Source: Dani Friedland, MEATINGPLACE, 12/23/11

When the 2012 Pennsylvania Farm Show kicks off in early January, it will feature a large exhibit of modern livestock production techniques.

The 10,000-square-foot “Today’s Agriculture” exhibit will show the public farm animals in typical commercial production settings. A crated sow with her litter, nursery pigs, finishing floor pigs, broiler chickens, caged layer hens, ducks, turkeys, feedlot steers, dairy cows and veal calves are all part of the exhibit.

"By showing the public our production practices, we hope to eliminate the biggest argument anti-agriculture groups have today — that we won't allow the public to see how their food is produced," Christian Herr, executive vice president of PennAg Industries Association, said in a statement. "We're excited to open our doors, let people look around and answer their questions."

The exhibit will also include plots of soybeans and corn at various stages of growth, along with farm equipment.

The Farm Show will run Jan. 7 to 14 in Harrisburg, Penn. PennAg Industries Association coordinated the “Today’s Agriculture” exhibit, on behalf of the Pennsylvania Alliance for Livestock Care and Well-Being and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

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