestock and poultry. This has already been done in Europe and with the global marketplace for food, other countries are looking at adopting similar European policies. A second topic of interest has been the importance of feed quality and the problems that pork producers have been having over the past 12-18 months dealing with micotoxins.
Since these issues are so important, I sat down with Helen Stebbens, Ph.D. in Pig Nutrition for Novus Europe to discuss organic acids, an alternative to antibiotics that have been used with much success overseas. In addition, I spoke with Scott Moore, Regional Sales Director for Novus about the importance of feed quality and some products that producers can use to combat issues such as micotoxins. Check back later today for both of these stories and audio interviews.
And don’t forget to check out our World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album.
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
