The 19th annual event will be held June 7-9 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and will feature more than 1,000 swine industry exhibits, numerous educational seminars, several informational centers, a farm toy show and sale, breed shows and sales, lunch at the Big Grill on Thursday and Friday, World Pork Open Golf Tournament and World Pork Open Sporting Clay Tournament.

Dave Moody, president-elect of the Iowa Pork Producers Association and a pork producer from Nevada in Story County, said the state and its producers are fortunate to have the expo call Iowa home.

“Having an international event of this magnitude allows Iowa to showcase the state and the people who live and work here. With Iowa being in the heart of the Midwest and the nation’s top pork producing state, it’s fitting that the event is held in Des Moines,”î he said.

Leah Schomburg, a spokeswoman for the World Pork Expo, said organizers anticipate more than 30,000 people to attend from the U.S. alone, along with guests from approximately 50 international countries. Last year the expo saw slightly more than 31,000 visitors. Moody said every pork producer who is able, should attend.

The chance to network with other producers and exhibitors from around the world is a tremendous opportunity. The industry is ever-changing and producers also can hear about new research that’s being done to improve pig performance, how to enhance their operations and just about anything they need to know about pork production through the many seminars that are offered,î he said.

The popular trade show will run from 8am to 5pm Thursday and Friday, then from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. ID Alley, which will be open the same hours as the trade show, will feature the latest in identification practices and products to help producers get and stay ahead of the curve in the issues surrounding traceability and food safety.

Source: Farm News