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
A new vaccine that combats salmonella bacteria that make pigs and turkeys sick has been developed. Vaccines generally offer protection from one type of salmonella but can leave animals vulnerable to infections from other pathogen types. It can also leave unaffected “commensal” organisms — organisms animals carry but do not adversely affect their hosts. Commensal […] Read more
Alberta Pork has launched a new version of its website. In addition to information and recipes for consumers, the website offers answers to questions such as, ‘Why are most pigs raised indoors?’ and whether added hormones are found in pork. It has also numerous resources for producers. This includes information on animal care, traceability, biosecurity, […] Read more
Officials say affected farms in Manitoba had good biosecurity protocols — but following them every day is another matter
Experts say the PEDv outbreak in Manitoba is a warning to livestock producers across the Prairies that biosecurity has to be a 24-7 priority every day of the year. Since late April, the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus has been found on 10 farms in three areas in southeastern Manitoba — and two of those areas […] Read more
Producers rush to acquire non-penetrating bolt stunner after Alberta Pork pilot project
A pilot project promoting a more humane euthanasia device has resulted in its widespread adoption in the Alberta hog sector. “This more humane method of euthanasia is now well accepted and is being used,” said Javier Bahamon, manager of quality assurance with Alberta Pork. “Today, 30 per cent of Alberta’s sow herd is covered. Now […] Read more
Animal welfare concerns about gestation stalls have driven the move to group housing, but researcher says productivity doesn’t have to suffer
While the adoption of group sow housing was driven by consumers, the pork sector isn’t skipping a beat when it comes to making it work. “Through science, we have been able to show that you can achieve comparable, if not better, productivity through the group housing setting,” swine behaviour and welfare scientist Yolande Seddon told […] Read more
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