The 18th annual World Pork Expo offers new events and activities, the best and brightest of the worldwide pork industry and fun for one and all.
The annual event, hosted by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), is June 8-10 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, IA.
An estimated 500 exhibitors will be on hand to display a wide array of products and services.
National Hog Farmer is co-sponsoring, along with NPPC, the show's first Pork Industry Job Fair and Career Center, June 8 and 9 in the Varied Industries Building.
New this year is the Johnsonville Big Taste Grill and Brat Fry from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. Weighing in at 53,000 lb., the Big Taste Grill has the capacity to cook more than 750 brats at a time — approximately 2,500 an hour.
A variety of educational seminars June 8 and 9 will cover successful ileitis control, nutritional strategies to improve intake and gut health, nutritional management in wean-to-finish vs. conventional units and how weaning age influences feeding and management programs.
The Marketing Center will highlight PigChamp benchmarking, marketing and software information at the Varied Industries Building.
New this year, the Environmental Information Center, in the Varied Industries Building, will address updates on federal rules on confined animal feeding operations, new concepts and feeding practices to manage environmental impact, use of phytase in feeding, economics and impact on manure application and air quality issues.
Also new for 2006 is the Animal ID Alley, held all three days of the show in the Cattle Barn. It features the latest in identification practices and products to help producers stay abreast of changes in ID technology.
The Junior National Swine Show is June 8-10 in the Swine Barn, and an eight-breed World Pork Expo Swine Show and Sale is June 9-10 at the Swine Barn and Sheep Barn.
The Great Pork BarbeQlossal features the nation's best bar-b-quers lining the streets of the fairgrounds, competing for a record $39,000 in prize money.
Regular admission to World Pork Expo is $8 at the gate for adults, $5 in advance.
WPX Events and Times
A full slate of events and more can be accessed at www.worldpork.org.
Trade Show
Thursday/Friday 8 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. — noon
Varied Industries Building, Cattle Barn and Outdoors (southwest of Varied Industries Building)
World Pork Expo is the world's largest pork-specific trade show.
Pork Checkoff Activities
Come celebrate 20 years of progress with the Pork Checkoff. Following are a few highlights:
-
Pork producers are invited to the Pork Checkoff Hospitality Tent in front of the Grandstands to learn how their checkoff is working on critical issues. Pork Checkoff staff will be on hand. Enjoy free food and daily prizes.
-
The Pork Checkoff will be releasing: An updated worker safety program in English as well as a new Spanish version;
-
The Production Series distance learning compact disc and the Managers Series distance learning CD;
-
A custom application tool, which will allow producers to customize certain distance learning CDs to fit their operations; and
-
A group of decision tools on CD that combines current distance learning courses and new courses onto one CD.
-
The new Pork Opportunity Cuts. Sampling will take place at the hospitality tent and in front of the BarbeQlossal.
Educational Seminars
Cattle Barn Sales Arena
Free educational seminars will be presented as follows:
Thursday, June 9
10 a.m.: Topics to be determined.
1 p.m.: Successsful Ileitis Control — Don Walter, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.
2 p.m.: Understanding the Role of Co-Factors in Porcine Coronavirus-Related Disease Breaks — John Kolb, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.
Friday, June 10
10 a.m.: Consequences of Insufficient Water and Feed Intake at Weaning — Chad Risley, Feed Additives Division, Lucta USA, Inc.
10:30 a.m.: Nutritional Strategies to Improve Intake, Gut Health and Performance — James E. Pettigrew, University of Illinois.
11 a.m.: Nutritional Management in Wean-to-Finish and Conventional Units — Samuel Baidoo, University of Minnesota.
11:30 a.m.: Weaning Age and How it Influences Feeding and Management Programs — John Patience, Prairie Swine Centre, Saskatoon, Canada.
1 p.m.: To be determined.
Environmental Info Center
Varied Industries Building, Meeting Room D
Thursday, June 9
10 a.m.: Update on CAFO Rules — Tom Hebert, C&M Capitolink, LLC.
11 a.m.: How Does the Conservation Security Program Fit with Pork? — Dennis Pate, Validus.
1 p.m.: New Concepts to Manage the Environmental Impact of Your Operation — Mike Williams, North Carolina State University.
1:45 p.m.: Managing Your Feed Program to Lessen the Environmental Impact — Mike Tokach, Kansas State University.
Friday June 10
9 a.m.: The Use of Phytase in Swine Feed: Economics and Impact on Manure Application to Cropland — Michael Brumm, University of Nebraska.
9:45 a.m.: Sampling Techniques for Measuring Sludge and Nutrient Accumulation in Lagoons — Charles Fulhage, University of Missouri.
10:45 a.m.: Air Quality Issues: Ammonia, Odors and Regulations — Wendy Powers, Iowa State University.
1 p.m.: To be determined.
Pork Industry Job Fair and Career Center
Varied Industries Building, Meeting Room B
Thursday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. to noon
The World Pork Expo Job Fair and Career Center will help applicants find quality job opportunities.
Contests and Competitions
Eight Breed Swine Shows and Sales, Swine and Sheep Barns
Purebred Berkshire, Chester White, Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace, Poland China, Spotted and Yorkshire boars and gilts are featured.
Friday, June 9
Ring A
7:30 a.m.: Yorkshire Show
Followed by Landrace Show
Followed by Duroc Show
Followed by Hampshire Show
Ring B
9 a.m.: Berkshire Show
Followed by Spotted Show
Followed by Chester White Show
Followed by Poland China Show
Saturday, June 10
Ring A
9 a.m.: Yorkshire Sale
Followed by Landrace Sale
Followed by Duroc Sale
Followed by Hampshire Sale
Ring B
10 a.m.: Berkshire Sale
Followed by Spotted Sale
Followed by Chester White Sale
Followed by Poland China Sale
World Pork Expo Junior National Swine Show
Swine Barn
The Junior National Swine Show draws young showmen from across the country.
Wednesday, June 7
2 p.m.: Crossbred Barrow Show
4:30 p.m.: Purebred Barrow Show
Thursday, June 8
Showmanship Contest
1 p.m.: Purebred Gilt Show
Followed by the Crossbred Breeding Gilt Show
Friday June 9
10 a.m.: Swine Judging Contest
18th Annual PigCasso Art Show, Cattle Barn
Cattle Barn, Main Entrance
Pig images in a variety of media will be on display at the PigCasso Art Show. This unique, traditional show features artists from around the country.
Official World Pork Expo
Merchandise Shop, Varied Industries Building, south foyer
Exclusive World Pork Expo apparel and merchandise…for everyone!
International Visitors Center
Cattle Barn
Specially designated area for international visitors to register and find information they need to navigate World Pork Expo.
Animal ID Alley
Cattle Barn
The new Animal ID Alley will feature the latest in identification practices and products to help producers stay ahead of the curve with the issues surrounding traceability and food safety.
World Pork Open Clay Shooting Target Championship
Thursday, June 8, noon
New Pioneer Gun Club, Waukee, IA
This event features a five-person team shootout. To reserve your spot, visit the World Pork Expo Web site www.worldpork.org for a registration form, or call National Pork Producers Council at (515) 278-8012.
11th Annual World Pork Open 2006
Golf Outing
Friday, June 9, 8:30 a.m., registration and free range balls; 9:30 a.m., shotgun start
Briarwood Golf Course, Ankeny, IA
A World Pork Expo favorite! Reservations are being accepted for the first 144 golfers. Cost is a $125 contribution per golfer. Sign up as a foursome or register individually. Registration forms are available at www.worldpork.org.
MusicFest
Friday, June 9, 3-8 p.m.
This year's entertainment will be held on the Grand Concourse, featuring Exile, whose number one hit, “Kiss You All Over,” topped the pop charts in the 1970s. After crossing over to country in the 1980s, Exile charted another 10 number one hits, and continues to be a crowd favorite. Headliners The Grass Roots will perform their long string of hits from the '60s and '70s, including “Midnight Confessions,” “Temptation Eyes” and “Sooner or Later.”
The Great Pork BarbeQlossal
Saturday, June 10, judging starts at 11 a.m.; prizes will be awarded at 3:30 p.m.
Fairgrounds Grand Concourse
Some of the nation's best barbecuers will vie for $39,000 in cash prizes and national competition points. Contestants will bring their custom-made grills and sauces to compete in the categories of whole hog, ribs, loin and shoulder and showmanship.
Pig Races
Thursday/Friday/Saturday, Northeast Corner
Cattle Barn
Racing pigs will hoof around a sawdust track at blazing speeds. Fun for the entire family.
Cruisin' with the Hogs — Iron Warriors
Saturday, June 10
Fairgrounds Grand Concourse
Don't miss the fun as 150 Harley Davidson motorcycles arrive at the fairgrounds and parade up the grand concourse for judging and awards. Cruisin' with the Hogs is a fundraiser for the Iron Warriors of central Iowa, a group comprised of active duty and retired police officers, fire fighters and other public safety officers. The cruise begins at approximately 10 a.m. and takes a 60-mile scenic trip before arriving at World Pork Expo. To join the ride, visit www.worldpork.org for registration information.
World Pork Expo Farm Toy Show
Thursday/Friday/Saturday
Location: Cattle Barn
National Farm Toy Museum, Dyersville, IA, will hold the Third Annual World Pork Expo Farm Toy Show and Sale, featuring the third edition World Pork Expo commemorative toy tractor. Check out more than 100 tables of exhibitors displaying and selling farm toys and memorabilia.