UPDATED - Photo Report: World Pork Expo 2014

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea (PED) virus forms a major share of the topics discussed at this year’s edition of World Pork Expo 2014 in Des Moines, IA, United States, held 4-6 June. But there’s lots more going on at Iowa State Fairgrounds as this photo report will show.

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Where to go at this year’s WPX? There is so much to see it’s difficult to decide what to do.
Dutch breeder Topigs and Norwegian breeder Norsvin made the choice easy – they kicked off day one with a press conference announcing their merger, which offers opportunities in the US market.
Some regular press conferences followed – Dallas Hockman, vice president of industry relations, NPPC, explained what the US pork industry is doing to educate food companies to make them more aware of what it takes to produce pork. Without knowledge they are vulnerable to welfarist claims, he said.
Nick Giordano, vice president and counsel, international affairs at NPPC, passionately emphasised that the US is happy to have Japan in Trans Pacific Partnership – but not at any cost. Japanese journalists heard him state that Japan should drop its request to be exempted from tariff elimination.
Then – PED virus. AASV executive director Tom Burkgren released some of the latest figures, saying that towards the summer PEDv outbreaks are likely to drop due to for the virus unfavourable warmer conditions and increased biosecurity. He also mentioned reoccurrences are being observed.
Making your round at World Pork Expo it’s not difficult to see the effect of PED virus everywhere. Nutrition-related solutions are offered…
...artificial insemination companies presenting their views…
…and animal health companies also present their solutions.
One of the major events of the day was the PEDv summit, attracting more people than the room could hold, with various speakers informing the audience about progress made in research and in the field over the last year.
So how about innovations? PigTek had several innovations to show offering more possibilities to swine breeders to specify sow rations, both during farrowing (pictured) and during gestation (in ESF stations). The easy-to-use panels can be installed using a handheld.
Danisco (part of DuPont) launched a next-generation phytase, called Axtra PHY. Introduction in other parts of the world will follow.
In total, about 20,000 visitors from all over the world are expected, and hustle and bustle could be seen anywhere, like in the booth of NutriAd.
Visitors come from all over the world, with plenty of groups from Japan, China, South Korea as well as Mexico. Here visitors from China get explanation about Osborne’s Feed Intake Recording Equipment (FIRE)…
AP Company is hard at work at WPX.
Hog Slat is giving away some presents.
One pig that also attended EuroTier 2012 made it to Big Dutchman’s booth at WPX 2014.
Boehringer Ingelheim wins this year’s Pig Progress Design Award for the most artistic way of shaping a pig.
The show attracted more than 400 exhibitors, making also the Agriculture Building completely full.
And as is common – there is some space for fun. This is about throwing pig-coloured cushions through holes. Not exactly sure what can be won…
The annual National Swine Registry show always presents some distraction.
The threat of PED virus did not keep the contestants at home.
And of course there is plenty of time for some socialising and drinking in the hospitality tents. Thanks to large concrete blocks the Tuesday night storm hadn’t blown away the tents of Zoetis and many others.
Anybody for a pork chop?
Main guest on the second day of World Pork Expo 2014 was US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
He had a small surprise in his pocket as he announced that the United States Department of Agriculture will contribute $26.2 million in funding to fight PED virus. The USDA also issued a federal order for reporting new detections of the virus. Here the press are asking questions to secretary Vilsack.
Purina Animal Nutrition held a symposium titled ‘Influencing Their Future’ – on getting pigs off to the right start. Here Becky Bierlein, young animal specialist at Purina, discusses the tools each producer should have in their toolbox.
The day was closed off with another record – a 315 pound (143 kg) pork burger, sponsored by Hog Slat. Part of it was eaten on-site, the rest is going to food charity.