Alberta Livestock Expo
The third annual Alberta Livestock Expo will take place at Exhibition Park in Lethbridge October 9 & 10.
This year the trade show has a expanded floor plan. In addition to trade show on Wednesday October 9th there will be a Pork Rib BBQ Competition. Then on Thursday October 10th a Hog Carcass Competition.
As of press time booths are 85% sold.
Full details plus online bookings and sponsorship opportunities are available on the website albertalivestockexpo.com or by contacting Lisa Doyle Exhibition Manager at 403.305.1563 or at
lisa@vibrabteventmanagement.ca •
Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop
The annual Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop will be held in Red Deer Wednesday October 23rd returning to the Parkland Pavillion at Westerner Park.
The full agenda and online registration is available on the albertapork.com website.
Early registration prior to September 30th, $90/ guest or $400 for five guests. After September 30th $110/guest.
For booth bookings, sponsorship options or any questions contact Charlotte Shipp at 780.491.3528 or
charlotte.shipp@albertapork.com . •
Alberta Pork Congress AGM
The Alberta Pork Congress Annual General Meeting will be held in conjunction with Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop, as a meeting prior to start of Swine Tech, Wednesday September 23rd.
This will be the first opportunity to book your booth for the 2020 Alberta Pork Congress. Watch your inbox and the October issue for more information. •
Aherne Awards
Do you know of an innovator who should be recognized? Someone who has developed an original solution to answer a pork production challenge? Or found a creative use of a known technology?
The Banff Pork Seminar is proud to offer a chance for you to “strut your stuff” as a technology innovator and show the rest of us how to put it into practice!
The Dr. FX Aherne Prize for Innovative Pork Production recognizes innovators involved in the pork industry who are making a difference by applying new technologies or management techniques.
Innovators can win valuable prizes and free registration to the 2020 Banff Pork Seminar, January 7-9; you’ll be recognized by your peers and the pork industry and have a chance to present your solution at the 2020 Banff Pork Seminar.
Please nominate yourself, or apply on behalf of an innovator that deserves to be recognized. Help us to find these innovators and encourage them to apply for the Dr. FX Aherne Prize for Innovative Pork Production.
Specifically, we are looking for innovators who are capable of taking a new research concept, a technology, or even a management concept and apply it successfully in the production of pork. Innovations may be related to, but are not limited to, one of the following areas: Productivity, Profitability, Working Conditions, Animal Well Being, Reduced Environmental Impact, Pork Quality and Safety.
Anyone who has developed a solution to a pork production challenge may enter. Innovations must be relevant to North American pork production but do not necessarily have to be currently in use in Canada at the time of application.
Application and more information will be available online at www.banffpork.ca. Applications must be received by October 31, 2019. Apply today! Please contact Conference Coordinator Ashely Steele at
pork@ualberta.ca with questions. •
Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium
The annual Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium will take place November 12 & 13 at the Saskatoon Inn.
The Saskatoon Inn & Conference Centre, is offering a reduced conference rate. The room block is now if effect when reserving mention the Symposium to receive the reduced rate 306.242.1440.
For additional information on Symposium contact the Symposium Co ordinator at 306.343.3506 or email info@saskpork.com. Full program registration ad sponsorship will be available on line in mid August at www.saskpork.com •
Alberta Pork AGM
Mark your calendars for the Alberta Pork 50th anniversary AGM November 21st, taking place in Calgary. Location and more details in future issues. •
Brandon Hog & Livestock Expo
The Brandon Hog & Livestock Expo will be held at Keystone Centre Wednesday December 11th.
The one day show will take place from 10 – 4, featuring the Pork Quality Competition to wrap up the day. Online registration now open at the website hogdaysbrandon.com
For more details and information on the trade show contact For more information contact:
Rhonda Coupland Ph. 204.534.6381
Email: info@hogdaysbrandon.com
For details on or about the Pork Quality Competition contact Ron Bazylo
204.572.5282 or email Ron.Bazylo@gov.mb.ca •
Banff Pork Seminar
Banff Pork Seminar will take place at the Banff Springs Hotel January 7th – 9th , 2020
The committee is already working hard on planning the next instalment at the Castle in the Rockies.
Some of the breakout sessions will be: Environment, Litigation, Liability; Activism & Liability; Feeding the Grow-Finish Pig & Managing Their Increasing Carcass Weights; Feeding Nursery Pigs Without Dietary Antibiotics; Novel Advances in Vaccine Development; Vaccines in Practices; Key Aspects for Capturing Reproductive & Sow Lifetime Productivity; Factors involved in Sow Mortality; The Natural Disease Challenge Model for Evaluating Resilience; Phenotypes & the Genomic Approach; Microbiome & Resilience; Precision Livestock Ecosystems; Individual Pig Activity; EveryPig – a Better Way to Manage Pig Health; ASF – How Do We Ensure Business Continuity Through Prevention; Planning for First 48 and Financial Planning.
While a few of the feature keynote topics are: Separating Fact from Fiction; The Alternative Protein Movement; Global Markets & Trade and Disease in Global World. Followed by a closing Plenary session on Wild Boars in Canada.
Watch future issues for further information. Online registration will start in September.
A block of rooms are available at the Banff Springs Hotel for BPS2020 starting at $153/night plus taxes and fees for single occupancy. Space is limited so book early. Must book by December 1, 2019 to receive the special conference rates (while space is available). Reservations can be made through the Banff Pork Seminar website.
Latest updates are found on the website, banffpork.ca
For more information contact Ashley Steeple, Conference Coordinator, PH: 780.492.3651 or
Email: pork@ualberta.ca •
Cramer Ag Expo
Mark Thursday February 13th, 2020 down for the 10th annual Cramer Expo in Swift Current, SK. The one day show will be held at the Kinetic Exhibition Park, featuring a trade show, door prizes, silent and live auction and of course the Cramer Cup series.
Registration now open. Check the website for downloadable form at
www.cramereventmanagement.com
A block of guest rooms will be held at the Days Inn (formally BW) 105 George St W, Swift Current, SK until Feb 1st, so reserve early, call 306.773.4660. Please inform front desk that you are attending Cramer Ag Expo.
Please contact Kelly Turcotte trade show co ordinator at 306. 737.6262 or email kelly_turcotte@hotmail.com. For questions about Cramer Cup Series contact Doug Cramer at 306.520.3553 or email
cramerexpomgmt@gmail.com •
Pork Industry Gets $6 Million
Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau was at the Ontario Pork board head office in Guelph recently to announce up to $6 million for Canada Pork International to seek export markets.
“This funding will help the (pork) sector to strengthen its knowledge of market opportunities, enhance promotional efforts, increase contact with potential buyers and grow market opportunities for chilled pork exports,” the government news release said. •
— By Jim Romahn
Canadian Pork Exports to China Temporarily
Suspended by CFIA as a Precaution
Announced on June 25, 2019 in Ottawa, Canadian pork producers were informed today that China will no longer be accepting Canadian pork products due to concerns regarding the validity of an export certificate. As a result, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has stopped issuing export certificates to China for all pork and beef products as of June 25, 2019. This halt in Canadian exports is not the result of a food safety concern but the misuse of Canada’s reputation as a supplier of safe quality products.
China is a very important market for Canadian producers. In 2018, Canada’s pork exports were valued at almost $4 billion, of which $514 million was exported to China it is our third-largest export market. Sales in 2019 have increased by 50% over 2018 levels and this increased demand was reflected in higher prices for live hogs.
The Canadian Pork Council, Canadian Meat Council and Canada Pork International, are working closely with government officials to better understand the situation and identify potential next steps. We are aware that Canadian government officials have been in contact with their Chinese counterparts and are hopeful this will lead to a quick resolution.
Demand for pork products remains strong in China and Canada producers look forward to having the opportunity to continue to meet the needs of our Chinese customers. •
CFIA Runs ASF Simulation Exercise
On June 18, CFIA’s Quebec and Western areas hosted ASF preparation exercises involving provincial partners and other stakeholders. These exercises are key to coordinating activities in the event that ASF is reported in Canada.
It was stressed that ASF has never been in Canada and it is through activities such as the June 18 exercises that we are making concerted efforts to keep it that way.
Dr. Jaspinder Komal, Chief Veterinary Officer for Canada Canadian Food Inspection Agency also recognizes that our country must be fully prepared for all scenarios, so a key element of our work together focuses on preparedness.
More than 30 government and industry representatives met in Winnipeg, MB, to discuss potential issues and challenges if ASF is reported in Western Canada.
Pork producers, processors and organizations such as the Animal Welfare Council of Canada and PigTrace joined with CFIA, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and provincial CVOs in the day-long meeting. Discussions focused on:
• organizing a multi-province Incident Command Structure (ICS) to respond to an ASF outbreak
• planning for destruction and disposal of pigs for disease control and market purposes
• monitoring interprovincial and export movement of pigs at various stages of production
• using zoning and compartmentalization for disease response and eradication
The exercise resulted in important steps forward. Participants committed to creating a formal ICS and to forming a steering committee consisting of federal, provincial and industry partners. The committee will identify planning gaps and work out a joint Emergency Operations Centre structure. •
Canadian Pork Producers Welcome Federal Funding for Meat Sector
Canadian pork producers welcomed the funding allocated to the Canadian Meat Council on behalf of the Canadian meat industry announced in early June by Member of Parliament Chris Bittle.
“The Canadian Pork Council would like to thank the federal government and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for the AgriMarketing funding that will allow us to further build relationships encouraging trade, diversifying markets and removing barriers” said Rick Bergmann, Canadian Pork Council Chair.
Along with the Canadian Meat Council and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, the Canadian Pork Council will benefit from the funds allocated by the federal government in the development and participation in international missions and activities for better trade access and policy development.
International trade and access to key markets are of utmost importance to Canadian pork producers as 70% of production is exported. In turn, trade supports 103,000 Canadian jobs and $23.8 billion dollars in economic activity for the country. •
Bibeau Offered China Better Export Controls
Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said Canada offered China improved export controls, but would not say what the offer is when she was quizzed by reporters recently in Montreal.
She met reporters after meeting with beef and pork industry leaders who are anxious because China has suspended imports of all Canadian pork and beef after 188 fake export certificates for pork were identified.
Trade Minister Jim Carr also attended and they both emphasized that Canadian meat is safe.
It’s not clear where those export certificates were found or whether it was in China or Canada or by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. • — By Jim Romahn
Philbro’s Working on an ASF Vaccine
Phibro Animal Health Corporation of New Jersey said it will seek patents for its early-stages research to develop a vaccine against African Swine Fever.
It’s approach involves the identification of immunogenic epitopes and proteins that show strong potential to form the basis for a vaccine against the devastating disease that has wiped out about half of China’s pigs and about a quarter of those in Viet Nam.
Phibro said it hopes to create a specific epitope-based vaccine rather than following the more conventional path of an attenuated live vaccine.
If successful, Phibro said this approach would not only be effective, but also safer than a live vaccine which might spread the disease. • — By Jim Romahn
Chinese Leaders Admit ASF Errors
China’s rulers have admitted there have been mistakes in trying to stop the spread of African Swine Fever.
For example, the State Council said protocols for transporting hogs were not strict enough and the government lacked enough capacity to test for the disease among hogs delivered to packing plants. The State Council now says the nation needs to rebuild hog production capacity by encouraging large-scale farming. It will offer subsidies.
China has reported 120 outbreaks since the first one last August and there are unofficial estimates that half of the nation’s sow herd has been wiped out either by the disease or by disease-prevention culling. China had the world’s largest hog population. •
— By Jim Romahn
Topigs Norsvin Announces new Meat Scientist
Topigs Norsvin is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Dustin Boler as Meat Scientist. Dr. Boler’s responsibilities will encompass research and development activities, sales and marketing support, customer technical service, and allied industry support. His focus will be on the North American market.
Dr. Boler brings his global experience, knowledge, and expertise to Topigs Norsvin. His ‘farm-to-plate’ approach to meat science and pork production has been well-received in the USA and around the world and will strengthen the position of Topigs Norsvin as innovative partner for the whole pork production chain including pork quality on the customer level.
Previously, Dr. Boler was Associate Professor in the Meat Science Laboratory at the University of Illinois. His research activities focused on fresh and processed meat quality of pork, beef, and poultry.
Dustin interacted with various industry partners to evaluate the effects of on-farm practices on carcass characteristics, cutability, and quality.
Additionally, he investigated further processed meat quality, especially issues relating to fat quality & bacon production. •
Genesus Producers Achieve Top Numbers
The following is a list of the Genesus customers that exceeded 25 pigs per mated female in the 2018 calendar year.
Rosedale Colony AB 31.95; Midway Colony 31.41; Big Bend Farming Co. 31.17; Camrose Colony MT 30.82; Hartland Colony MT 30.78; Baker Farming Co. LTD AB 30.75; Fairlane Farming Co. Ltd. AB 30.58; Silver Creek / Illini Farms30.39; Bluegrass Colony Farming Co. Ltd. AB 30.29; Miami Colony – Barn 2 30.26; Valley View 30.17; Riverview Colony 30.09; Hutterville Farming Co. Ltd. 29.78; Suncrest Colony Ltd. 29.30; Rockport Colony 29.15; Little Bow Colony (AB) 29.10; Newport South 29.09; Cool Springs Colony MT 29.08; Milltown (MB) 29.04; Clearfield Colony 28.93; Hancock Pro Pork 28.90; Hooter Lane Farms Inc 28.80; Norquay Colony (MB) 28.76; Brant Farming Co. Ltd (AB) 28.69; Rom-Ark Pork Ltd. 28.65; Camrose Colony (AB) 28.54; Neudorf Colony Farming Co. Ltd. AB 28.43; Woodlands (MB) 28.33; Newell Farming 28.30; Green Acres 28.02; Gadsby Farming Co. Ltd. (north) 27.98; Cascade Colony MT 27.93; Poplar Point Colony 27.90; JWV PORK LTD. (LM) 27.70; Clearview Farming 27.62; Spring Point Colony 27.43; Prairie Home Colony 27.42; Seville Colony MT 27.29; Shady Lane Colony 27.24; Rimrock Colony 27.23; Kingsland Farming 27.16; Elmspring Farming Co. Ltd. AB 27.16; Starbrite Farming Co. (AB) 26.80; Grassland Colony (US) 26.79; Gadsby Farming Co. Ltd.(south) 26.78; Sunset Colony 26.76; Maxwell Colony 26.72; Brantwood Hogs 26.71; C Spring Farming Co. 26.70; SON D FARMS 26.70; Sunny Site Colony Farming Co 26.68; Springwater Colony 26.68; Lakeview Swine Farm 26.62; Miami Colony – Barn 1 26.54; Neu Muehl 26.20; JWV PORK LTD. (WR) 26.20; Clearwater Colony 25.89; Sky Light Colony 25.76; Rock Lake 25.53; Hidden Lake Colony 25.53; JWV PORK LTD. (LR) 25.50; H E Trettin Inc. 25.30 and Fairholme Colony (MB) 25.02.
Congratulations to all of these Genesus Genetics customers. •
Slovakia Has ASF Outbreak
African Swine Fever has claimed a small herd of four pigs in Slovakia, near the border with Hungary.
The government has imposed a quarantine zone inside which pigs are being culled.
It has also implemented biosecurity measures, such as travel restrictions. It is the first case in the country. • — By Jim Romahn
Shrink by 50% ?
China’s pig herd could halve by the end of 2019 from a year earlier, analysts at Dutch bank Rabobank forecast recently.
The forecast comes amid industry speculation that the decline has been much worse than confirmed by agriculture officials, who this month launched an investigation of local authorities’ efforts to contain the disease. Production may take more than 5 years to recover to levels prior to the deadly outbreaks as challenges including a lack of solutions to prevent the disease and a lack of capital will restrict restocking, Rabobank added. •
CFIA Officially
Documents Canada’s Historical Freedom From ASF
Announced July 24th in Ottawa, the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) for Canada, Dr. Jaspinder Komal, issued the following statement about an important step to communicate our preparedness for African swine fever (ASF):
“Canada is free of ASF and has never had a reported case of this devastating disease.
In the current global environment where ASF is spreading in some countries, we believe it is important, for reasons of transparency and accountability, that Canada follows an internationally recognized process for declaring and documenting that our country is free of ASF.
Accordingly, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) submitted a dossier entitled “Self-declaration of historical freedom from African swine fever by Canada” to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) for publication on their website.
The document attests that Canada is and has been historically free of ASF and systematically describes the evidence to support this declaration in compliance with the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code.
The OIE has accepted the self-declaration and posted it on its website as a means to sharing this information with a worldwide audience.
The published “Self-declaration of historical freedom from African swine fever by Canada” attests to these key points:
• since 1991, ASF has been included in the list of reportable animal health diseases in Canada
• ASF has never been reported in the country
• an early warning system has been and continues to be in place for all species susceptible to ASF
• a disease surveillance system involving front-line veterinarians has been and continues to be in place for domestic pigs and captive wild pigs
• ASF is not known to be established in wildlife
• pigs and pig commodities are imported into Canada in compliance with OIE standards.
I would like to point out that the OIE does not endorse self-declaration statements. However, it does carry out an administrative and technical screening of these documents in accordance with its own standard operating procedures for self-declarations.
On behalf of Canadians, CFIA is working internationally with foreign governments and domestically with government partners, industry and other stakeholders to mitigate and prevent the entry of ASF into Canada.” •
