From the publishers desk,

Greetings all, I am typing this just before heading out camping for the long weekend. The forecast is great so it should be a good time.
I am reminded that a year ago we printed a story on the huge response to the Code of Practice. There were over 4700 comments after the public time ended. Now fast forward a year, the code is in place and producers are planning for their futures. Be it toys to keep the pigs stimulated or renovating an old barn for loose housing.
This year the producers are having to get a grasp on the new traceability program. The hog industry is one for sure that always keeps changing. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.

PED seems to be slowing down with the warmer weather. The U.S. is still reporting many new cases each week but not by the vast amounts as earlier in the year. Canadian producers are continuing to keep tight bio-security. In a recent Alberta Pork telephone town hall meeting 93 per cent of producers who were on the call said within the last year they have made an upgrade or improvement to their farm bio-security and that is very encouraging.

The 40th annual Alberta Pork Congress was in June in Red Deer, a break from all the crazy March storms was a nice treat. I was not in my booth much as I was looking after the Bruce Winkler Memorial Silent Auction again this year, so I am sorry I never had as much opportunity to chat with the producers. Speaking of the auction thanks again to all those businesses, individuals and Colonies who donated all the amazing items. Together we raised $5,372 for the Alberta Cancer Foundation’s Linac MR Machine. And an even bigger thanks to all the producers and industry people who bid on the items and enabled us to raise the money.

Congratulations to the award winners Bernie Peet, Egan Brockhoff and Sunhaven Farms. Each are well-deserved winners in their respective categories. Olymel Reach For the Top Awards were also handed out during the banquet. Some familiar faces along with some new winners too. Mialta Colony won top honours as Grand Champion, Suncrest Colony placed first in High Health, Hughenden Colony #1 top in Food Safety, Scherer Livestock achieved Core Lean, with VFA Pork taking top spot for Core Weight. Every year these award winners are highly anticipated.
Thanks to everyone who have already sent in their photos for the photo contest, although the top three have been selected there is still time to send in photos for consideration for the 2015 Prairie Hog Country Calendar. As always please only send in those that are a positive reflection of our industry. You can email or mail in the original. Check out page 37 for the winners.

Everybody who knows me is aware that I collect pigs of every shape size and colour. Well this past weekend while in a liquor store purchasing beverages, I came across a case of bottled beer. Not necessarily unique but what was unique is the name of it and the labels. Although I have not tried it, I look forward to seeing if it tastes as refreshing as the labels are interesting. It’s called Hop & Hogs Sample Pack by Hog’s Head Brewing Company, stay tuned.

The 2015 release dates will be finalized soonest for those who like me plan ahead, 2015 will be the 19th year for Prairie Hog Country.

As always I am only a phone call or email away. Prairie Hog Country, Box 5536, Leduc, Alberta T9E 2A1, 780.986.0962, fax 780.980.9640 or
email: hogcountry@shaw.ca
Talk to you in October.

–Laurie