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WORLD PORK EXPO: United States 04 Jun 2009

The first day of the 25th edition of the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, brought loads of sunshine and high hopes of finding solutions for the difficult times the pork industry is in. Pig Progress editor Vincent ter Beek spent a long day at the fairgrounds...

01. Flags of the country and state indicate the venue: Iowa, USA.
02. Events at the Iowa State Fairgrounds started at about 8am.
03. Press conferences by both the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the National Pork Board (NPB) were early in the morning. Here, Dr Liz Wagstrom (NPB) explains why the influenza A (H1N1) outbreak should definitely be taken seriously. See item Emergency upgrade for pork quality programme
04. The majority of the over 400 exhibitors could be found in the Varied Industries Building.
05. Most visitors, although not as plentiful as in the last couple of years, and rather pessimistic by the latest blow created by the H1N1 crisis, knew their way to the major booths.
06. Mostly national exhibitors on the US market could be found in the Cattle Barn.
07. Here, representatives of the National Swine Registry were also present, as well as e.g. the World Pork Expo Farm Toy Show.
08. The Swine Barn was the venue for the 2009 World Pork Expo Junior National show, where youngsters presented their pigs.
09. The stands were full to see the animals and children perform.
10. 'Outside' always plays an important role in Des Moines, and luckily the weather had improved to allow for a good atmosphere among the tents.
11. The Pork Checkoff drew attention for its actions by large blue balloons.
12. A large number of transport trucks were also on display outside. See also innovations welfare transport for pigs.
13. Tents were full of business as usual, like this one from Canadian pig breeder Genesus, making the total number of booths over 900.
14. In the Varied Industries Building, representatives of many major American companies could be found, like livestock & horticulture equipment company Valco.
15. Animal health company Fort Dodge as strongly present to promote its PCV2 vaccine Suvaxyn PCV2.
16. Animal health company Elanco celebrated the 10th anniversary of Paylean.
17. Feed additives company Zinpro spent quite some effort to explain visitors about trace minerals.
18. The Pfizer Animal Health booth could not be missed as it was located strategically in the front of the building.
19. Pig equipment companies Chore-Time, Porcon, Laake and Mannebeck presented themselves together as the new partner Pigtek.
20. Last but not least: some oddities. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health introduced clever ground marketing.
21. Some people needed a pair of glasses...
22. ...or simply different livestock.
23. But when all is said and done, and with loads of business done or none at all, the World Pork Expo always offers a savoury snack for those keen on pork.