World Pork Expo seminars offer latest information

World Pork Expo attendees will have access to leading pork experts and the latest ideas and information at a variety of seminars scheduled for June 8-9.

Included in their expo admission price, pork producers and their staff can participate in more than a dozen educational seminars addressing topics such as business management, production technologies and future developments impacting pork operations. The seminars are just one of many events featured at the 2016 World Pork Expo, brought to you by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), June 8-10 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.

“The expo seminars provide a tremendous opportunity for pork producers running all types and sizes of operations to collect new ideas to take back home,” says John Weber, NPPC president and pork producer from Dysart, Iowa. “Pork producers are continually learning, and these seminars offer forums where producers can ask questions specific to their operations, exchange insights and develop business strategies for the future.”

Business seminars target competitive advantage

This year’s business seminars will present ideas for producers to maximize their competitive advantages from the farrowing house to the global marketplace.

On June 8, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, Hamlet Protein will feature experts in piglet nutrition and gut health discussing the development of the post-weaning gut and how to optimize performance. They will delve into the role of weaning age and the implications of ingredient selection, as well as whole-diet-formulation targets. 

On June 8, from 1 to 2 p.m., and again from 3 to 4 p.m., Tonisity, Inc., will present insights into preparing piglets at birth for a successful, low-stress weaning. Researchers will share on-farm trial results of a new isotonic protein drink that helps suckling pigs stay hydrated, which in turn can decrease pre-weaning mortality, increase weaning weights, improve gut function and digestion, and more.

Completing the business seminar lineup on June 9, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., will host “Join the Race – Maximize Your Competitive Advantage.” Presenters will discuss opportunities in a global market, how to anticipate and respond to changing conditions and how on-farm strategies impact current and future success. 

PORK Academy addresses on-farm issues

Included in Expo’s free seminar lineup is PORK Academy, long valued for providing practical and forward-looking information. Presented by the Pork Checkoff, PORK Academy sessions will take place in the Varied Industries Building throughout June 8-9. This year’s offering will address such timely matters as adapting to upcoming changes in on-farm antibiotic use, preparing for a Common Swine Industry Audit, addressing cybersecurity and much more. 

“Expo seminars provide wonderful insights that pork producers can use to make their operations more productive and efficient, but there are many other things to see and do,” says Sheila Warrick, World Pork Expo general manager. “Expo hosts the world’s largest pork-specific trade show, which has even more exhibit space this year, so producers may want to plan to allow a bit more time to view all the latest innovations.”

Trade show hours run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 8-9, as well as 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 10. Attendees can enjoy free pork lunches all three days of the expo at The Big Grill. The World Pork Expo Junior National hog show begins on Monday, June 6. An open show takes place on Friday, June 10, with breeding stock sales rounding out the week on June 11, from 8 a.m. until they're completed (at approximately noon).