The excitement in the room was overpowering. Translators lined the back wall of the large ballroom filled with eager producers and industry leaders. Lively music piped over the loudspeakers. As I grabbed my seat up front, I heard the murmur of multiple languages being spoken at the same time all around me. The lights dimmed in the back and the stage lit up with strobe lights to welcome the first speaker of the event.
Livestock production conferences in Brazil are something else. I was fortunate to accompany my husband when he spoke at a cattle reproduction conference in Uberlandia, Brazil, in 2017. It’s hard to describe the energy and passion that conference radiated. Scientists are held in high regard because producers are hungry for information on how to improve their livestock operations. Let’s just say I slept well on the plane ride back to the U.S.
That energy and passion will be the underlying force for United Pork Americas, a new event Farm Journal recently acquired that will take place April 19-21, 2022, in Orlando, Fla.
What does this have to do with my experience in Brazil? Actually, quite a bit. The event’s CEO, Flavia Roppa, is well known throughout Brazil for organizing and leading some of the best pork, beef and poultry events in the country. We’re excited to have her join our team to bring one of those experiences to the U.S.
There’s no question there are a lot of great conferences out there. United Pork Americas is an additional opportunity we believe fits a unique need in our country. We wanted to create an opportunity that goes beyond a webinar to talk about topics important to the pork industry with an international audience.
You don’t have to look far to know there are plenty of topics to discuss. Stop and consider what’s happened in global food production in the past three years between African swine fever and the COVID-19 pandemic. Our market depends on what happens in all corners of globe. We need to continue to find ways to share ideas and strategize at that global level.
I’m looking forward to listening to leaders from around the world share insights, predictions and wisdom. I’m excited to consider how we can come together to discuss the big issues our industry is facing in a way that fosters new ideas, builds bridges and creates opportunities for growth.
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