Regulatory changes in antibiotic use, an update on PEDv controls and a focus on how rapid-responding vaccines can be used to combat emerging diseases will be given priority attention during the 2015 World Pork Expo which runs from Wednesday to Friday this week in Des Moines, Iowa.
Due to attract a global audience of 20,000 pork producers and other professionals from 41 different countries, the event includes business and educational seminars, pig showing classes, pork barbecues galore and much more, according to the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) who organise the expo.
With many aspects of the three-day show available for following via the expo website and twitter, the seminar section includes:
- a look at how rapid-responding vaccines can be used for emerging diseases. Swine-health experts from the US and the Philippines join Harrisvaccine researchers to discuss the latest research on RNA particle prescription vaccines and porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDv).
- Veterinarian Lance Fox, who has climbed Mount Everest, will share practical approaches to setting goals, developing actionable plans and empowering employees.
- the United Soybean Board looks at “Biodiesel Works: Fuelling Swine Profitability”. Board speakers will reveal how the use of animal fat in biodiesel has added $150m (£98.5m) in revenue to market-ready pigs, and how the increased demand for soya-based biodiesel affects the supply of soybean meal.
- the event’s “PORK Academy” will feature experts from across the US talking about timely matters like regulatory changes in antibiotic use, a PEDv update and the Common Swine Industry Audit. Other presentations will look at sow lifetime productivity, mitigating seasonal losses and additional management topics.