Greetings I am typing this message on Victoria Day as I have just returned home from a camping trip. The weather was pretty good, actually was camping the weekend prior as well and it was +25, then in good Alberta spring fashion we had a snow storm only to be nice again on the long weekend.
As Tim’s cartoon above tells us we are in the third wave of COVID-19. Alberta case numbers a couple weeks ago were the highest per 100,000 people in all of North America, not something be proud of. With tighter restrictions and more vaccine flowing, I’m very happy to say the numbers are decreasing again, with still very high hospital numbers though. I received my first shot April 24, no side effects or issues at all.
This edition is jam packed with lots of information. Prairie Hog Country is sharing more of the back story of why a group of six have on purpose cut back their production to push or force the packers to negotiate. Thanks Andy for trusting us to share your message. Also included in a interesting take on why hog farms should install fences around their farms, disposing of unwanted pigs, a quiet first quarter for disease, heritage breeds, Manitoba legislation, MCOOL and much, much, more.
Thanks to all the producers who took time to fill out and return the annual readership survey. We will have complete results in the August edition. I appreciate the positive comments and was nice to see how many of you have been reading Prairie Hog Country for over 20 years now. As I have said many times thanks so much for the continued support of our valued readers for without them there would be nobody reading the magazines. And, an even bigger word of thanks to advertisers for without their financial support, there would be no Prairie Hog Country.  I look forward to serving you both for many years to come.
There have been so many cancelations of shows/seminars/meetings and some have been able to go the virtual route. Looking ahead to the fall we are all hopeful that we will be able to gather under one roof again. Alberta Livestock Expo in October might be the first time we are allowed to have a trade show since Cramer Expo in February 2019. Red Deer Swine Technology Worship is also hoping to have an in-person evert in October. In communication with Ashley from Banff Pork Seminar a few weeks ago they too are hoping for an in-person event but had not yet made the final decision either way.
It is photo contest time again. Be sure to send in your Kodak moments by July 19th for a chance to claim top prize in the photo contest plus have an opportunity to have photos included in 2022 calendar. As in previous years please send only photos that are a positive reflection of our industry. Remember to send in high resolution photos. See more details page 30.
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 August. Stay safe and stay healthy.