From the publishers desk,

Good day, as I am typing this once again I find this industry embracing highs and lows at the same time.
On the high or positive side, prices continue to remain solid and according to the recently released USDA hog and pig report breeding numbers rose by over 100,000. Of course that is south of the 49th, however Canadian numbers too have risen.
On the negative or low side, Manitoba is faced with a second case of PED in as many weeks and Western Hog Exchange will be featured on an upcoming episode of W5 with some not so favorable undercover video.
Thanks to Brent Moen from the WHE for a candid interview with Brenda, especially so close to editorial deadlines.
The fall harvest is in full swing and it seems, around here anyway, it will be a decent crop. With harvest dust in the air it means the fall seminars and symposiums are right around the corner. Be sure to look in Pork Chops for all the dates, locations and registration details. Each event will have current topics and great speakers. Take the time to keep informed and learn how together our industry can be stronger.
Thinking ahead to January, Banff Pork Seminar registration is now open.
Pig trace has been up and running for three months, it will give Canadian pork producers a extra competitive edge.
Some of you might remember me chatting up the Linac MR machine being built at the Cross Cancer Institute. I saw the prototype a couple years ago and now the actual machine is complete. This is the machine that all the funds raised from the Bruce Winkler Memorial Silent Auctions have been donated to. I am excited to be invited to an event tomorrow evening, from when I am typing this, to meet with Dr. Gino Fallone and his entire team. The Linac MR machine is the world’s first functional integrated MR-radiation therapy system. It will be able to treat Cancer in real time. As auction chairperson, I have been invited to participate in this special evening. Thanks again for all your help in raising the funds in Bruce’s name for this amazing machine. Bruce was very special to many of us and it was a great way to honour his memory with a machine that might have helped him if built earlier.
I will be in Winnipeg in December for the Prairie Livestock Expo, formally known as Hog & Poultry Days. The show has expanded to include more species. Make sure to come out for the one day show.
There are only a few weeks left to submit pictures for possible selection for the 2015 Prairie Hog Country Calendar. Industry representatives will help choose the pictures that will appear.
I would like to wish each and every one of you a very Happy Thanksgiving, we really do have much to be thankful for. Personally 2014 has been a good year so far. My oldest son who got engaged last year has set a date for next August, my youngest son has been dating a great gal for almost a year and Kelly and I celebrated twenty six years in July. Professionally the hog market is up and I receive encouraging comments from producers constantly that they thoroughly enjoy reading Prairie Hog Country and anxiously await each edition. I am grateful for the people I have been able to meet through PHC.
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 December.