WPX 2025: Much more than a pig trade show
On June 4-5, Des Moines, IA, United States was the centre of the pig world as crowds gathered to attend the 2025 edition of the World Pork Expo (WPX). This year’s edition was the best since Covid-19, according to many who attended the event.
World Pork Expo 2025 was more than a trade show – it was a long-awaited reunion under sun-drenched skies at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. With one of the largest crowds since the pandemic, especially on Wednesday, June 4, the atmosphere was electric. Decision-makers, producers, researchers and solution providers gathered in a celebration of progress and resilience. The trade show featured 700 booths and almost 28,000 m2 of exhibit space.
Future of pork production
The show made it abundantly clear that the future of pork production is being shaped by more than just innovation – it is being shaped by the people driving it forward. From engineers rethinking how feed moves through a barn to nutritionists blending traditional knowledge with cutting-edge science, and entrepreneurs designing barnwear that prioritises both form and function, this year’s expo highlighted the diversity of thought and collaboration fuelling the swine industry.
Celebrating culture, mentorship and problem-solving
The expo was not just a venue for showcasing new products, it was a platform for celebrating culture, mentorship and problem-solving. With strong representation from international and family-owned businesses alike, the event underscored the idea that science and sustainability are inextricably linked when combined with purpose.
Whether it was phytogenics replacing synthetic inputs, recirculating augers solving unseen feed outages, or neonatal care carts streamlining piglet survival protocols, WPX 2025 proved that the industry is evolving not only to meet demand, but to meet it smarter, faster and more holistically.
Individual gilt feeder
A big buzz at the fairgrounds centred on Jyga Technologies’ Gestal Select Opti, an innovation for use during boar and gilt selection. It won this year’s 2025 producer’s choice award. The Québec, Canada-based company got the idea for an individual feeding system from a customer. A representative noted, “We already had the gestation and lactation feeders, and someone asked – Why not for finishers?” The RFID performance feeding system, which can be used for animals weighing 20-136 kg, uses Gestal feed curves to enable daily feed blending of multiple diets for each individual animal within the pen. Feed blending allows for seamless diet phase transitions. The system comes with remote control features and real-time movement tracking. Depending on the phase and feeding strategy, ten to 15 animals can do with one unit.
Alternative to choline chloride
At the booth of animal nutrition company Natural Remedies, headquartered in Bangalore, India, the company’s CEO Dr Narender Reddy introduced Kolin Plus. This is a phytogenic alternative to choline chloride. “You only need a fifth of the dosage,” he explained. “It’s more stable, non-hygroscopic, and doesn’t degrade vitamins in premixes.” Trials have shown not just equivalence, but gains in growth and gut health. “We call it science with a soul,” he smiled.
Fat-coated benzoic acid
The product Novus PB also caught attention – a fat-coated benzoic acid designed for controlled release in the intestine. “It works at half the dosage and is showing great results in nursery pigs under E. coli challenges,” said Dr Jesús Alberto Acosta Camargo, global swine research manager at US-based animal nutrition company Novus. The product’s earlier success in Europe is now translating to US systems, with trials underway for sows and finishers.
Biological anti-infectant
Australia’s animal health company Norbrook introduced Cefenil to the US market, this is a bioequivalent to anti-infective antimicrobial agents. Dr Megan Bollin, swine technical service veterinarian, commented, “It’s more affordable and easier to inject,” she noted, and she added that it would be especially critical when treating secondary infections during outbreaks of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS). With a four-day withdrawal time, the product gives producers more flexibility in treatment windows.
