As I am penning this the unique times continue, some families are settling back into fall routines with school starting and the combines are going at solid pace trying to get this year’s crop off and in the bin. While fall is here, it still looks quite different, when passing people in the grocery, equipment or supply store or meeting a colleague you can tell they are smiling under their mask, not that you can see their smile but eye shape changes when we smile.
Usually in this edition I would be reminding you how important it is to keep producers informed and educated, quite often at the fall shows, seminars and trade shows. Some seminars will move forward on a virtual platform, both the Alberta Livestock Expo in Lethbridge along with Prairie Livestock Expo in Winnipeg have been cancelled for this year. As the organizers have confirmed they are unable to hold them with proper distancing while adhering to provincial guidelines. The Sask Pork Symposium will take place as a virtual event, as will Banff Pork Seminar. Even provincial pork boards have moved to online Zoom AGM meetings. Manitoba Pork Council was held back on July 29th, while Alberta Pork will hold theirs November 26th.
We have learned very recently how one pig, in this case one infected wild boar, can upset a one billion dollar pig sector. When speaking with PHCs’ own Harry Siemens, recently he’d just got off a skype call with Dr. John Carr, who stated the whole industry will be up in shock. It was about an hour after than the news broke about Germany and the new bans implemented against them.
Following up with today’s release (when I am typing this) Rick Bergman, in his letter from the Canadian Pork Council, was reminding all in the pig sector how important prevention is. How fast our borders would too close if ASF was detected within our borders. Rick also reminds us that when borders closed to beef exports 20 years ago because of BSE still has lingering consequences. While COVID-19 seems to have been top of mind for many the importance of prevention from ASF has never been more important.
There is still time to submit photos for consideration for the 2021 PHC Calendar, final deadline is October 31st.
Looking ahead 2021 will be the 25th year of publishing Prairie Hog Country and I could not be more excited to still be able to bring you the latest hog news and information, direct six times per year. I am so hoping and praying that COVID-19 will be more under control so we will be able to see each other at shows, seminars, conferences, barn openings etc. The complete list of release dates for next year is on page 49.  Should you or any company you represent want more information on or about PHC or how to get your message direct into the producer’s hands including all the Colonies please do let me know. Thanks for your past, present and future support.
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I am reminded how blessed we are in Canada, even with this pandemic, compared to many other places on the globe. Remember to spend the holiday with those who mean the most, even if it is distantly across a larger room, garage or Quonset, or online with Zoom.
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.  •