NSR staff, members in Thailand to promote purebred swine

NSR representatives attending VIV Asia 2011 include (l to r): Dr. Clint Schwab, NSR; Mike Lemmon, Whiteshire Hamroc; Dr. Justin Fix, NSR; Max Waldo, Waldo Farms; Harold Hodson, Swine Genetics International; and Tony Clayton, Clayton Agri-Marketing. Also with the group but not pictured is John Mabry of Iowa State University.

U.S. purebred swine genetics are in the international spotlight again – this time at the VIV Asia 2011 trade show in Bangkok, Thailand. NSR Department of Genetic & Technical Services staff Dr. Clint Schwab and Dr. Justin Fix, along with a host of NSR breeders, have been in attendance March 9-11 promoting America’s Best Genetics – the group of U.S. purebred swine breeders that focus on providing genetics for the commercial sector.

Represented on the trade show floor are the NSR; Waldo Farms, DeWitt, Neb.; Whiteshire Hamroc, Albion, Ind.; Shaffer Superior Genetics, Albany, Ind.; Cedar Ridge Farms, Red Bud, Ill.; Compart’s Boar Store, Nicollet, Minn.; Truline Genetics, Richards, Mo.; Swine Genetics International, Cambridge, Iowa; and Clayton Agri-Marketing, Jefferson City, Mo.

This is the tenth time the international VIV Asia agricultural show – a biannual event for the animal protein business from feed to meat – has been held in Bangkok. This year 708 companies from 48 countries are exhibiting, and attendance is expected to match or top 2009 numbers of 21,000 guests.

“This show attracts visitors from all over southeast Asia – this year interest has been strong from Thailand, Malayasia, Vietnam, Philippines, and China as well as South Korea, Japan, and Sri Lanka,” says Fix, NSR genetic programs specialist.

“During our time here we will be meeting with a variety of swine companies from multiple countries with an interest in American purebred genetics, as well as will have meetings with several government groups to ensure the interests of American purebred breeders are being heard,” Fix added.

After the VIV show, Tony Clayton and Justin Fix will travel on to the Philippines to represent the same members of America’s Best Genetics at the 20th Hog Convention and Trade Exhibits in Manila, Philippines.