Today as I am typing this it is 28˚ and muggy, a storm is forecasted overnight. The farmers are seeding as fast as their tractors will go. Around here it was a very late start till snow melted and many had to deal with left over crops from last year’s early snow fall.
Scary times again as we continue to hear of breaking cases of PEDv in Manitoba. Biosecurity is so important. As a reminder this was sent out recently from Alberta Pork . Please continue your hard work in following these biosecurity standards:
*Make sure all incoming animals are quarantined or thorough vet-to-vet consultation is completed
*Check your entry procedures, and make sure all personnel enter the barn following proper Danish Entry procedures Before reaching your farm all trucks and trailers must be thoroughly:
*Washed *Disinfected *Dried
It is important to note that all producers and farm workers visiting high traffic sites (e.g. abattoirs or assembly yards) should treat those sites as if they were contaminated with PEDv.
Follow proper biosecurity procedures and use disposable boots every time you visit such sites.
On a lighter note, Alberta Pork Congress is right around the corner. Arlene, Brenda and I will be in our usual corner. Be sure to stop by and say hi. The trade show floor is sold out with over flow across from the lunch/BBQ area, this is great news for all the producers who come out to see all suppliers under one roof.
Thanks to so many for taking the time to fill out our annual readership survey, your opinion really does matter. Complete results will be published in the August/September release. The majority that I have looked at so far confirm that we have made the right choice, remaining the only Western Canadian focused publication. It’s important to our valued readers and important to us.
I am excited to share with you there will be a new trade show starting in October. Alberta Livestock Expo, will take place in Lethbridge at Exhibition Park Thursday October 12th. This will be a multi species show encompassing all areas of the livestock industry. The show is the brain child of Chris Tokaruk and Donavan Basarowich.
It must be the time of year to think about trade shows, as last week I chatted with Doug Cramer. For the 8th annual Cramer Ag Expo on February 22nd, 2018 he is expanding. Doug is opening up the Cramer Cup carcass competition for producers in Alberta and Manitoba along with those in Saskatchewan.
It is photo contest time, see the ad on page 49 for more details. Send in your shots for consideration for both the photo contest and the 2018 PHC Calendar. As in past years only photos that are a positive reflection of our industry.
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 August.
