As I am typing this the sun is shining and the snow is melting at a rapid pace. Even with our second early snow fall, which has caused havoc for the harvest, I feel very fortunate. Especially with Thanksgiving right around the corner, we have to be so thankful for our blessed lives. We may have snow on the ground, but we have roofs over our heads, food in our bellies, education for our children, freedom to believe and make our own choices. All you have to do is turn on the news for a reality check, flooding in North Carolina, and a tornado in Ottawa.

Listening in on the recent town hall teleconference organized by Alberta Pork, there was some very good information on and about African Swine Fever (ASF). Dr. Jette Christensen from CWSHIN reassured us that one of their mandates is to detect emerging swine health issues early on. The entire country discusses the disease as a whole. Dr. Egan Brockhoff reminded us that Biosecurity is one hundred percent the best tool against ASF. As of right now there is no vaccine or treatment available. Melissa Dumont, from Animal Nutrition Association of Canada (ANAC) reinstates that Biosecurity is the key. Even with feed, knowing where your suppliers are getting their ingredients from, making sure that they are following the Biosecurity guide. Some ingredients do come from China, vitamins, amino acids and minerals to name a few. These are not as high a concern as some organics like soybean meal, which would fall into a higher risk area. Dumont encourages producers, whether you get your feed from a commercial feed mill or make your own on farm, make sure your ingredients are from an approved supplier. Together we must work to keep this disease out, as it is spread by human driven activity.

In a few weeks, from when I am penning this, I will be in Lethbridge for the second installment of Alberta Livestock Expo. Be sure to stop by my booth and say hi. It will be exciting with the Pork Quality and Beef Rib BBQ competitions. Check Pork Chops for a complete list of upcoming shows, seminars and workshops.

I’d like to send a huge thanks to Christopher and Jessica from the Bear and the Flower pig farm for hosting Brenda and I for a farm tour. Walking through the pens amongst the pigs, you can’t help but notice they are happy and healthy as they come up to greet you. As it was a warm day, many of them were playing in their splash park or cuddled in groups having an afternoon snooze. Their free range farm, near Irricana, reminded me of how my grandpa used to raise some of his pigs many years ago. Thanks also for the delicious sausage and bacon that Jessica sent home with me. I look forward to purchasing more of their products at their retail locations. Check their website www.bearandtheflower.com for a complete list of where you can buy their products.

There is only a few weeks left to submit pictures for a chance to be included in the 2019 Prairie Hog Country Calendar. Final deadline to submit pictures is October 31st.

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. •