This year’s International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo has done very well on attendance as was expected. Here are some summary statistics just released by the organizers:

The 2011 International Poultry Expo and International Feed Expo drew over 20,000 poultry and feed industry leaders from all over the world. In addition, the show had over 900 exhibitors, almost a 12% increase from last year. Sponsored by U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and the American Feed Industry Association, the annual Expo is the world’s largest poultry and feed industry event of its kind.

“We were excited about the number of exhibitors and attendees on the exhibit floor,” said 2011 USPOULTRY chairman Gary Cooper, Cooper Farms, Oakwood, OH. “We were up in numbers in both areas from last year. We are very pleased with the great turn-out for this year, and the excitement on the floor has been tangible.”

This morning I met the Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture, Gary Black, and sat down with him to discuss the impact of the show on the state and hear his outlook for Georgia agriculture. He says that one of his key goals is to help the general public better understand how important agriculture is to the state. One example he points to is making a number of changes in his department’s offices which will provide more in-office educational opportunities working with various farm groups. He also says that they are working on a plan to utilize social media in their efforts to reach out to the non-farm sector. Other subjects we talk about include alternative energy production and challenges to farming.

You can listen to my interview with Gary here: Interview With Gary Black

2011 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo Photo Album

AgWired IPE/IFE coverage sponsored by: