25th World Pork Expo Kicks Off With a Bang

Joanna Schroeder

This year marks the 25th year of the World Pork Expo and the event is sure to be a success. More than 20,000 pork producers and industry representatives from 39 countries will be on hand for the opening today presented by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). According to the Expo’s new General Manager, Alicia Irlbeck, the event is the …

Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novus International, Pork, World Pork Expo

Shuanghui International to Purchase Smithfield Foods

Chuck Zimmerman

We’re talking a lot of pork in this deal. See the full release here. Smithfield Foods, Inc. (NYSE:SFD) and Shuanghui International Holdings Limited today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement that values Smithfield at approximately US$7.1 billion, including the assumption of Smithfield’s net debt. Shuanghui International is the majority shareholder of Henan Shuanghui Investment & Development …

Agribusiness, International, Pork

World Pork Expo Names New General Manager

Jamie Johansen

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) recently named Alicia Irlbeck as the new general manager of World Pork Expo. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the world’s largest pork-specific trade show and will be held June 5-7, in Des Moines, Iowa. Irlbeck will oversee the strategic planning and management of all programs, exhibits and activities. She has been part …

NPPC, Pork, World Pork Expo

First Annual Ozarks Bacon Festival

Melissa Sandfort

It was bound to happen and now it is official – KOZL and the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds are putting on the first annual Ozarks Bacon Festival. Ozarks Bacon Fest – a tribute to Bacon, Bourbon & Beer – holds its inaugural tasting event on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex. Tickets give tguests accss to a …

Agribusiness, Food, Pork

The Glass Walls Project

Jamie Johansen

Speaker after speaker during the Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit reminded us that transparency is no longer an option for the livestock industry. To prove that the agriculture community has nothing to hide, groups have opened their doors to share how your food is made. Senior Vice President for Public Affairs & Professional Development at the American Meat Institute, Janet …

Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Food, NCBA, NPPC, Pork

Communicating Throughout the Food Chain

Jamie Johansen

The Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit brought together people from across the agriculture community to discuss issues our industry is facing. Communicating with our consumers seems to be one of the most important things we need to focus on. Dallas Hockman, Vice President of Industry Relations for the National Pork Producers Council, spoke to attendees about the value of communications …

Animal Agriculture, Audio, Food, NPPC, Pork

Pinot, Pigs & Poets Chef Competition

Talia Goes

The Nebraska Pork Producers Association is excited about expanding their continued sponsorship of this year’s Pinot, Pigs & Poets event at Happy Hollow Club on June 6, 2013 at 6 p.m. The philanthropic event will feature premium Pinot Noir wines, cutting-edge pork dishes and entertainment provided by slam poets from the Nebraska Writers Collective. The Nebraska Pork Producers Association has …

Agribusiness, Events, Pork

Husker Food Connection Connects Urban and Rural

Melissa Sandfort

The Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (A-FAN) collaborated with agriculture-related student organizations at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to host the second annual, Husker Food Connection. Husker Food Connection helps urban students better understand where their food comes from. The theme of the Husker Food Connection was, “Know what we grow: Discovering Nebraska Agriculture.” Listen to Lukas Fricke, …

Agribusiness, Beef, Corn, Dairy, Events, Pork, Poultry, Soybean

New Names for Beef & Pork Cuts

Talia Goes

The National Pork Board and Beef Checkoff Program received unanimous approval from the Industry-Wide Cooperative Meat Identification Standards Committee to introduce updated Uniform Retail Meat Identification Standards nomenclature for fresh beef and pork for retailers to use on pack. Changes to the beef and pork common names were the culmination of extensive consumer research which showed an opportunity for retailers …

Agribusiness, Beef, Pork

See It? Stop It! Animal Care Starts With You

Jamie Johansen

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), along with the Center for Food Integrity and the U.S. Pork Sector jointly launched “See It? Stop It! Animal Care Starts With You.” A campaign to give proactive demonstration of agriculture’s commitment to farm animal care. The initiative demands that if signs of animal abuse, neglect, mishandling or harm are seen, then we have …

Animal Agriculture, Dairy, Pork