Motion blur in the view from above reveals who’s on the move and who’s taking it easy.

Any notion that 43 years is getting a little long in the tooth gains little if any traction from organizers and exhibitors at Alberta Pork Congress, held in Red Deer on June 14 and 15.

This year’s edition was remarkable in many ways, including the buoyant mood among exhibitors and attendees as well as the almost startling number of new exhibitors who booked every space available for the show.

What a change from not so long ago, when producers were farming their equity

Kim Nielsen, executive director of Ag Advance, poses with Johnni Pedersen, the Danish innovator who developed the sanitation system for barn use.

and struggling to make ends meet, exhibitors were questioning the value of attending trade shows and organizers were wondering if they should just shut it down or amalgamate with other livestock groups to meet expenses.

With stronger prices and a brighter future in sight, the 2018 edition has been getting thumbs up all around, from the Swine and Cheese mixer on the night before to the Almost Famous barbecue at the end of the second day, President Nick Korver said after it was all over.

There is no question that Pork Congress’s fortunes swing on the health of Western Canada’s swine producers, who are in better shape this year and finally able to look at renovations and expansions – good news for the suppliers and service providers who are in business with them, said Korver.

“Overall, when the producers are making money, it’s like anything else, it’s just a domino effect. Everyone else benefits from how the producers are doing.”

He said the organizing committee and ConventionALL staff have no idea how many producers attended the

Steve Laycock and Nick Korver take a break from serving bevvies at the “Almost famous” windup barbecue.

show, since there is no charge for admission and no formal head count at the door. He estimated that attendance was probably close to average.

On the exhibitor side, however, there was a strong surge in the number of companies attending for the first time, particularly from south of the border.

“We’ve seen a real increase in companies coming in from the United States. I think there’s getting to be more companies that are providing specialty type products . . . and the equipment companies, too, coming with their latest equipment.”

He said there has been stiff but friendly competition, in keeping with what organizers see in the industry in general.

Producers who had held tight to their wallets are now coming forward and spending money on renovations and other improvements that they were unable to afford when profit margins were thin – or worse.

In stark contrast with the 42nd-annual Pork Congress, this year’s edition was graced with visits from two dignitaries, with both the Mayor of Red Deer and Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry accepting invitations to attend the annual awards banquet.

Mayor Tara Veer took the podium first, bringing greetings from city council and regaling the crowd with the story of her first visit to Pork Congress.

“I was five years old, a born and raised Red Deerian. When I knew I was coming tonight, I managed – it must have meant a lot to me – I managed to find my Pork Congress pin that I had as a five-year-old. We’ve come full circle tonight, so thank you for the opportunity to join you,” she said.

Red Deerians know full well the critical role the pork industry plays, as one of the city’s three largest employers, in ensuring a thriving local economy and in building its community.

“I would also like to thank the leadership and the membership and all pork producers and suppliers at the Pork Congress for choosing our Red Deer as your host community and giving us all the occasion to reflect on the critical importance of your service and your contributions to our local, our provincial, our national and even our international economy, and for your critical role in ensuring global food security for all.”

Veer commended and thanked the industry for meeting and exceeding the challenges it faces and for its contribution to the local and national economies.

“The pork industry remains a strong part of our national pride, as Canadian bacon remains and always will remain as synonymous with our national identity as hockey and Tim Horton’s.”

She then passed the baton to Oneil Carlier, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and deputy house leader for the provincial government.

“Alberta’s bustling pork industry is a foundation of our economy, culture and heritage,” said Carlier in his address.

He described the delegates in the room as critical players, along with others not in attendance, in helping the industry survive and thrive.

Carlier described recent trade visits to India and Argentina, which he believes are new and growing markets for Alberta’s pork exports. He also acknowledged challenges, including efforts to keep PEDv from crossing into Alberta.

Carlier went on to invite participants to provide feedback to a survey that will direct agriculture policy in Alberta when Growing Forward 2 wraps up at the end of next year.

“Hearing from industry is crucial to ensuring the framework will be of maximum benefit to Alberta’s agri-producers and businesses, so we can continue to build on the tremendous opportunities there are in agriculture in Alberta,” said Carlier.

Recapping the annual show a few weeks later, Korver said there was some grumbling from very few attendees who would like it moved back to March. But the consensus for now is that the show will continue in June, when the weather is much more pleasant and highway travel much safer.

Exact dates for the 2018 show have not been set, although it will most likely be held during the second week in June. •

— By Brenda Kossowan