Derek Johnson Manitoba’s ag minister said managing the pig flow on top of the pandemic, and extreme weather events was a real challenge for hog producers in Manitoba.  
Also, droughts and suddenly going to excess moisture from one extreme to the other, but hey, it’s Manitoba. Where else would that happen?  
Johnson, speaking at the recent Manitoba Swine Seminar said the drought of 2021 drove up commodity prices, and the cost of raising a pig was at an all-time high. Also, Manitoba saw one of the longest and most difficult PED virus outbreaks in southern Manitoba. 
Through these challenges, our Manitoba swine industry stood strong and resilient.  
“Thank you for enduring those hardships and coming out successful. I know the industry continues working very hard to overcome difficulties in recent times.” 
The ag minister related how the decent grain crop in 2022 was important and welcome news. This good crop will help decrease the price of feed and therefore increase profitability. 
There’s also good news regarding education efforts underway in the sector. The new swine production program at ACC or Assiniboine Community College will help train future employees for the swine industry. The program will ensure producers raise pigs in a competent and welfare-friendly manner, fully informed by the best science and experience available. 
“Our government continues to work with the swine industry to position it for success and to manage risk. We are proud to work in partnership with Manitoba Pork as we develop an African Swine Fever response plan.” 
That’s so important, meeting with people around the country, other ministers of agriculture and in North America.  
“We all have the same fear. If you don’t have a plan in place, we’ll negotiate in times of war and it will never work out too well.” 
Johnson said Manitoba relies heavily on trade with other countries. As the pigs head south and feed comes north, it is vital to maintain this supply chain.   
“We must look at our zones rather than the 49th parallel being the zone.” 

The minister said it’s crucial for Manitoba especially, to be effective, more so than any other province because about 20 per cent of the agriculture GDP comes from the pork industry in Manitoba. Other provinces would have the capability to consume their pork, whereas Manitoba exports 80 per cent.  
“As much as I like bacon, I don’t think we could consume it all, so it’s important to have that plan in place. This integrated partnership will ensure a successful plan if we have an outbreak of ASF. Although, knocking on wood and crossing our fingers won’t keep it away. We have to have that plan in place.” 
Johnson said and linked to this is the Manitoba government’s plan to increase the number of veterinarians able to support the livestock industry.  
“ASF is a serious disease and we are responding to these challenges by ensuring that we have the veterinarian support we need in our province.” 
Beginning in 2023 the government is increasing the number of dedicated Manitoba veterinary school spaces at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, SK. This increase of 33 per cent over 15 to 20 years will end up supporting 80 veterinarians in any given year as it’s almost a four-year program with 20 new entrants per year. More vet space is a real positive for agriculture in Manitoba, not just in the swine industry but in agriculture as a whole. 
The other good news is Manitoba wants to attract graduating veterinarians to practice in support of the livestock industry and has targeted the selection criteria for these five new seats. •
— By Harry Siemens