Design Concrete Expands Team
Jim Haggins is pleased to announce that Rich Smith will join him as representatives of Design Concrete for western Canada.
“Rich has worked in the agriculture industry for more than four decades, bringing an impressive amount of knowledge and experience,” said Haggins. “From his many connections in the livestock sector, we know he will be a great business asset and advocate for our products and services.”
In the course of his career as an agricultural engineer, Smith has worked extensively on policies, regulations, approvals, design, construction and management of livestock housing. After 16 years with the former Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, he joined the private sector in 1997 and has worked in several capacities as an engineering and environment manager for companies such as Sunterra Farms and Elite Swine. From 2007 until 2020, Rich served as Executive Director of Alberta Beef Producers. •

Fast Genetics Hires Jarno Schutte as Account Manager
Fast Genetics is pleased to announce that Jarno Schutte has been appointed as Account Manager and will be located near Lethbridge, Alberta. He will be responsible for maintaining current clients and developing new relationships in the industry. Jarno will be reporting to the Western Canadian Sales Manager, Brad Gampe.
Jarno and his family immigrated to Canada from
Holland and settled down on a pig farm. Working along side his father, Jarno developed his passion for raising pigs. At the age of 13, he started working on neighboring pig farms where he learned the ins and outs of the industry until he eventually started his own farrow to finish operation in Abbotsford, British Columbia which focused on supplying the barbecue pig market. Jarno also spent seven years on the BC Hog Marketing Commission.
In his free time, Jarno enjoys spending time with his wife and six kids outdoors.
Fast Genetics is very excited to welcome Jarno and believe that his experience and involvement in the industry will most definitely be an asset for our team. •

Bernie Heads Home to the UK
A Lacombe-based entrepreneur whose contributions to Alberta’s swine industry belie the short period of time he spent here is heading back to the Old Country.
Bernie Peet and his wife, Cathy have advised their circle of friends that they are returning to Warwick, UK to spend the balance of their lives among family whom they haven’t been able to see in the past two years.
“We’ve had 20 great years in Canada and want to thank you all for being part of that experience. We are going to miss the wide open skies and the space, but not the long winters,” Peet wrote in an email to friends on September 13.
Peet had a huge impact on Alberta’s pork industry, bringing his expertise with Danbred bloodstock to a producer partnership based in Lacombe. He worked for a number of years as editor of the Western Hog Journal and also managed the Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop. Peet was recognized in 2014 when he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Alberta Pork Congress after only 13 years in the province. As president of his own business, Pork Chain Consulting, Peet chalked up thousands of miles of frequent flier points and was a frequent contributor to agricultural newspapers, including Alberta Farmer Express.
Godspeed Bernie and Cathy. We will miss you dearly and hope you are able to keep your promise of returning for a few more visits. •
— By Brenda Kossowan

Porkapalooza Winner
Congratulations to SmellaQue (Janice & Russell Smella) the Porkapalooza 2021 Grand Champion for the second time in a row! They swept all four Kansas City Barbeque Society categories – chicken, ribs, pork and brisket. Porkapalooza took place August 14 & 15 at Half Moon Lake, east of Edmonton, teams came from across western Canada. Those in attendance gave it their all at our (unfortunately) closed event.

Thanks to all teams, judges, sponsors and organizers who made it possible. We hope to welcome public guests back in-person next year!
‘Like’ and ‘follow’ Porkapalooza, Taste Alberta and Passion for Pork to keep up with the latest exciting news and success stories from the Alberta agri-food industry.
Alberta Pork is a proud sponsor of this event. •

Pig Sector Suffers Loss
Edmund Wayne Collingridge, 78, of Roseisle, MB, passed away peacefully at home on July 23, 2021 surrounded by loved ones. 
 Wayne was a farmer at heart and an entrepreneur, dedicating most of his life to the purebred hog industry. Many of the heritage breeds owe their existence in Canada to Wayne’s perseverance to establishing or maintaining this industry.
Wayne and Leora ran semi-annual auction sales as well as marketing hogs worldwide for at least 50 years. They established a network marketing system with other farmers where the purebred Berkshire meat was exported to Japan.  
Wayne had a well rounded personality that everyone enjoyed. He could make friends with anyone, anywhere. He loved the Iowa State fair, the Minnesota Twins and Nashville, Tennessee. He loved to help his family and his friends with anything they asked. Wayne was a great storyteller, all his stories were true, although perhaps slightly embellished.  The loves of his life were his family, especially those fifteen grandchildren.   •