PORKEXPO 2012: Brazil

Curitiba, the capital of Parana, is the venue of the PorkExpo, an event that has been existing for ten years now. One of Curitiba's landmarks is this greenhouse in the Botanic Garden.

The Expo Unimed is where it all happens. On the picture, there is not an inflatable castle for kids, but simply an advertising structure that was hit by the wind. It is chilly and windy in Brazil - winter is only days behind us.

The PorkExpo, drawing some 2,000 swine professionals this first day, from mainly Brazil and surrounding countries, is a combination of a show and a seminar. On the show, more than 50 professional companies present themselves, while...

...in two concurrent sessions, actual topics are being discussed by quality speakers from all over the world in the Sixth International Forum on Swine Production. Simultaneous translation is offered in English and Spanish.

Among the key speakers was Dr Luciano Roppa, Roppa Consulting, and president of the Forum. He gave a general introduction of the situation of swine farming in Brazil, and forecasted where global swine production will go.

Osler Desouzart, OD Consulting - presented his view on future exports for Brazil. He emphasised that most opportunities show up for beef and poultry exports.

Jeff Simmons, president of Elanco admitted that he had been converted 'activist'. He took a strong position against animal welfarists, who in his view are coercing governments into regulations that work counterproductive and unsustainable.

Fabiano Coser, Brazilian Association of Swine Breeders (ABCS), explained what his organisation does to promote pork in several states of Brazil, as many consumers do not buy pork as it is simply not on supermarket shelves. In 2013 a 'National Pork Week' will be held.

MSD Animal Health will hold a seminar on the second day of the event.

Tortuga (Spanish for turtle) is a Brazilian mineral producer, now part of DSM.

Pfizer Animal Health launched the second edition of the handbook 'Doencas dos Suinos', Portuguese for 'Swine Diseases'.

And whoever is really endorsing the ABCS plan to promote pork throughout Brazil, can leave a signature here!

German pig equipment manufacturer Weda is present at the PorkExpo since liquid feeding is quite popular among Brazilian swine breeders.

The second day of the PorkExpo was started with a very useful and comprehensive presentation by Glauber Machado, speaking on behalf of Danbred, and including many practical advice how producers can reach up to 35 piglets weaned/ sow/ year.

Dr Joe Crenshaw, APC, spoke of the benefits of spray dried porcine plasma - and about immunostimulating functions of plasma.

Hilduard Swarts, MSD Animal Health, told a room packed with audience why synchronising sow oestrus is beneficial for farm management and touched on the principle of batch management.

The second day was closed off with the annual awards - the most prestigious prize, for best performing breeding farm, went to Mateus and Marcello Simao, from Chacara Vo Ita farm, in Castro, Parana. They reached on average 33.97 weaned piglets/ sow/ year last year.