World Pork Expo GM Thrilled with Crowds

John Davis

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.

novus at 2010 world pork expoSome 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:
Novus and boehringer-ingelheim.

Audio, Novus International, Pork, Swine, World Pork Expo

Mexican Fiesta Iowa Style

Joanna Schroeder

novus at 2010 world pork expoThe 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:
Novus and boehringer-ingelheim.

Novus International, Pork, Swine, Video, World Pork Expo

World Pork Downpour

Cindy Zimmerman

downpour at world pork expoThe 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:
Novus and boehringer-ingelheim.

Novus International, World Pork Expo

Kids, Hogs, Horses & Tractors

Joanna Schroeder

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:
Novus and boehringer-ingelheim.

Novus International, Pork, Swine, Video, World Pork Expo

John Deere Gator XUV Offers Lots of Options

Chuck Zimmerman

This is what the action looks like out here at Carolina Adventure World for the John Deere Gator XUV product launch and media event. I had my turn and I have video and interviews that will wait until another time.

I spoke with John Gilbeck, John Deere Product Marketing Manager, about the new machines during a break in the action. He says there are 3 new models, the 625i, 855D and 825i. The 825i is really the star of the show with maximum speed of 44 mph! I can verify that since I did it on one straight stretch of our riding area. He provides an overview of features and options that you’ll find on the new machines. John Deere is offering a significant amount of dealer installed options which he says offers customers some savings when picking some of the options.

I’ve updated my photo album with some action photos of the new machines being driven by the journalists out there: John Deere Gator XUV Launch Photo Album

You can learn more about the new Gators with the John Deere news release.

Audio, John Deere

Improved Feed Quality = Improved Pig Health

Joanna Schroeder

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:
Novus and boehringer-ingelheim.

Audio, Feed, Novus International, Pork, Swine, World Pork Expo

Why BASF Cares About Sustainability

Cindy Zimmerman

BASF ChicagoDefining and improving sustainability is important for all of production agriculture around the globe, which is why BASF has taken a keen interest in the subject.

Markus Heldt is president of crop protection for BASF global, located in Germany, a position he took last year after serving for many years as head of crop protection for the company in North America. During a conference on sustainability for ag media in Chicago this week, he said that while the general public trusts farmers, they have little confidence in farming methods. “What we find increasingly disturbing is the disconnect of how the general public views farming operations, especially in the US and in Europe,” Markus said. “A very romantic and idealistic picture of agriculture that is not existing any longer.”

Markus says farmers are taking care of the land and improving the way they do business, but consumers do not understand that and it is a challenge for the entire agriculture industry. “We as a company, as an industry, have to a better job to try and bridge that gap,” he said.

Listen to my interview with Markus in the player below.

BASF Ag Media Summit on Sustainability photo album

Audio, BASF, Sustainability, Uncategorized

John Deere Gator XUV Adventure Begins

Chuck Zimmerman

We’ve got a lot of media types out at Carolina Adventure World to drive the new John Deere Gator XUV’s.

We’ll be starting off with a briefing in just a few minutes before going to the driving course. There is some very slow internet here at the headquarters building so I probably will be off line most of the day. I’ll try to stop back by before leaving for an update this afternoon though.

Here’s Greg Lamp, Corn and Soybean Digest, on one of the new Gator 825i machines. These will be the ones we’re riding today although I heard something about a military application too. More on that later.

In the meantime you can see and hear the launch in my post from last night. So I hope you enjoy.

John Deere

New John Deere Gator 825i XUV

Chuck Zimmerman

Here it is. The 2011 John Deere 825i Gator utility vehicle. I’ll be out on this bad boy tomorrow so you can count on some video. Here’s a link to some photos from the event: John Deere Gator XUV Photo Album

“Headlining the 2011 XUV models will be the brand new Gator XUV 825i – the fastest and most powerful Gator ever produced,” said David Gigandet, tactical marketing manager, utility vehicles. “Anyone with a sense of adventure and a love of the outdoors will enjoy putting its best-in-class advanced engine system to the test.”

Boasting 50 HP, it is the highest-powered engine in its class with superior low-end torque for taking on even the toughest tasks, trails, and terrain. Horsepower is delivered by an 815cc, liquid cooled, inline 3-cylinder engine featuring 4 valves per cylinder, dual overhead cams and electronic fuel injection.

“And, the 825i can travel at speeds up to 44 mph,” emphasized Gigandet. “This is the fastest Gator we’ve ever built and this is an example of the commitment we’ve made to provide top-of-the-line XUVs for the outdoor enthusiast.”

So there you have it. New Gators unveiled and more to come. For those of you who missed the unveiling I have the full audio of the presentation posted below as well as the video of the unveiling.

John Deere

Spirits High at World Pork Expo Trade Show

Joanna Schroeder

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:
Novus and boehringer-ingelheim.

Novus International, Pork, Swine, World Pork Expo