AGRICULTURE: Iowa Goes Hog Wild

The folks in Des Moines pigged out last week, quite literally. An estimated 35,000 people gathered at the Iowa State Fairgrounds for “The Great Pork BarbeQlossal,” and in a single day consumed 13 tons of barbecued pork served by 100 amateur and professional barbecue cooks who were competing for more than $20,000 in prizes.

The feast kicked off the first World Pork Expo trade show, organized by the National Pork Producers Council as part of a campaign to boost pork’s popularity. Last year U.S. pork consumption was up only 1.6%, to 7.5 million tons, compared with chicken’s 9% rise, to 9.5 million tons. Nonetheless, the producers were encouraged by the BarbeQlossal turnout. They say the feast will make the Guinness Book of World Records. The category: “Largest Single-Day Barbecue Serving.”