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International group tours IL pork operations ahead of WPX

A group of 40 international pork producers is touring segments of the Illinois pork supply chain with hopes of sparking ideas to improve their home operations.

Bobby Dowson with the Illinois Department of Agriculture says the tour, hosted by the department, is designed to promote export sales for the Illinois pork industry.

He tells Brownfield it has been beneficial to both the participants and the hosts.  “We’ve had about $13.5-billion in sales from this tour over the past 20 years,” he says.  “But these producers are really interested in technology.  Anything and all things that would make their operations better back home.”

The group stopped at GSI’s Automated Production Systems manufacturing plant in Taylorville, Illinois to learn more about the advances in pork production equipment.  Brian Brown, who manages the plant, says the group was really interested in the technology available.  “They’re very inquisitive about what the application is,” he says.  “And how it can benefit their country.”

The group also has stops planned at the University of Illinois, the Chicago Board of Trade, and other operations before finishing up at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa this week.

AUDIO: Bobby Dowson, Illinois Department of Ag