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 Rhonda Coupland , trade show co ordinator at 204.534.6381 or 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.
Online registration now open. $360 Full registration November 16-December 20th, $410 Late registration December 21st- conference starting. Check banffpork.ca for all the details.
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•
Manitoba Swine Seminar
The annual Manitoba Swine Seminar will take place at the Victoria Inn and Conference Centre adjacent to the Winnipeg International Airport. The dates are Wednesday and Thursday February 5 & 6, 2020.
The theme for this years seminar is “Sharing Ideas and Information for Efficient Pork Production.”
The Manitoba Swine Seminar will again host a series of presentations that provide useful information for anyone associated with the pork production business and present ways that each participant can contribute to the long-term sustainability of the pig industry.
For more information, please contact: Dallas Ballance, Conference Manager T: 204. 475.8585 E: Dallas@goodwinballance.ca •
Cramer Ag Expo
Mark Thursday February 13th, 2020 down for the 10th annual sold out 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.
Trade Show is Sold Out, contact Kelly to be placed on a waiting list. 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 •
Alberta Livestock Care Conference
The annual Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) Livestock Care Conference will take place in Olds March 18th & 19th, 2020. More details in future issues. •
MPC Annual General Meeting
The 2020 Manitoba Pork Council Annual General Meeting will take place at the Fairmont Winnipeg Wednesday March 25th. •
Montana Livestock Expo
The Montana Livestock Expo presented by Friesen Nutrition will take place in Great Falls MT Thursday April 16th, 2020. For more information or to book booths see website cramereventmanagement.com •
Canadian Pork
Industry Looking to Maximize Reopening of China Market
As released on November 12, 2019 Shanghai Representatives of the Canadian red meat industry were in China recently to continue to build on decades of strong relationship and trade between the two countries.
This mission is timely; the Chinese market was reopened to Canadian pork only last week, following a 4-month suspension. “During our visit a few weeks back, we heard clearly that we needed to strengthen our relationship with our Chinese customers” explains Rick Bergmann, Canadian Pork Council Chair. “Activities such as this mission will serve to do just that but will also allow us to thank Chinese officials for their trust and confidence in reopening the market for us,” he added.
In addition to meetings in Shanghai, the delegation is set to travel to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing and Tianjin before concluding their trip. They will be meeting with members of the Canada-China Business Council, Import and Export Food Safety Bureau officials, food importers, retailers, Canadian trade representatives and Canadian consulates.
“Every time I travel to China and meet with our customers and partners, I gain a better understanding of the market, and that informs the decisions we make back in Canada” explained Hans Kristensen, CPC First Vice-Chair. Participants from the Canadian Pork Council, the Canadian Meat Council, Canada Pork International and others will also meet Ambassador Barton. “We look forward to working with Mr. Barton to grow the Canadian pork exports to China and further improve relations,” added Mr. Kristensen.
In 2018, Canada’s pork exports totalled almost $4 billion, of which $514 million was exported to China, making it Canada’s third-largest export market. It should be noted that the Canadian pork industry was on pace to double its 2018 sales in 2019 prior to the temporary suspension. Canada expects that pace to continue to accelerate now that the market has reopened. •
— Canadian Pork Council
Canadian Pork
Producers Focus on Key Issues for the Industry
The Canadian pork sector is ready to tackle challenges and opportunities to ensure its sustainability following the Canadian Pork Council’s fall members’ meeting held recently in Ottawa.
Animal health and disease outbreak
preparedness
A large part of the meeting was devoted to issues surrounding the response of the industry following an outbreak of African swine fever. Participants reviewed the collaborative work being done across the government agencies and industry groups to prepare for such an eventuality. Producers, representatives from provincial pork organizations, governments and industry stakeholders then broke out into groups for a tabletop exercise that simulated an ASF outbreak in Canada. Participants were asked to consider the need for information and flow of communications.
“Animal health is vital to a strong pork industry in Canada and animal disease is a possibility that we have to contend with. The pork industry and its government partners are working in close collaboration non only to prevent such an eventuality but also prepare for a disease outbreak” explains Rick Bergmann, a pork producer from Manitoba, and Chair of the Canadian Pork Council.
Participants also worked on possible solutions to manage the surplus of animals that would arise should a foreign animal disease in Canada result in the closure of export markets. Several working groups have been working on these challenges and producers’ input is invaluable in working through situations that would impact the future of the pork industry.
Other Key Files
The Canadian pork industry also discussed some of the other challenges facing the sector. From the loss of the Chinese market, to ensuring producers get a fair price for their hogs and working with the newly elected government, pork producers provided valuable insight to help the Canadian Pork Council represent them at the national level.
Success of the Canadian pork industry
in Japan
The Canadian pork industry took the opportunity to welcome friends of the industry to celebrate the successes of the industry, specifically, the 10th year anniversary of the opening of a marketing office in Japan by Canada Pork International. Since the establishment of the Japanese office, Canadian pork exports to Japan have increased from $865,242,644 in 2009 to $1,275,348,152 in 2018. •
— Canadian Pork Council
Alert on Pig Exports to U.S.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says on its website that Americans are being fussy about export certificates for Canadian hogs entering the United States.
The CFIA says on its website that all of the details need to be checked, including a check mark to indicate which of two categories are being cited for approval to enter the U.S. along with initials of the CFIA official involved.
“The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has reported to CFIA problems with the export certificate HA1938 Export of Swine to the United States,” the CFIA says on its website.
There is no indication about whether some shipments have been blocked. •
— By Jim Romahn
African Swine Fever Poses Global Threat, Says OIE
As of early November African Swine Fever has shown up in 50 countries and is on track to claim a quarter of the global pig population before the end of this year, according to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
“I don’t think the species will be lost, but it’s the biggest threat to the commercial raising of pigs we’ve ever seen,” said OIE president Mark Schipp. “And it’s the biggest threat to any commercial livestock of our generation.
Schipp said there could be food shortages and high pork prices as well as shortfalls in products made from pigs such as heparin, the human blood thinner.
“We are really facing a threat that is global,” OIE director-general Monique Eloit told Reuters news agency.
“The risk exists for all countries, whether they are geographically close or geographically distant because there is a multitude of potential sources of contamination.” •
— By Jim Romahn
China’s Pork Prices Plunge
China’s pork prices have plunged from record highs, reported Reuters news agency on November 18th.
One reason is more culling from the north where there have been more outbreaks of African Swine Fever.
Another is that consumers won’t pay the high prices.
Pork prices hit peaks after about 40 per cent of the nation’s pigs were either killed or culled because of African Swine Fever.
October pork prices hit a high of 53.79 yuan ($7.69 US) per kilogram on the 23rd, up 188 per cent from a year earlier. Since the end of October, the price has fallen, coming down to 50 yuan on Nov. 8. •
— By Jim Romahn
CFIA Launches Story Board
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has launched an online story board with 360 science articles related to its mandate.
The CFIA said the “stories will be of interest to young Canadians, the public, industry and academia.
“Interesting stories demonstrate how CFIA continues to be a global leader in food safety, plant health and animal health – using science and innovation and supporting industry’s access to international markets.”
Among the stories is one that tells how to recognize the signs and symptoms of emerald ash borer, another about detecting food fraud and one about how detector dogs at airports help to keep prohibited food, animal and plant products out of Canada. Check the CFIA website under Chronicle.•
— By Jim Romahn
Researchers Seek Better Hog-truck
Sanitation
Several groups are collaborating with researchers to come up with better ways to disinfect hog-hauling trailers.
Dr. Terry Fonstad of the College of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan said he hopes the third phase will lead to commercialization.
Those involved include the University of Saskatchewan, the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), the Prairie Swine Centre and the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI), and others from Ontario and Wisconsin.
“PAMI’s work has now brought in partners from the robotics industry, a robotics company out of Ontario and a hydrovac system company out of Wisconsin, that are interested in combining their talents to actually perhaps commercialise the wash system,” said Dr Fonstad in an interview with The Pig Site.
“VIDO’s work will go into the field. In the lab we know we can kill these pathogens with heat but now we have to take pathogens that may have the same characteristics, but not be swine pathogens, and test them in actual bake ovens that bake trailers and make sure that we’re actually getting the kill that we need.
“They may have to be proxy pathogens. We’re working through that with them.
“The Prairie Swine Centre is working with the trailer manufacturers and we, at the College of Engineering are working with a private company called Transport Genie and Be Seen Be Safe out of Guelph that is actually already working on the humidity and temperature sensing for animal welfare and we’re going to add onto their product the ability to trace the trailer, GPS, and be able to sense the heating of the actual trailer frame for pathogen destruction,” Dr. Fonstad said. •
— By Jim Romahn
U.S. Senator Proposes COOL
Country of Origin Labeling for meats Is back on the political agenda in the United States, despite rulings that it’s illegal.
A resolution supporting COOL was introduced early November by Senator Jon Tester, a Democrat from Montana.
The United States Cattlemen’s Association supports Tester’s resolution.
“The U.S. produces the highest quality, safest, and most eco-conscious beef in the world. U.S. cattle producers deserve the opportunity to showcase their product in the retail marketplace,” said USCA Director Emeritus Leo McDonnell.
The World Trade Organization twice ruled that the U.S. COOL programs for beef and pork are illegal. They depressed hog and cattle prices in Canada and Mexico, but increased them in the U.S.
In the most recent case, the World Trade Organization gave Mexico and Canada the right to impose up to $1 billion in retaliatory tariffs. In 2015 the U.S. backed down on that COOL program introduced in 2009.
COOL cost Canadian farmers billions of losses in lower prices and millions to hire lawyers, consultants and lobbyists to fight COOL. •
— By Jim Romahn
Maple Leaf Says it’s Going “Carbon Neutral”
Maple Leaf Foods issued a news release recently to say it’s going to be “carbon neutral” and set a target to cut carbon emissions in half by 2025.
“There is simply no more time to waste. The devastating impact of climate change on our planet must be confronted head-on by business leaders with decisive and immediate action,” said Michael McCain, Maple Leaf Foods’ president and chief executive officer.
“The global food system must change dramatically if we are to sustainably feed the world’s growing population,” he said.
“ We recognize that producing nutrient-dense foods takes vital planetary resources, and we are staking our future on being carbon neutral today, and every day going forward,” he said.
The company said that since 2015, it has reduced more than 86 million kilowatt hours of electricity – equal to 12,912 passenger vehicles driven for one year — and more than 4.3 million m3 of natural gas, which equals annual energy usage for 1,000 homes.
Its conservation initiative have reduced water usage by more than 1.2 billion liters.
It claims to be “the first major food company in the world to be carbon neutral.” •
— By Jim Romahn
Livestock Antibody Hub receives US
$5.5 Million to Improve Animal Health
Researchers from The Pirbright Institute have been awarded US $5.5 million by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to establish a Livestock Antibody Hub aimed at improving animal and human health globally. The ambitious programme of work will see extensive collaboration between multiple UK research organisations in order to utilise research outcomes in livestock disease and immunology to support human health as part of the ‘One Health’ agenda.
Six leading scientists from Pirbright will be involved in the project, including Professor John Hammond, Professor Venugopal Nair, Dr Simon Graham, Dr Elma Tchilian, Professor Munir Iqbal and Dr Erica Bickerton. Their combined expert knowledge will drive the study of cattle, pig and poultry antibody responses at high resolution to expand our understanding of protective immunity in species that can also be used as models for a range of human infectious diseases.
The aim is to use Pirbright’s expertise in livestock viral diseases, cutting-edge technology and unique high-containment facilities to bring antibody discovery, manipulation and testing up to the benchmark already seen in the immunological field for rodents and humans. This highly collaborative work will address the needs of the livestock research community whilst bridging the requirements of the vaccine industry.
A number of work programmes will focus on studying B cells and antibodies at multiple scales including gene expression, single cell function and the entire antibody response. Findings from this research will be used to drive vaccine selection and design and test antibody therapies with Pirbright ultimately acting as a ‘Hub’ able to provide specific methods, access to animal models and the associated expertise to drive antibody research within the ‘One Health’ agenda.
Dr Doug Brown, Chief Executive of the British Society for Immunology, commented, “The UK is a world leader in veterinary immunology research, and this transformative investment from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will drive the next chapter of innovation in developing new treatments and prevention options against livestock diseases. This is the single biggest investment in the immunology of livestock in the UK from an international funder, and the British Society for Immunology will do all we can to support this collaborative initiative and help maximise its impact for the benefit of human and animal health.” •
— By Jim Romahn
Zoetis Announced New Research Facility
Zoetis Establishes Research Facility with Texas A&M University to Develop Vaccines for Transboundary and Emerging Diseases in Animals
Zoetis, the world’s leading animal health company, has signed an agreement with Texas A&M University’s Health Science Center for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing (CIADM) to establish a facility for accelerating the development of transboundary and emerging disease vaccines — including those for Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), a virus that can cause serious illness in cattle, pigs, and sheep. Working side by side with Zoetis scientists, CIADM staff will collaborate in the development of processes, assays, and formulations used to produce new vaccines.
As part of the agreement, Zoetis is setting up a 12,800-square-foot secure, biocontainment lab off-campus utilizing modular cleanroom technology. The Transboundary and Emerging Disease Vaccine Development Facility is expected to be operational mid-2020, pending approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to receive strains of the Zoetis FMD vaccine platform that are non-infectious to cattle and other livestock – and therefore, cannot cause the disease. While FMD vaccines will be the initial focus of the center’s vaccine development, the facility can be expanded to accommodate vaccine development for other emerging diseases in the future.
“We are proud to be working with Texas A&M in the development of this critical vaccine to protect the health of livestock in the U.S. and markets around the world. FMD is one of the most serious diseases for livestock owners, and through an innovative vaccine platform, we can help them reduce the risk of an outbreak and avoid significant economic losses,” said Dr. John Hardham, Research Director in Global Biologics Research and Director of the Zoetis Center for Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. “By combining our internal innovation efforts with world-class research institutions such as Texas A&M, Zoetis is in the best position to bring veterinarians and livestock producers solutions to better predict, prevent, detect and treat disease in the animals under their care.”
As part of establishing the new facility, the CIADM program expects initially to hire up to eight staff scientists in College Station by the first quarter of 2020. •
