A year ago in the April/May 2020 edition of Prairie Hog Country I typed a note about usually not at a loss for words, but not sure what to say. Well fast-forward to April/May 2021 and I am still not really sure what to say. Yes, we are getting used multiple zoom meetings & live streams, and all have dry cracked hands from the amount of washing and hand sanitizer, but here we are still in this pandemic situation. We are ready for it to be done so we can see each other in person, shake hands, hug old friends, share times and laughs together, and attend shows/seminars/meetings.
Speaking of tradeshows, both Cramer Expo that had been rescheduled to May and Alberta Pork Congress in June have been cancelled. With current restrictions and regulations, it is just not possible to host shows right now. We are all thinking positive that by the fall we will be able to resume in person events, check out Pork Chops for list of dates right up to and including Banff Pork Seminar next January.
To say that pork producers were disappointed that the federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture could not come to a consensus on Canada Ag minister proposal to improve payment rate for AgriStability is an understatement. Canadian pork producers have encountered huge challenges over the past year. See story on page 7 for more details.
Olymel in Red Deer is back up and running after being closed for 14 days. Alberta Health Services says the outbreak is now over, there were 518 employees’ infected and very sadly three deaths that occurred. It is good news that meat packing plant staffs are eligible in round 2C for their COVID-19 vaccination.
Stress often goes hand and hand with faming, with so many things out of your control, weather, pricing, US dollar, plant shut downs just to name a few. Which was one of the topics that were covered on the virtual installment of Alberta Farm Animal Care Livestock Conference. Remember if you are feeling overwhelmed there is help available; there is nothing to be ashamed of if you need to talk to somebody to assist you through. Farmers have been known to think they have to “suck it up – push through,” well don’t.
Also included in this issue is our annual readership survey, please take the time to fill out and get back. You can mail it; fax it or scan and email.  One of the questions included is how long have you been reading Prairie Hog Country? I always love it when producers tell me that they have been reading PHC for years, well now that we are in our 25th year of publishing for some of you it has been over two decades. Thanks so very much for your continued support and dedication.
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 June. Stay safe and stay healthy. •