Bringing Pork Back to the Congress
Article posted on: April 30th, 2012
Bringing Pork back to the Congress
An exciting twist to this year’s Ontario Pork Congress
STRATFORD, Ontario – Along with the latest advances in swine technologies, breeding stock and education; this year at the Ontario Pork Congress (OPC)… there will actually be swine.
This year’s OPC is set to take place on Tuesday June 19 and Wednesday June 20, 2012 at the Rotary Complex in Stratford, Ontario. The OPC planning committees have made the bold move to bring the Junior Barrow Show back to the main event. Adam Rae, President of this year’s OPC explains that in past years, the Junior Barrow Show has been held weeks before the congress, which has resulted in a disconnect between not only the OPC and the youth, but also the OPC and pigs. The live hogs will be onsite on Wednesday June 20th and for biosecurity reasons, they will be housed in a tented facility across the parking lot from the main event.
“Having the Junior Barrow Show weeks before the congress was something that needed to be done at the time due to disease issues, however it meant that many of our youth were not coming to the main show.” says Rae. “It’s part of our mandate to get the kids and pigs back to the show, they’re our future and our livelihood”.
Each year, nearly 2000 producers and industry professionals attend the OPC to learn more about profitability, animal health and current issues. They can see the newest products, services and technologies offered by more than 100 commercial exhibitors. They will have the opportunity to watch junior showmen and swine breeders exhibit some of the best market hogs and breeding animals available, as they compete in the Junior Barrow Competition. Throughout the event there will be plenty of great pork and family entertainment in the social tent area.
“So far the response has been positive.” says Rae. “We are looking forward to our best congress yet”.
The Ontario Pork Congress is Canada’s largest pork-specific trade show. For more information, visit the OPC website: www.porkcongress.on.ca or visit us on Facebook
