Open sow housing is better for pigs, people, and profits, says Maple Leaf Foods executive
Many questioned whether it would work, but Maple Leaf Foods says open housing is a superior way to raise sows — and will have that system in all of its barns years before it becomes mandatory. “This is part of our vision to be the most sustainable protein company on Earth — part of that […] Read more
The disease is ravaging herds in China and Europe, and could come here through infected feed ingredients
African swine fever hasn’t been found in North America, but pork producers still have reason to be concerned. “If we get it, we cannot control the spread and the whole population will be destroyed by it,” said Javier Bahamon, quality assurance and production manager with Alberta Pork. “Pretty much the whole population of animals needs […] Read more
The bottom fell out of the pork market this summer and Alberta producers are suffering huge losses
Canadian pork producers need “immediate help” from government to deal with a price plunge sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff wars with China and Mexico. “What we’re seeing right now is really bad,” said Darcy Fitzgerald, executive director of Alberta Pork. “And a lot of it has to do with what’s going on with […] Read more
Demand is strong, Canadian packers are short 70,000 hogs weekly, but prices have plunged
A crash in prices — fuelled by Washington’s tariff war — could spell the end for many of Alberta’s dwindling number of hog operations. The sector has already lost half of its hog farms in the past decade and with producers losing $50 on every animal they ship, more are looking at throwing in the […] Read more
It’s not for everyone, says Ben Campbell, but direct marketing is a low-cost route to farming
Although Ben Campbell is a third-generation rancher, he didn’t have an operation he could take over. And when he looked at the math for starting his own ranch, it was worse than ugly — he figured he’d need $3 million in assets to generate an income of $50,000. “I didn’t have enough money to do […] Read more
An isolation crate developed for an Alberta sow farm is one of two winners of this year’s F. X. Aherne Prize for Innovative Pork Production. The prize, named in honour of the late Frank Aherne, a professor of swine nutrition at the University of Alberta, is awarded for innovative solutions to production challenges. Sunterra Farms […] Read more
The 47th Banff Pork Seminar from Jan. 9 to 11 at the Banff Springs Hotel will once again have a “powerhouse program,” says co-chair, Dr. Ruurd Zijlstra of the University of Alberta. It will feature “innovation, latest technology, challenging thinking on the big issues of the day combined with production information that producers can implement […] Read more
Dan Majeau is the new Alberta rep on the Canadian Pork Council, a federation of nine provincial pork industry associations representing 7,000 farms. Among the council’s priority issues are pushing Ottawa to take a leadership role in completing Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations. The organization has also been working the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to resolve issues […] Read more
Entry deadline for F.X. Aherne Prize is Oct. 31
There’s still time to nominate someone for the 2018 F.X. Aherne Prize for Innovative Pork Production. The award recognizes individuals who have developed either original solutions to pork production challenges or found creative uses for known technology. Innovations big or small, complex or simple in areas such as feeding, breeding, ventilation, disease control/prevention, transportation, animal […] Read more
Rather than slaughter recovered pigs, authorities move them to clean barns and then closely monitor them
Manitoba hog producers battling porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) aren’t out of the woods yet — but the situation has shown that biosecurity measures are effective. “We had not had any positive cases since July 14, but yesterday, one infected premises was confirmed positive based on samples collected from pigs,” Manitoba’s acting chief veterinary officer […] Read more
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