Reading Time: 3 minutes When it comes to biosecurity, all the rules, time, and expense are worth it. And the proof can be seen in the successful effort to keep PEDv (porcine epidemic diarrhea virus) out of Alberta, attendees at the recent Canadian Livestock Transport conference were told. “Everybody in the chain has done their job to prevent PEDv […] Read more
Massive biosecurity effort in hog sector proves its worth
The list of changes is long and no detail was deemed too small in the effort to keep PEDv out of Alberta
Cash advances now available
Reading Time: < 1 minute Cash advances are available for the 2015-16 Advance Payments Program. This year, there are changes to make the program more convenient. The Canadian Canola Growers Association is administering cash advances for 45 commodities, including oilseeds, cereals, pulses, specialty crops, cattle, and hogs. Other changes include the removal of withhold and added flexibility for repaying grain […] Read more
USDA hog report confirms active herd growth as PED fears ease
Reuters — The U.S. hog herd grew seven per cent during the December-February quarter versus the same period last year, a U.S. Department of Agriculture report showed on Friday, reflecting producer profitability and the less-severe porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus, said analysts. Hog farmers willingly expanded their herds after vaccines and tighter biosecurity measures offset […] Read more
A dark cloud with a silver lining for hog producers in 2014
Five to Remember: The threat of PEDv hung over the sector all year, but the virus was kept at bay and strong prices helped heal years of hurt
Reading Time: 3 minutes Back in April, Murray Markert spoke for the entire Alberta pork sector when asked to sum up the mood of producers. “Relief” was the Vulcan farmer’s single-word answer. And that’s a good way to sum up the entire year. Despite a close call in October, the sector was poised to end the year the way […] Read more
Strong hog sector facing uncertain 2015
CNS Canada — Western Canadian hog farmers are facing an uncertain future from a marketing perspective heading into 2015, with a number of factors on both the supply and demand sides of the equation that could swing prices one way or the other. “After a very profitable 2014… we’re at pivot point,” said Tyler Fulton, […] Read more
PED pops back up in southwestern Ontario
A farrow-to-finish hog operation in southwestern Ontario is home to the province’s 64th on-farm case of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), its first such case in almost four months. The farm, in Middlesex County, reported “clinical signs” of the PED virus (PEDv) and submitted samples for testing Monday. Laboratory confirmation was received Tuesday, Ontario Pork said […] Read more
Quebec turns up second case of PEDv in hogs
Quebec has confirmed its second instance of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) in hogs, this time at a feeding operation in the Monteregie district. Biosecurity measures have been ramped up “promptly” at the unnamed farm to avoid the spread of the PED virus (PEDv) to other hog operations, the provincial ag ministry said in a release […] Read more
U.S. groups suing FDA over ractopamine approvals
Chicago | Reuters –– A group of environmental and public health groups sued the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday, seeking to set aside the agency’s approvals for feed additives containing ractopamine that are used to boost the weight of cattle and pigs. The groups, in two related lawsuits filed in federal court, claim […] Read more
Officials at Red Deer hog facility vow animal abuse won’t happen again
Western Hog Exchange chair says he doesn’t like animal rights group’s tactics but says its undercover video will result in ‘very positive changes’
Reading Time: 4 minutes The Western Hog Exchange has one message for the pork industry in the wake of animal abuse allegations at its Red Deer facility. “What we saw is not acceptable,” said Brent Moen, chairman of the farmer-owned exchange. “We’re introducing changes, and we’re taking responsibility for this. And we will make improvements to our process.” An […] Read more
Local food movement continues to soar
Visitors spent an estimated $878 million at farmers’ markets in Alberta in 2012, a jump of more than 50 per cent from four years earlier
Reading Time: 4 minutes Jered Serben never planned to become part of the local food scene, but is glad he is. The fourth-generation farmer grew up on a traditional hog operation, which transitioned to grain and then exited pork production when hog prices plummeted in the early 2000s. But his heart was never in it. “We got into more […] Read more
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