PHOTO REPORT: World Pork Expo 2013

Key issue at the 25th edition of the World Pork Expo is Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea. Until three weeks ago unheard of in the US – and now even seminars are devoted to it. What did the first day of the show bring? Pig Progress’ editor Vincent ter Beek reports.

Photo

Perhaps a somewhat strange first slide – but this sky picture tells a lot about the weather situation in Des Moines, Iowa. These clouds have been taking care for quite some rains recently – so farmers have been late with planting crops.
More about the effects of the weather later – on the first day of WPX, weather conditions got better as the day went on. Good news for the 400 exhibitors.
National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) president Randy Spronk opened the day touching on the topics important for US pork production this year. Among these, the recent discovery of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea caused the most discussion.
A special luncheon had been scheduled around the outbreaks – the news being fresh, only three weeks old. Prof Dr Greg Stevenson, Iowa State University, revealed that the virus has been confirmed in 103 specific sites in 11 US states so far.
Next Dr Tom Burkgren, executive director at the American Association of Swine Veterinarians explained what his organisation is doing to identify the origin of the virus and how to contain it.
Dr Lisa Ferguson, USDA-APHIS, said that no foreign countries have closed their borders yet as a result of the discoveries. Two entities, the EU and Canada enquired – just out of curiosity, she said.
Dr Lisa Becton said the National Pork Council board had approved $450,000 in Checkoff funds to help speed research into finding answers around the disease outbreak.
Pigs – they are still there at the show – even more than ever with a record entry of 2,177 hogs from 856 junior exhibitors.
Let’s go inside in the Varied Industries Building and have a look at booths of Bayer…
Alltech…
Hog Slat…
Choice Genetics – the new name of Newsham Choice Genetics and Pen Ar Lan…
Big Dutchman, presenting an air filtration device to keep out PRRS infections…
Génétiporc…
…and Absolute Swine Insemination.
They can’t have complaints about visitor numbers – the organisers expected to reach last year’s attendance of 20,000 from 39 countries. China – as shown on this picture – is one of them.
When moving outside, as usual, large amounts of hospitality tents can be found, like this one of Canadian breeder Genesus.
The Agriculture Building serves as second building next to the Varied Industries Building – no booth exhibition in the Cattle Barn this year.
Some other news: the National Pork Board ‘renamed’ some well-known pork chops and will promote these actively in the market.
Economist Dr Steve Meyer from Paragon Economics expects a good 2014 for producers provided that the weather conditions will be normal as from now on.
And last but not least – something to figure out on the second day of the show…