New DanBred Collaboration
The Canadian pig genetics company Alliance Genetics Canada and the Danish pig genetics company DanBred have entered into a valuable collaboration to establish DanBred Canada.
The goal of the establishment of DanBred Canada is to continue to provide excellent service and high-quality breeding animals to the Canadian pig producers, as both companies have the needs of the pig producers as the very foundation of the business. The established customer base in Canada will gain from an even stronger R&D engine, while still interacting with the experts they already know from Alliance Genetics Canada.
DanBred Canada is grateful to continue to work alongside the three families VistaVilla Genetics, Sand Ridge Genetics, and Clarion Swine Genetics. The collaboration between the two genetics companies will give the customers local access to the solid breeding engine that is DanBred. Alliance Genetics Canada becomes a part of DanBred’s world-class breeding system: “Our focus is always on how to better the product we deliver to our customers, and this partnership is what we needed to take our local expertise the next step,” says Dave Vandenbroek, CEO of DanBred Canada. On top of that, DanBred will benefit from Alliance Genetics Canada’s strong position as a trusted partner with solid knowledge of the Canadian pig industry. •

CFIA Winnipeg Lab Wins Global Recognition
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s lab at Winnipeg has won global recognition as one of seven reference labs for foreign animal diseases, including African Swine Fever.
The seven global labs are designated as World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) Reference Laboratories.
The CFIA said it learned of the designation last week and it included Dr. Aruna Ambagala as Canada’s designated expert for African Swine Fever.
“These laboratories play a critical role in the international monitoring and control of animal diseases, in applied research, as well as in providing support for diagnosis, training and advice to member countries,” CFIA said.
“This designation by the WOAH is a sign of Canada’s scientific excellence and demonstrates Canada’s increasing ability, capacity, and readiness to detect and respond to an outbreak of ASF as well as support global efforts to manage the disease.” •
— By Jim Romahn

Alberta Co-op Gives Employees $2,000
United Farmers of Alberta Co-operative is giving its employees two payments for $1,000 each to offset the impact of inflation.
It will go to all but senior-level positions and fits with UFA’s history of rewarding and recognizing their team members.
The first payments will be made at the end of the month, the second in December.
“This announcement is both compassionate and strategic and it’s very much in keeping with our co-operative values and purposeful trajectory of UFA’s culture,” said president and chief executive officer Scott Bolton.
“The resilience and dedication of our team is the most important asset we have. We have always strived to create a service-led environment, a place where people genuinely want to give their best selves in helping our members and customers, and where they feel a sense of belonging, and a sense of safety. Particularly after the challenges faced over the last two years, we need to assure our team that we’re grateful for them and we have their back,” he said.
UFA earlier handed out spot bonuses during the COVID-19 pandemic. •
— By Jim Romahn

Pig Planters Donated
Huge thanks to Gerald Maschmeyer who donated pig planters that were hand made by his father, the late Doug Maschmeyer, as door prizes at Alberta Pork Congress. They attracted lots of attention and conversation. Thanks Kate for adding the ferns, they looked great.
Lucky winners of the two planters were members of Leedale Colony. •