Brandon Hog & Livestock Show
Brandon Hog & Livestock Show, formally known as Hog Days, will be held in December.
The one day show will be at the Keystone Center in Brandon, MB on Thursday December 14th, 2017 from 10 am – 4:30pm.
For details and exhibitor information contact Sunil Kawthekar Ph. 204.726.6482 or Email: Sunil.Kawthekar@gov.mb.ca or online at www.hogdaysbrandon.ca
For details about the Pork Quality Competition contact Ron Bazylo at E: Ron.Bazylo@gov.mb.ca or Ph: 204.572.5282. Cash prizes awarded for top three carcasses. •
Sask Pork AGM
The Sask Pork Annual General Meeting will be held Tuesday, December 19, 2017 from 11:30 – 3:30 p.m.
At Willows Golf & Country Club, 382 Cartwright Street in Saskatoon.
For more information or to register please contact Kim Browne at Sask Pork Email: info@saskpork.com or call 306. 244.7752. •
Banff Pork Seminar 2018
Banff Pork Seminar which will take place January 9 – 11th, 2018 will again be held at the Banff Springs Hotel. The full agenda is up on the Banff Pork Seminar website.
Some key note speaker topic highlights are: When the headline is YOU, Trends in Animal Agriculture, Future of Agriculture and Hog Market Outlook. Accompanied by a varied interest breakout sessions: Mycotoxins, Labour Workshop, Feeding the Grow-Finish Pig, Piglet Management, Newsest Innovation, Sow Lifetime Productivity and Swine Health & Antibiotics. Closing off with I Farming & I Grow it.
On line registration is now open, the conference rate goes up after December 20th.
For full details or more information check the website banffpork.ca or contact Ashely Steeple conference coordinator at 780.492.3651 or email pork@ualberta.ca •
Manitoba Swine Seminar
The annual Manitoba Swine Seminar will take place at the Victoria Inn and Conference Centre adjacent to the airport in Winnipeg. The dates are Wednesday and Thursday February 7th & 8th, 2017.
The theme for the 32nd annual seminar is “Sharing Ideas and Information for Efficient Pork Production.”Featured speakers will focus their presentations on topics such as “precision production and feeding systems, artificial insemination, vaccine management, alternatives to in-feed antibiotics and batch farrowing systems.”
Several renowned experts will be participating in this years seminar including:
Dr. Laurie Connor, University of Manitoba, will discuss the impacts of loose housing on production.
Mark Fynn, Manitoba Pork Council, will deliver a presentation on the new Canadian Excellence Program.
Dr. Charles Stark, Kansas State University, will discuss how to properly calibrate a feed mill.
Peter Chapman, GPS Business Solutions, will present on how grocery stores make retail decisions.
Andrew Dickson, Manitoba Pork Council, will provide an update about the industry in Manitoba and globally.
Dr. John Carr, independent consultant, will discuss batch farrowing and its benefits.
Dr. Neal Matthew, PIC, will discuss how to optimize fat and the finisher pig.
Dr. Joe Schwarcz, McGill University — Science vs. Pseudoscience: How to Avoid Snakeoil Sales Pitches.
Willem Steyn, Topigs Norsvin — Closing the gap : Feeding sows around farrowing
For details or information please contact Dallas Balance at 204.475.8585 or email dallas@goodwinballance.ca •
Cramer Ag Expo
The 8th annual Cramer Ag Expo will be held in Swift Current at Kinetic Park on Thursday February 22nd, 2018.
The coveted Cramer Cup series winners will be announced onsite. The highlight of the day is hog carcass competition all the meat will be donated to charity.
For details on the Cramer Cup series contact Doug Cramer at 306.520.3553. As of press time the trade show is 90% sold out , for details on the trade show contact Kelly Turcotte tradeshow co-ordinator at 306.737.6262 or email kelly_turcotte@hotmail.com •
2018 Livestock Care Conference
The Livestock Care Conference is an annual event that brings together industry experts, stakeholders, and producers to discuss the latest trends and issues in the livestock industry in Alberta.
This year’s conference will be held in Olds, Alberta on March 14 and 15, 2018
Check out the website for more details www.afac.ab.ca •
APC Industry Award Nominations
Now is the time to send in your nominations for the Alberta Pork Congress Industry Awards.
Lifetime Achievement Award (Honours individuals who have played an integral role in advancing the pork industry in Alberta and celebrates their long-term commitment and unwavering dedication to the industry).
Farm Team Award (Recognizes the farm unit which operates in an exemplary manner through commitment and longevity of the staff with virtues of hard work and cooperation, celebrating dedication of the team toward working together for the success of the farm).
Pork Industry Ambassador Award (Honours individuals or companies whose efforts reflect a commitment above and beyond the accepted expectation of the pork industry in Alberta. It recognizes individuals or companies whose actions have become a valuable asset to the pork industry and acknowledges those whose actions have become models for peer recognition).
For more information or to nominate either a individual – team, please contact the Alberta Pork Congress office at 403.244.7821 or Toll Free 1.800.267.9180 or email info@albertaporkcongress.com. Deadline for nominations is February 28th. •
CPC Urges the Government of Canada to Assume Leadership in Striking a Free Trade Agreement with Asia-Pacific Nations
The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) welcomed the opportunity to participate in the Government of Canada’s consultation on trade with Asia-Pacific nations.
Pork producers have been serving international markets for more than 25 years and reach consumers in more than 100 countries. Valued at $3.8 billion, exports represented nearly 70% of Canadian pork production in 2016.
“We urge the Government of Canada to take a leadership role in the TPP-11 negotiations with the intention of completing a deal in the very near term” said Rick Bergmann, Chair of the Canadian Pork Council. “Canada’s pork producers request that the Government of Canada work to ensure a TPP-11 agreement is implemented without jeopardizing the negotiated outcomes on market access that were agreed to in the original TPP agreement,” he added.
Enhanced market access is of critical importance to Canadian producers and government’s efforts to expand economic ties in key Asia-Pacific markets are very much appreciated. The Pacific region is experiencing significant economic growth and is also a region with an evolving need for agricultural products.
The Government of Canada has identified Asia-Pacific as “a priority market” and notes it is working with the current Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) participants to assess alternatives. The value these markets bring to the trade of Canadian pork is key to the expansion of the industry. While Japan is the most lucrative market, there is room to quickly improve Canadian market shares in Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia.
Canada has the capacity and ability to complete this deal so that Canadians can take full advantage of this opportunity while other countries continue to negotiate. However, the status quo is not an option. If a free trade agreement with Asia-Pacific nations is not implemented, Canada will face ongoing erosion of its ability to compete in Japan and other rapidly growing Asian markets.
To read the CPC’s complete submission as part of the consultation on trade with Asia-Pacific Nations, please visit https://www.facebook.com/notes/canadian-pork-council/consultation-on-trade-with-asia-pacific-nations/1970185306582749/ •
Canada Wins TPP Concessions
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Canadian negotiating team were the target of blame for stalling the Trans-Pacific Partnership progress towards a free trade agreement recenlty.
But then, hours later, came news that there is an agreement. Apparently Vietnam and Malaysia gave in to Canadian demands that the deal include protections for workers and the environment.
When the talks were stalemated, New Zealand, Australia and Japan all say it’s Canada that’s out of step. That drew a quick response from the Canadian Meat Council saying it’s disappointed a deal has not been reached. The Canadian Meat Council is keen to gain access to the Japanese market and is drawing attention to the success competitors, such as Australia, have had in gaining better access to Japan’s lucrative meat markets.
Labour and the environment are issues that Canada has raised during the negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement and a number of observers have said that’s not going anywhere fast. •
— By Jim Romahn
FCC Reports see Growth for Canada’s Agriculture Exports
Canada is about to strengthen its position as one of the world’s top agriculture and agri-food trading nations, according to a pair of reports issued by Farm Credit Canada.
Canada was the world’s fifth largest exporter of agriculture and the 11th largest exporter of manufactured food products in 2016, according to the FCC’s trade ranking reports.
The landmark report, released in February, notes that Canadian agriculture already employs 2.1 million workers and accounts for 6.7 per cent of the country’s gross national product (GDP).
Agriculture commodity exports
In 2016, Canada had the world’s fifth highest total export values, behind the United States, China, the Netherlands and Brazil. Canadian operations exported $24.6 billion worth of agricultural commodities, accounting for 6.3 per cent of the world’s total food exports, valued at $461.8 billion (all trade figures are reflected in U.S. dollars).
The top three exporters (United States, China and the Netherlands) together accounted for 35.2 per cent of world agriculture commodity exports in 2016. Canada fell from third in 2012 due to the growing presence of China and Brazil in world markets.
Canada ranked among the world’s top three leaders in no fewer than 11 agricultural export commodities: canola seed, wheat, rye, oats, buckwheat, flax, plants used for perfumery, crustaceans, pulses, fresh fish and bovine animals (includes cattle and bison).
Canada exports several commodities that were both highly-valued global exports in 2016 and among the world’s fastest-growing exports between 2007 and 2016. These were pulses, soybeans, and fresh fish exports.
Manufactured food exports
Canadian businesses exported $19.1 billion worth of manufactured food products, accounting for 3.2 per cent of the world’s total food exports. Although Canada ranks 11th in total food export values, several of its food exports experienced some of the world’s fastest growth over the past decade.
Total global exports of food products reached $602.5 billion in 2016. The Netherlands, the U.S. and Germany were the top exporters, a ranking they’ve maintained since 2010. The three countries together accounted for 24.9 per cent of world food exports in 2016.
Several of Canada’s top-dollar food exports – beef, chocolate, bread, fruit and nuts, and pork – were also among the fastest-growing food exports in the world. Canada may be particularly well-poised to exploit opportunities to grow exports of canola oil, beef, pork, chocolate and bread.
Aside from ranking Canadian agricultural commodity and manufactured food exports, the FCC trade reports examine Canada’s comparative advantage in agriculture and food exports. This reveals sectors for which Canada has an edge over other exporters. •
Leave Market Access Provisions Alone in New TPP11, Agri-food Exporters warn
The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) is warning the federal government not to make changes to the market access provisions that were established in the original Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement during TPP 11 talks taking place recently week in Vietnam.
“We are disturbed by news reports that the Canadian government is looking to make significant changes to a deal that’s already been negotiated,” said Brian Innes, President of CAFTA. “We have a small window of opportunity. Demanding changes to the market access provisions could jeopardize the entire agreement.”
CAFTA has been an avid supporter of the original 12-member TPP agreement – based on the need for Canada to diversify its trade relationships with dynamic Asian markets, many of which are members of the TPP. CAFTA has representatives on the ground in DaNang Vietnam this week given the importance of the agreement to agri-food exporters.
Innes added that the original agreement took years of hard bargaining to achieve a fine balance among competing interests of all participating countries. The agreement by 12 countries is the basis for how it can be implemented with 11 countries. Even small changes to the market access section could throw off that balance, resulting in a collapsed deal.
This situation would leave the thousands of farmers, ranchers and food processors CAFTA represents without access to the lucrative markets represented by the TPP 11. Japan is especially important, accounting for $4 billion in agri-food exports in 2016 and is the third-largest market for Canadian agriculture and agri-food products.
“Ninety per cent of Canadian farmers and about a million jobs in the agri-food sector depend on world markets,” Innes said. “With our competitors already ahead of us in Japan, we can’t afford to lose this agreement.”
Australia, Mexico and Chile already have free trade agreements with Japan and the Japan-EU agreement will slash 85 per cent of Japanese tariffs on European agriculture and food products.
“Staying the course on market access provisions is the best way to ensure we land an agreement that will bring the most economic benefits for our sector and for Canada,” he said. •
Cargill & Diamond V
Cargill, Diamond V to join forces to create leading natural animal health & nutrition business.
Acquisition will accelerate growth and support healthier animals and more wholesome food production
Responding to growing consumer preferences for natural and wholesome food production, Cargill recently announced it has signed a binding agreement to acquire Diamond V, a leading global provider of innovative natural solutions and technologies that improve animal health, animal performance, and food safety. This acquisition, which follows Cargill’s recent investment in Delacon, the global leader in natural, plant-based phytogenic additives, will give Cargill market-leading participation in the $20 billion global animal feed additives market, as well as world-class technical, regulatory and R&D capabilities and go-to-market strength in approximately 70 countries worldwide.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based Diamond V has a 75-year history and global reputation for developing unique, research-proven immune support technologies that work naturally with the biology of the animal to strengthen the immune system and promote a healthy digestive system to enhance animal health, animal performance, and food safety. The purchase will encompass all of Diamond V’s business, including the human health business, Embria Health Sciences, and its branded product EpiCor®. Diamond V’s headquarters will remain in Cedar Rapids and the Diamond V brand will be the platform for future investments in natural solutions for safer animal food production.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in January 2018, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. •
WHO Calls for the Reduction of Antibiotic use in Livestock Farming
The World Health Organization (WHO) raised awareness recently to stop the preventive use of antibiotics in livestock farming.
Although preventive efforts have been made in the Netherlands for years, there are still certain steps to be taken, according to Mark Schippers, owner of MS Schippers. “We must give our farmers the compliments they deserve; with 70 percent reduction since 2009 and the elimination of the preventive use of antibiotics, we’re definitely on the right track, but we’re not there yet. ” •
Genesus Acquires Porc-Ex France and Becomes Genesus SARL
Genesus started collaboration with the Porc-Ex group about a year ago in pursuance to develop the European market. During this past year it became clear it would make sense for Genesus to take over the company in France, including their dedicated team, all in order to give Genesus an even better access to the European market.
Genesus SARL will give Genesus a further base in Europe through which they can create a strong European presence and get closer to the local market and customers. With their existing, successful team in Europe and now having the French team join, they can build a strong Genesus Europe team and keep developing sales and production. Europe has 11 million sows. •
MicroSintesis and Bio Agri Mix Sign Exclusive Agreement
Recently MicroSintesis and Bio Agri Mix have signed a distribution agreement to market a unique Proteobiotic technology for Canadian swine production.
Nuvio is the first product made of protein sources that contain probiotic molecules, termed Proteobiotics, which have been proven in clinical trials to significantly improve producer outcomes when faced with post-weaning diarrhea challenges.
Bacteria use a mechanism called Quorum Sensing that lets them communicate with each other and act as a unified group. This communication process enables bacteria to express virulence factors such as biofilm formation, adhesion, invasion and toxin release. Proteobiotics use a non-antibiotic, anti-infective mode of action that supports the gut’s natural immune defences by stopping the cell-to-cell communication of these bacteria. In recent trials, the product was 86% effective at reducing clinical diarrhea symptoms with statistically significant improvements in weight gain and feed conversion during the trial period.
Initially discovered at the University of Guelph, the development of the product has been a collaborative effort between MicroSintesis and the University of Guelph, and has been independently validated in clinical research studies as well as in a veterinary monitored commercial field trial.
Dr. Robert Bell, CEO of Bio Agri Mix, added, “Over my forty-year career in the animal health industry, I have witnessed the launch of a handful of revolutionary technologies; endectocides, prostaglandins and long-lasting time dependent antimicrobials, and there is no doubt Nuvio is in the same league with these game-changing products, particularly when the animal health industry is tasked with ensuring prudent antimicrobial use and reduced antimicrobial resistance. Nuvio has been proven to be clinically effective in conventional swine systems and will fill a unique void for “raised without antimicrobial” swine production.”
“MicroSintesis is delighted to have partnered with Bio Agri Mix on the commercialization of this technology. Bio Agri Mix has a proven track record not only in marketing water solubles, but has a strong commitment to leading the way through the changing antimicrobial-use regulations.” said Hannah McIver, CEO of MicroSintesis.
Nuvio is administered in the drinking water for the first 14 days post-weaning. It will be available through veterinarians and feed companies beginning October 2017. •
