World Pork Expo: The Good Kind of Tired
As I drove onto the Iowa State Fairgrounds for the World Pork Expo, I couldn't help but smile. It felt like coming home. I've attended countless World Pork Expo events over the years, but I know what keeps drawing me back: the people.
The No. 1 comment I repeatedly heard was how much it meant to be together in person again - to look into someone's eyes during a conversation and not through a screen. I'm grateful for the technology we had to keep us connected during the pandemic, but I'm so thankful that the National Pork Producers Council provided this opportunity for the pork industry to gather together in-person.
This year's event was a little different than years past. No pig show. Less international traffic. A smaller crowd. But so many things were better than ever. The crowds lingered longer. The conversations were targeted. In short, business was good.
It was a great way to celebrate the pork industry for Farm Journal's PORK Week. From fascinating conversations on AgriTalk to the live taping of the U.S. Farm Report during the show, the amount of information shared was phenomenal.
Here's a snippet of some of the seminars that were held during World Pork Expo:
5 Take-Aways from an Export Expert: Rupert Claxton isn’t one to mince words. The meat director for Gira International, a consultancy and research firm, shot straight on trade – particularly trade with China.
Who Will Work on Our Farms? Labor ranks as one of the top issues facing U.S. pork producers, says Kerry Scott, program manager for másLabor. In an interactive session, he shared a number of programs that may help producers acquire the help they need.
Top 10 Farm Transition and Estate Planning Mistakes: You spend time implementing best management practices on your farm – shouldn’t you do the same for your succession plan? Melissa O'Rourke with Iowa State University did a great job covering this sensitive but important topic.
5 Steps to the Data Evolution Process: The pork industry is experiencing a revolution in technology, but obstacles to fully using it still exist, says Brandon Osborn with MetaFarms.
Disruption: Technology and Pork Systems in the Future: With more than 60,000 U.S. pork producers raising 115 million pigs/year, U.S. pork plays a significant role feeding the world and changing society for the better. To achieve this, we must not only embrace emerging technology, but accelerate its adoption to bring about transformational changes. Three industry experts shared valuable insights.
One of my favorite parts of PORK Week each year are conversations with different people in the pork industry for our Q&A Series. Here's a quick list if case you missed any this week.
Moving Forward from the Pandemic: 5 Pig Farmers Share What Keeps Them Going
Economists Call Out Game Changers in the Pork Outlook
Behind the Scenes with 5 State Pork Executives
Veterinarians Weigh In On Biggest Challenges Facing Swine Health
Top Tech Takeaways from 5 Pork Industry Leaders
Youth Speak Up About Pork Industry Opportunities
Because we've had so much fun reporting on World Pork Expo and highlighting the pork industry for #PORKWeek21, we've decided to let PORK Week run a little longer, so stay tuned for more stories ahead!
Admittedly, I'm a little tired as I prepare to pack up my bags and head home from the show. But it's the good kind of tired - the tired that means you did something right. The pork industry is one-of-a-kind, filled with some of the very best people in the world. I think that's why I'm leaving here even more excited and energized about what's ahead. Oh sure, the challenges will keep coming. But with this group of innovative, hard-working, thoughtful and wise people, we'll find a way. We always do.
Share your stories and post photos on social media using #PORKWeek21 to help us honor the pork industry. From “AgDay TV” to “AgriTalk” to “U.S. Farm Report” to PorkBusiness.com and everything in between, join us as we acknowledge the most noble profession there is: feeding people.
More from Farm Journal's PORK:
Celebrate #PORKWeek with Farm Journal’s PORK
Is This Year’s PRRS Better or Worse?
Modern Mythbuster: Eric Stonestreet Sets Out to Bust Pig Farming Myths
