Scheduled for June 10, 11 and 12 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, the World Pork Expo, presented by National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), brings pork producers together with allied industries and suppliers to learn about new products that will benefit their pork operations today and into the future. Some 500 exhibitors will display at this year's World Pork Expo.

Educational seminars for producers, facilitated by Environmental Management Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of NPPC, will be held on Thursday and Friday to give producers the science behind the latest facts and best practices of sustainable, environmentally sound pork production.

"Helping pork producers find and use the best information our industry has to offer is a key component of World Pork Expo," says Keith Berry, president of the NPPC. "Sure, it's a lot of fun and there are all kinds of neat things to see and enjoy, but it's also a working show that provides the opportunity for producers to find ways to improve their profitability and brighten the future of pork production in the U.S. and around the world."

Admission for NPPC's World Pork Expo is $8 at the gate or $5 in advance. Tickets are available by calling NPPC at (515) 278-8012. For all the information you need, visit the official World Pork Expo website: www.worldpork.org.

Here's a run-down of some of the events scheduled for the 2004 World Pork Expo, June 10-12, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines, presented by the National Pork Producers Council:

Trade Show featuring more than 500 exhibitors with everything to do with pork production. Open Thursday, June 10, and Friday, June 11, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 12.

World Pork Expo Junior Classic Barrow Show The all new World Pork Expo Junior Classic Barrow Show is open to exhibitors age 21 and under. Sponsored by Iowa Breeders, proceeds not designated for prize money will be directed to Iowa State University Block and Bridle Club.

For full details and printable entry forms visit www.thepigpage.com or click through from www.worldpork.org.

National Swine Registry 2004 World Pork Expo Junior Event An annual event at World Pork Expo, the NSR Junior Event offers a $5,000 top premium.

This show is for purebred animals that are registered Berkshire, Chester White, Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace, Poland China, Spotted or Yorkshire. Registration deadline is April 30, 2004.

For complete information and registration information, visit www.nationalswine.com or click through from www.worldpork.org.

The World Pork Open Golf Outing will be Friday, June 11, at Briarwood Golf Course, Ankeny, Iowa. Check-in at 8:30 a.m., shotgun start at 9:30 a.m. For sign-up information, visit www.worldpork.org.

Educational Seminars 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Cattle Barn Arena Thursday, June 11, and Friday, June 12, presented by Environmental Management Solutions and sponsored by Intervet, Elanco Animal Health, Pfizer Animal Health and Boehringer Ingleheim Vetmedica, Inc.

First Annual World Pork Expo Farm Toy Show and Sale at the John Deere Ag Building at the Iowa State Fair from June 10-12, presented by the National Farm Toy Museum, Dyersville, Iowa.

A special-edition World Pork Expo tractor will be on sale during the show or online. For serious collectors, a very limited supply of serial-numbered tractors are available through NPPC. For more information, visit www.worldpork.org..

Pork Academy will be Wednesday, June 9, at the University Park Holiday in West Des Moines, Iowa. Program is sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health. For more information call the National Pork Board, (800) 456-7675 or register online at www.worldpork.org..

World Pork Open Sporting Clay Shooting Tournament Championship, Thursday, June 10, 2004, beginning at 5 p.m. at the New Pioneer Gun Club, Waukee, Iowa. Five Person Team Shoot-Out. Sign up as a team or individually. Visit www.worldpork.org. for sign-up information.

The check-off sponsored BarBQlossal® contest will line the streets of the fairgrounds with contestants hoping to win $20,000 in prizes. Judging starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 12, with prizes awarded at 4 p.m.

MusicFest will be held Saturday afternoon from noon to 5 p.m. Musical groups include blues guitarist Tony Valdez, Beatles tribute band Broadway Beatles and country singer David Ball.

Cruisin' with the Hogs - Saturday morning, June 11. Don't miss the fun as 150 Harley Davidson Motorcycles arrive at the fairgrounds at 10 a.m. and parade up the grand concourse for judging and awards. If you'd like to cruise along, contact Deb Yount Woods, Iowa Farm Bureau Foundation, (515) 225-5418 or sign up on the www.worldpork.org..

Pig Races will be in the cattle barn for six shows on Thursday, June 10, and Friday, June 11; and five shows on Saturday, June 12.

Valentine's Performing Pigs will have four shows on the Riley Stage on both Thursday and Friday, plus one show Saturday morning.

PigCasso Art Show will be during Trade Show hours in the Cattle Barn.

Source: Porter & Associates - 6th April 2004